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Ripon MP opposes plans for 1,250-person asylum centre

Monday, 27 July 2026 12:13

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith has joined fellow MPs in opposing Government plans to accommodate up to 1,250 asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site.

The Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE has signed a cross-party letter to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, alongside MPs from North Yorkshire and York, urging the Government to reconsider the proposal.

The letter, led by North Yorkshire Council Leader Cllr Carl Les OBE, follows a unanimous vote by North Yorkshire Council opposing the plans.

It raises concerns about the site's rural location, limited infrastructure and transport links, the potential impact on local services, value for money and the proximity of the proposed accommodation centre to an established residential community and local school.

The letter also criticises what it describes as a lack of consultation with local authorities and residents before the proposal was announced.

Sir Julian Smith said:

"I have signed this letter because I believe the proposed accommodation centre at Linton-on-Ouse is the wrong solution in the wrong location.

"Linton-on-Ouse is a small rural community with limited infrastructure, transport links and local services. It is impossible to see how a facility of this size, with often undocumented asylum seekers could safely work.

"I am also concerned about the potential impact on local infrastructure, community cohesion and future development plans for the area and for North Yorkshire more widely. There is also potentially huge knock-on impact of demand for police and other services drawing them away for our area."

The MPs have called on the Government to reconsider using the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site for the proposed accommodation centre.

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