Barnham RAF Camp
The Home Office announced on Thursday, 25 June 2026, that they are considering proposals to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham, also known as Barnham Camp.
This page will be updated on the latest information or links to where updates can be found.
Ministerial statement made on Monday, 29 June 2026
Ministerial statement announced by Alex Norris MP: “Today I can confirm to the House that three new ex-military sites are now under consideration: Barnham in Suffolk, Bicester in Oxfordshire and Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire. Together, those sites could eventually provide accommodation for around 3,750 asylum seekers, subject to feasibility assessments, planning permission and the necessary approvals.”
Read the full statement: UK Parliament - Asylum accommodation: ending hotel use and expanding alternative accommodation
The Home Office has also released a factsheet about the proposals they are considering: GOV.UK - MoD Barnham, Suffolk: factsheet
West Suffolk Council
On Wednesday, 1 July, West Suffolk Council held an extraordinary meeting called by Council Leader, Cllr Cliff Waterman.
Cllr Waterman proposed a motion, seconded by Cllr Andrew Smith, local member for Barnham calling for the council to agree RAF Barnham is not the right place to home asylum seekers. Councillors backed the motion unanimously which gives the council a stronger voice in any talks with the Home Office and better able to pass on the concerns of local communities.
In summary the motion said West Suffolk Council agrees:
- to state clearly that RAF Barnham is not a suitable location for the Home Office proposal, because of the site’s rural setting, limited local infrastructure, constrained transport links and the likely impact on local services and communities
- to engage urgently and constructively with the Home Office to set out a strong and robust evidence-based case against the use of RAF Barnham for this purpose
- to work with local communities to ensure that their concerns are heard and represented accurately, while making clear that the council will not support or amplify divisive language, discrimination, or hostility.
The full motion can be found: Paper number: COU/WS/26/014 - Proposed use of RAF Barnham as asylum accommodation
The link to the live stream of the debate can be found: YouTube - Extraordinary meeting of West Suffolk Council - 1 July 2026
Following that meeting Cllr Waterman has written to the Minister to inform him of the Council’s decision and outlining the reasons why the Council believes Barnham is not the right place.
West Suffolk Council is also working closely with Barnham Parish Council to keep local residents updated about what is happening
Habitats regulations
Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, has written to Alex Norris MP, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, explaining how the council believes legally binding ecological constraints will rule out the development at Barnham Camp.
The letter points out that the habitats regulations would need to be met no matter what planning powers were being used, including by the Government.
The constraints placed by the habitats regulation on development has prevented in the past additional homes, due to the impact on protected wildlife. Extensive investigations and conversations with Natural England have so far concluded that the restraints imposed by the regulations cannot be overcome.
As a consequence of these constraints, West Suffolk Council has been required to adopt local plan policies that significantly restrict development across parts of the district.
Barnham Camp is within the Breckland Special Protection area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and their necessary protection buffer zones.
These internationally designated wildlife sites cover parts of Norfolk and Suffolk and are of particular importance for the conservation of Stone Curlew, supporting one of the largest breeding populations in Europe.
Given their international conservation status, any proposal for development within or near the SPA and SAC must be assessed in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) ('the Habitats Regulations').
Find out more: Special status should stop RAF Barnham development minister told
Urgent Crown Development application
We have now been informed that the Home Office has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the use of RAF Barnham for asylum seeker accommodation.
This application is being made using the Government’s emergency powers as they consider this of urgent and of national importance. This does not mean that a decision has been made, there will now be a consultation process where everyone will be able to submit their views.
It does mean that West Suffolk Council will not be asked to decide any planning application but will instead be a consultee.
We may also be required to assist with the local public consultation process although we do not have any details as to when and exactly how this will take place.
From West Suffolk Council’s point of view, this doesn’t change our position and our representation to any consultation will reiterate that we think the site is neither suitable nor lawful for use as asylum seeker accommodation. Whether we are formally asked to assist in the local consultation or not, we will be making sure that the very genuine concerns and views of local residents in Suffolk and over the border into Norfolk are heard.