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	Second Public Inquiry into Bicester accommodation centre set for July 5
	Wednesday 25 May 05

	Following an objection lodged by Cherwell District Council against the detailed plans for the Bicester accommodation centre in February 2005, another full Public Inquiry into these plans has been called for 05 July. This second Inquiry, which will take place at the council's offices, Bodicote House in Banbury, will consider the details of the plans and is expected to last three days. Former Immigration Minister, Beverley Hughes - later forced to resign, but back in the Government following the May 2005 General Election - pledged publicly that the Government would abide by the results of the planning process. However, the recommendation of the independent inquiry Inspector was ignored and the Government gave itself planning permission. Cherwell District Council has written to Bicester Refugee Support and other participants in the earlier December 2002 inquiry, to advise them that this present inquiry will be conducted "in the spirit" of planning inquiry rules. In fact, it is also what is termed as "non statutory", because the site is located on Crown land. The district council's objections include the design of the centre, the impact of the perimeter lighting, and the size of the education and library facilities. In February this year, Bicester Refugee Support and Oxfordshire charity, Asylum Welcome, slammed the Home Office for attempting to turn the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester into a prison in all but name. In a five page submission to Cherwell District Council, the two local organisations said that the council should object to the detailed plans because a secure custodial institution is a fundamentally different use to an accommodation centre. You can download a pdf file of the BRS submission to Cherwell District Council here, see all of our Planning Submissions here, or go to our chronological  summary of the Planning situation here
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