UK Approves Asylum Centre Near Piddington Despite Village’s ‘Independence’ Referendum

Updated 6 min 22 sec ago

November 13, 2026 09:16

London: The British government on Thursday approved plans to convert the former MOD Bicester storage site into temporary accommodation for more than 1,200 asylum seekers, most of them single men aged between 18 and 65. The Labour administration, which has been under pressure to rehouse asylum seekers currently housed in hotels, intends to open several reception centres on disused military premises.

The approved site is located near the village of Piddington, a community of 350 residents 25 km (15 mi) from Oxford. Piddington residents held a symbolic referendum in September to protest the development, with 285 of the 312 votes cast favouring secession from the United Kingdom and “pursuing self‑determination.” While the vote has no legal effect, it generated international headlines and briefly placed the village at the centre of the UK’s asylum and immigration debate.

Local opposition escalated into protests over the summer, with residents expressing safety concerns—particularly for women. Housing and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner confirmed the decision, stating that “full planning permission has been granted for the temporary, phased use of the former MOD Bicester storage site.”

Greg Smith, a Conservative MP whose constituency borders the site, condemned the approval as a “disaster.” “This is totally outrageous and proves this government don’t give two hoots about us,” he posted on X, adding that he would challenge the decision.

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