Home Office announces plans for new asylum housing centre near Bicester

Cherwell District Council was informed by the Home Office yesterday afternoon of its intention to open a new temporary housing centre for asylum-seekers at a Ministry of Defence site near Bicester.

Published: Friday, 26th June 2026

No engagement or consultation had taken place with the district, in any capacity, beforehand, and full details have not been provided. What is known is the Home Office intends to explore use of the currently redundant MOD site located at site A of the Bicester Garrison, located between Piddington and Upper Arncott, as early as the end of 2026.

The centre forms one of three new sites announced by the Home Office to house 3,700 people, with an average of 1,200 per site, as part of the government's ambition to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.

Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of the Council, said: "This is another arbitrary decision from the Home Office, taken yet again, without any consultation with the council, residents or locally elected members.

"It's astounding to think that proposals of this scale are being brought forward by government without communication with the local authority and affected communities.

"I have serious concerns about whether sufficient considerations have taken place to ensure the right support, infrastructure and safeguards will be in place ahead of the proposed opening later this year. I will be writing to the minister to press for clarity, transparency and guarantees that the government will have the resources needed to mitigate the impact on our communities and local services if, and when their facility opens.

"The council will be asking the Home Office and other partner agencies including Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police to work with us to ensure that any provisions are suitable both for those staying there and those who live alongside".

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