RAF Scampton, once the launch site of the legendary Dambusters raid in 1943, is making headlines again—but this time, not for its wartime heroics.
The Lincolnshire air base, steeped in history, is now at the center of a heated row over government plans to use it as accommodation for asylum seekers.
For many locals, the issue feels like déjà vu, with communities bracing themselves for another round of protests.
Labour Reopens a Controversial Idea
The Labour government has confirmed it is reviewing Ministry of Defence land, including Scampton, as part of a push to close hotels currently housing asylum seekers.
Defence minister Luke Pollard said temporary accommodation centres could be set up on old military sites to speed up the process.
That has reignited anger in Scampton, where residents thought they had fought off similar plans under the Conservatives last year.
Local Fury Returns
Villagers say they feel blindsided by the U-turn.
Steve Plews, landlord of the only pub in Scampton—the aptly named Dambuster’s Arms—said the community is ready to fight again.
“It was alright for our lads to live there when it was an RAF base,” he argued, “but now they’re spending millions to make it ‘liveable’ for asylum seekers. It’s a typical Labour U-turn.”
Ex-RAF engineer Andy Pickett, sipping a pint beneath memorabilia of the Dambusters raid, agreed the scheme was doomed.
He explained that many of the old buildings are structurally unsound, riddled with asbestos, and would cost a fortune to renovate.
Hopes of a Regeneration Project
The renewed debate comes as a blow to those hoping Scampton could become a hub for aviation heritage and tourism.
A £300 million regeneration plan, backed by West Lindsey District Council, envisions a hotel, museum, and attractions linked to the Red Arrows.
Locals fear the asylum centre plan could jeopardize these ambitions.
Voices from the Village
For long-term resident Edy Hammonds, who has lived in Scampton for nearly four decades, the news was crushing.
“I thought it couldn’t be true. We’ll fight harder this time,” he said.
Others worry about the impact on house prices, safety, and the village’s already-limited infrastructure. “We haven’t even got a shop,” one local pointed out. “There’s just a pub—and that’s it.”
Costs and Concerns
The last attempt to use Scampton as a migrant centre cost the government at least £48 million before Labour scrapped it in 2024, calling it poor value for money.
Yet the Ministry of Defence has not ruled out reviving the scheme, and the Home Office insists it is exploring “cheaper, more appropriate sites” to reduce reliance on hotels.
Anger Beyond Lincolnshire
The row in Scampton comes as other towns are also battling against migrant accommodation plans.
In Essex, fury erupted after the government won an appeal to keep 138 asylum seekers in a local hotel, despite weeks of protests.
Demonstrations have spread to Chichester, Cheshunt, and Bournemouth, reflecting the national scale of opposition.
Council Pushes Back
West Lindsey District Council has made its stance clear: Scampton is “wholly unsuitable.”
Planning chief Sally Grindrod-Smith highlighted heritage concerns, contamination risks, and limited infrastructure.
Instead, the council is pressing ahead with its regeneration bid, saying the site’s future should benefit communities, not create disruption.
A Clash Between History and Policy
For many in Scampton, the issue isn’t just about numbers—it’s about identity.
A base tied to Britain’s wartime story is now tangled in the country’s modern immigration debate.
With locals promising to fight once again, the village that once shaped history may now find itself shaping government policy.