Bicester campaigners take first legal step against MOD asylum accommodation plans

Campaigners fighting plans to house asylum seekers at MOD Bicester have taken the first formal step towards a judicial review.

A pre-action protocol letter was sent on 16th September 2026 by law firm Khift Ltd, acting on behalf of Bicester Countryside and Communities CIC.

The proposed development would accommodate up to 1,256 men seeking asylum.

The letter challenges the Government's environmental screening direction of 26th August 2026, which concluded that the plan does not require a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

It is a formal pre-action step towards an intended judicial review. It does not amount to a court ruling and does not itself suspend the planning process.

Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said local people have "taken the first formal step towards a judicial review over MOD Bicester".

"I've worked closely with the campaign since helping bring residents together this summer, and strongly support this challenge," he said.

"Their lawyers raise serious questions about the decision that a full Environmental Impact Assessment is unnecessary. Cherwell's planning committee has also delivered a devastating assessment, yet ministers have refused to give residents more time to comment."

He added: "The Government cannot keep rushing this through while basic questions remain unanswered. This is the wrong site for local communities, for people seeking asylum and for taxpayers. Ministers should withdraw the application today."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Appropriate surveys have been carried out, and it has already been concluded the proposal is unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment."

The Home Office said it would be inappropriate to comment in detail on a live planning application which remains under consideration.

It said it is for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to determine, as part of the planning process, whether the appropriate databases have been consulted and the necessary assessments carried out.

The department added that the screening direction issued in August confirmed the proposal is not classified as Environmental Impact Assessment development, meaning an Environmental Statement was not required to accompany the Urgent Crown Development application.

Mr Miller says he brought concerned people together through public meetings in June and July and supported the formation of the local campaign group.

He met Home Office Minister Anna Turley on 14th September and later wrote seeking an extension of the representation period to 21 days.

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