A COUNCIL taking legal action over plans to house male asylum seekers at a former North Yorkshire RAF base has issued an update on the situation today.

Hambleton District Council launched a legal challenge to the government's decision to house up to 1,500 asylum seekers at the ex-RAF base at Linton on Ouse.

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The plans for the centre, announced in early April, were met with anger and dismay by local residents who were concerned for their safety and the lack of amenities in the area for the asylum seekers.

Their objections were backed by Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake who says the base is an entirely unsuitable location for the immigrants.

Initially the first intake of asylum seekers was expected to arrive at Linton on Ouse at the end of May but the final decision on converting the base has stalled.

Today (Wednesday, June 8) Councillor Mark Robson, leader of Hambleton District Council issued an update on the matter.

He said: “At a meeting of Cabinet held yesterday, members were reminded of the individual actions we’ve taken as a council so far.

"This includes external legal advice, in response to the Government’s plan to use the former RAF site at Linton-on-Ouse as a centre for asylum seekers.

“Cabinet was updated that we are now awaiting responses from the Home Office to both the Planning Contravention Notice and the Pre-Action Protocol letter.

"We expect to have received both responses by early next week.

“At present we continue to understand that no final decision has been taken by Ministers to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton and that we will receive seven days’ notice from the Home Office should they intend to begin moving people onto the site.

“A definitive decision on the council’s next steps is not possible at this point, as we are still awaiting substantive responses to the Planning Contravention Notice and Pre-Action Protocol letter.

"Once these responses are received, they will be carefully considered and assessed alongside the legal advice the council receives before Cabinet agree the next steps.

“In the meantime, local councillors continue to support and be in dialogue with the local community, on both a one-to-one basis and in their attendance at community meetings.”

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