Residents of a small Oxfordshire village have launched a public campaign against plans to accommodate up to 1,250 male asylum seekers at a nearby former military site, arguing that the proposed development is unsuitable for the local community.
Piddington, which has a population of around 350 people, has become the centre of debate over government plans to distribute asylum accommodation more widely across the country.
Villagers have expressed frustration over the proposed site at Bicester barracks, claiming the decision was made without enough consideration for local concerns.
Symbolic independence vote highlights anger
The strength of opposition has led residents to back a symbolic referendum on whether Piddington should leave the United Kingdom.
The move, supported by the parish council, is intended as a protest over what locals describe as a lack of representation and communication from authorities.
Parish council chairman Tim McNally said residents felt ignored and believed the referendum reflected growing frustration over decisions being made without their input.
He said the community was not objecting simply because of its location or demographics, but because residents believed the scale of the proposed site would place significant pressure on a small village.
Villagers reject claims about wealthy areas
The debate follows comments from Prime Minister and political figures arguing that asylum accommodation should not be concentrated only in poorer communities and that all parts of the country should contribute.
Residents in Piddington have rejected the suggestion that their concerns are linked to the area’s relative wealth.
McNally said people in the village work hard and choose rural living because of the community environment, arguing that higher property values should not mean residents have fewer concerns about public services, safety or infrastructure.
Other villagers have also insisted that the issue is not about social class but about whether the area can support such a large number of new arrivals.
Safety concerns dominate local opposition
Resident Melise Witkin said the community’s objections were focused on safety rather than wealth.
She pointed out that the village has fewer than 400 residents, including dozens of children, and argued that the arrival of 1,250 men would significantly change everyday life.
Residents have also raised concerns about the site’s location, claiming the surrounding area has limited facilities, poor pedestrian access and few activities available for those staying at the accommodation.
Farmers and long-term residents voice objections
Graham Burchell, who has farmed in Piddington since 1970, said he believed the village had already experienced pressure from other developments and did not need the additional burden of a large asylum accommodation site.
He argued that the lack of local amenities, including shops and community facilities, would make the location unsuitable for both residents and asylum seekers.
Burchell said he supported the principle of sharing responsibility but believed the proposed site represented too much pressure on the area.
Government says concerns will be considered
Andy Burnham, who was questioned about the issue, said he was willing to listen to residents and examine their concerns.
He acknowledged that establishing secure accommodation facilities could be challenging but said the country could not rely on only poorer communities to provide asylum housing.
Burnham said every part of the country should play a role and promised to look into the issues raised by Piddington residents.
Debate continues over national asylum distribution
The dispute comes amid wider discussions about how asylum seekers receiving government support are distributed across the UK.
Figures show some local authority areas currently have no taxpayer-supported asylum seekers, with many of those areas being rural or scenic locations.
The debate over distribution has intensified as the government seeks alternatives to hotel accommodation, which officials argue is expensive.
For Piddington residents, however, the proposed Bicester barracks site remains a major concern, with villagers continuing to campaign against what they describe as an unsuitable development for their community.
