Menu
06/04/2004
Council's legal challenge to Bicester asylum centre fails
A district council's attempt to force a judicial review of the government's decision to develop an asylum centre near Bicester in Oxfordshire has failed, it emerged today.
Cherwell District Council was challenging the decision by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to approve planning permission for the development of a 750-bed accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Piddington, near Bicester.
However, the Administrative Court in London refused the council's legal challenge. Mr Justice Collins ruled that there were no legal grounds for the decision to be overturned.
The council won permission from the High Court last January to proceed with its judicial review of the decision. Following today's ruling, the council confirmed that its lawyers have asked for leave to appeal the judgment, subject to detailed consideration of the written legal judgment.
The Council will be taking advice from its legal team before considering the matter further, leader of Cherwell District Council, Cllr George Reynolds, said.
Mr Reynolds said that the issue had generated "strong feelings locally".
He added: "We are naturally very disappointed at this outcome. We have always felt that the process and decision-making were flawed. We will now be studying the written judgment very carefully to assess whether there are grounds for further appeal."
Home Office Minister Des Browne welcomed the court's ruling and said that the trial of accommodation centres was an "essential part of our reforms to overhaul the asylum system" and there was now an urgent need to get them up and running as quickly as possible.
"The centres will help us set up an end-to-end system allowing us to quickly process asylum claims while keeping in better contact with asylum seekers and removing those whose claims fail," he said.
Mr Browne added: "I hope that the local community will work with us as we develop our plans in Bicester and drive forward with our reforms to create an asylum system that all people can have trust and confidence in."
(gmcg)
Cherwell District Council was challenging the decision by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to approve planning permission for the development of a 750-bed accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Piddington, near Bicester.
However, the Administrative Court in London refused the council's legal challenge. Mr Justice Collins ruled that there were no legal grounds for the decision to be overturned.
The council won permission from the High Court last January to proceed with its judicial review of the decision. Following today's ruling, the council confirmed that its lawyers have asked for leave to appeal the judgment, subject to detailed consideration of the written legal judgment.
The Council will be taking advice from its legal team before considering the matter further, leader of Cherwell District Council, Cllr George Reynolds, said.
Mr Reynolds said that the issue had generated "strong feelings locally".
He added: "We are naturally very disappointed at this outcome. We have always felt that the process and decision-making were flawed. We will now be studying the written judgment very carefully to assess whether there are grounds for further appeal."
Home Office Minister Des Browne welcomed the court's ruling and said that the trial of accommodation centres was an "essential part of our reforms to overhaul the asylum system" and there was now an urgent need to get them up and running as quickly as possible.
"The centres will help us set up an end-to-end system allowing us to quickly process asylum claims while keeping in better contact with asylum seekers and removing those whose claims fail," he said.
Mr Browne added: "I hope that the local community will work with us as we develop our plans in Bicester and drive forward with our reforms to create an asylum system that all people can have trust and confidence in."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2005
Asylum applications fall by 11%
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. It was announced that 6,220 asylum seekers, excluding dependents, arrived in the UK between April and June this year.
Asylum applications fall by 11%
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. It was announced that 6,220 asylum seekers, excluding dependents, arrived in the UK between April and June this year.
17 May 2005
Asylum applications fall by 17%
Asylum applications dropped by 17% over the first three months of 2005, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. The Home Office’s quarterly statistics also showed that monthly applications are now at their lowest level since March 1997.
Asylum applications fall by 17%
Asylum applications dropped by 17% over the first three months of 2005, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. The Home Office’s quarterly statistics also showed that monthly applications are now at their lowest level since March 1997.
25 May 2004
Asylum applications fall by a fifth: government figures
The number of asylum applications has fallen by a fifth in the past quarter, according to statistics published today. The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics which found that asylum applications has nose-dived by more than 60% since October 2002.
Asylum applications fall by a fifth: government figures
The number of asylum applications has fallen by a fifth in the past quarter, according to statistics published today. The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics which found that asylum applications has nose-dived by more than 60% since October 2002.
24 August 2004
Home Office hails fall in asylum applications
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% between April and June this year, and is now at its lowest level since the same three months in 1997, according to government figures published today.
Home Office hails fall in asylum applications
The number of asylum applications fell by 11% between April and June this year, and is now at its lowest level since the same three months in 1997, according to government figures published today.
01 March 2005
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
