March 30, 2023 11.05 am This story is over 13 months old

Scampton councillor disgusted over Home Office’s plans for former RAF base

He blames the Home Office for the mess

By Local Democracy Reporter

The councillor for Scampton has said the loss of a £300m redevelopment deal for RAF Scampton is “scandalous”.

Despite the Home Office’s plans to house migrants on the site being given the green light, West Lindsey District Council Vice Chairman Roger Patterson (Conservative) insists the site is “totally unsuitable”.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick made the long-awaited announcement during a House of Commons speech on Wednesday, confirming that up to 1,500 refugees would be housed in portacabins on the RAF base while they await processing.

The move has scuppered a £300 million “landmark deal” that would preserve, protect and enhance the site – creating thousands of jobs.

RAF Scampton | Photo: James Turner

In response to the news, Councillor Patterson told The Lincolnite: “We’ve already seen what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does to communities in Lincolnshire and West Lindsey when they just pull out and the council is left to pick up the bills and pieces.

“It’s not even about asylum seekers, it could be scouts, it could be anybody. That site is not suitable.

“There are other sites available and to lose a £300 million investment for this is scandalous.

“I personally blame the Home Office, the civil servants and their incompetence and the ministers that go along with it. They should have sorted this out a long long time ago.”

He continued: “If we didn’t have this deal, I would not be sitting here arguing about anyone coming to that place if the camp was okay to house them.”

Save Our Scampton signs have started to appear in the area. | Image: Melanie & David Neham

While bitterly disappointed, the Tory councillor said he remains optimistic that the redevelopment could still happen in the future.

West Lindsey District Council says it is exploring all legal options to stop government plans.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: “All parts of Government want to work closely with local authorities to mitigate the issues that will arise as a result of this site. There will be a significant package of support for his constituents.

“There will be specific protections for the unique heritage on the site. We do not intend to make any use of the historic buildings.”

The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.

Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.

Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.

The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.

Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:

  • SME of the Year
  • Family Business of the Year
  • International Business Achiever of the Year
  • Business Innovation/Innovator of the Year
  • Emerging Business of the Year
  • Charitable Business of the Year
  • Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year
  • Rising Star of the Year
  • Business Leader of the Year
  • Business of the Year
  • Tech Business of the Year

Nominate now! Entries open on the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.

The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29. The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.

The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.

For more details on the categories, sponsors, and judges, visit the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.


Reasons to enter:

  • Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
  • Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
  • Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
  • Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
  • Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
  • Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.

A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.

Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.


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