Priti objects to asylum housing plans for Braintree District
During a debate in the House of Commons (29th March 2023), the Witham MP Priti Patel has raised objections to plans for asylum seekers to be housed at the former air force base at Wethersfield. The rural site, located in the neighbouring Braintree constituency, could be used to accommodate hundreds of asylum seekers who have entered the UK illegally, while their claims are processed. Braintree District Council has also highlighted concerns about the suitability of the site and is initiating legal proceedings to secure an injunction against this decision.
Priti said: “Plans to house thousands of illegal migrants in Braintree District should be scrapped. This is a rural site which is unsuitable to accommodate this scale of additional population and it does not have the infrastructure or public services in place. I support the Council in pursuing an injunction and will continue to press the Government to abandon these ill-thought through plans.”