British election result may change outcome for former RAF Scampton
The Labour landslide victory in the recent UK general election may positively affect the fate of former RAF Scampton, with the new Prime Minister pledging to halt the asylum seeker camp planned for the premises.
According to the BBC News, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to halt the proposed development “as quickly as possible,” with the 800-acre site in Lincolnshire instead able to be used for aviation, heritage, tourism, education and research.
At least, that’s the hope of Scampton Holdings, which had been working with the former government on its ‘levelling up’ plans. In March 2023, Scampton Holdings agreed to a deal worth £300 million with West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) to revive the site and implement a multi-year plan for its ongoing use.
However, the regeneration plan has been fraught with issues; not least the Conservative government’s subsequent proceedings to attempt to acquire the site to house single male asylum seekers. Despite WLDC issuing the Home Office with a Stop Notice (believing it to be in breach of planning control regulations “relating specifically to the listed buildings and archaeology on the site”), no firm outcome had yet been reached.
In April 2024, the Home Office also conceded that its first estimated cost to set up an asylum centre at the former RAF Scampton site fell “woefully short” of its initial £5 million estimate, revealing the cost to be closer to £27 million.
In a statement, Scampton Holdings said it is now “extremely positive about working with the Labour Government to expedite plans for the site and prevent further delays to the development, ensuring a true ‘levelling-up’ initiative for the region”.
