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Search the Public Notice PortalAround 200 people gathered outside a military base to protest against plans to use it to house asylum seekers.
The protest erupted following the Government’s announcement it planned to use RAF Barnham to provide the accommodation.
It was chosen alongside two others, in Bicester and at MoD Linton-on-Ouse, to house up to 3,750 migrants between them.
Jane Olah, who organised the protest, said the announcement left residents in the village and nearby communities in fear and challenged the notion the demonstration was stoking up division.
Concerns have been raised over the claims the base will house more than 1,000 single male migrants.
“These men don’t belong here in these small communities; they don’t belong here at all,” she said.
The announcement is part of the Government’s plans to close all asylum hotels by 2029, with 20 now shut.
Ms Olah, a Norwich resident and member of The Pink Ladies – a grassroots, anti-immigration group – raised concerns over criminality, particularly around sexual assault against women and children.
The protest, which grew to around 200 people at its peak, led to the A134 being blocked in both directions for about 20 minutes.
Following the announcement on Thursday evening, those living in the village shared a mixed view on the government's plans.
Common anti-immigration terms featured often in several of the speeches made throughout the protest, including ‘invasion’ and ‘illegal alien’.
The event was also attended by several members of Suffolk County Council’s new Reform UK administration.
Cllr Michael Hadwen, the authority’s leader, said he was ‘horrified’ by the plans.
“We should stop using hotels, and we shouldn’t be using military bases; they shouldn’t be in the country,” he said.
“These people should be deported.”
Suffolk Constabulary, which had officers on site, said no arrests were made.
Before migrants can move in, the Government normally requires planning permission from the council to change the base’s use.
However, in the past it has used special powers to bypass the local planning process; it is unclear whether it intends to do so for RAF Barnham.
‘Straight answers’
The Government’s announcement has attracted a range of reactions from across the county, including the two MPs for the area.
Dr Peter Prinsley, the MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, which includes Barnham, said residents deserved ‘clarity, meaningful consultation and reassurance’.
Nick Timothy, the MP for neighbouring West Suffolk, said: “The Government cannot expect communities to accept decisions of this magnitude while being kept in the dark.
“My constituents deserve straight answers, not another holding letter.”
Both have separately written to the Government asking for details around its timeline for the base, the safety measures in place and the length of stay for asylum seekers.
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