Linton-on-Ouse is not the right location for housing asylum seekers - Carl Les

The new issue of Royal Mail stamps being released today highlights the story of Britain`s military jet aircraft and the pioneering work of Sir Frank Whittle whose development of the jet engine transformed aviation.

The collection marks a number of significant anniversaries in 2026 - 50 years since the Hawker Siddeley Hawk entered service, presently the famous Red Arrows flying machine, 70 years since the delta winged fighter the Gloster Javelin and the similarly delta winged nuclear bomber the Avro Vulcan entered service, and 80 years since the de Havilland Vampire first joined the RAF`s fighter squadrons.

Five of the eight aircraft featured in the collection were at times at RAF Leeming, Meteor, Vampire, Javelin, Tornado, and I can remember seeing them all, presently the Hawk is there, and the Vulcan visited in retirement for Battle of Britain events and passing out parades.

I had occasion this week to celebrate another connection with RAF Leeming, if somewhat tangential. I met a young man who has come to work for the Council at County Hall. Nothing unusual there, but he is the grandson of a dear person who looked after me at times when I was a small child. I had the enormous good fortune whilst growing up to be raised in two loving families. Whilst my parents were working all hours at the start of our family business, I was sent at times down the village to be cared for by another family whose daughters, now grandmothers, became like big sisters to me.

Water Lane was a magical place for me, with a big vegetable plot at the back with hens and fresh eggs at the end of the garden, a lovable daft mongrel dog called Sam who jumped around like a kangaroo, giant Yorkshire puddings cooked in loaf tins, bath night a tin bath in front of the coal fire.

I was taken on short holidays to visit (their) relatives in Great Ayton and to a static caravan in Cayton Bay, driving up Sutton Bank in a car borrowed from another family in the village. Aunty Rhoda as I called her worked helping my mother hence my ‘big sisters’ looked after me. Uncle Jim as I called him worked as a gardener on RAF Leeming, the tangential connection.

The base was the biggest local employer of civilian trades by far. I would meet him at the top of Water Lane as he came home from work, riding his big sit up and beg bike. The adjacent Crown pub wouldn’t be open at that time, but he would take me to the back door and buy me a lemonade and a packet of crisps, and tell me what jobs he had been doing on the camp.

The Vale of York was home to many bomber airfields during the Second World War. Many like Scorton have since disappeared completely. Others like Sandhutton have reverted back if not completely to fields then largely to agricultural purposes, Catterick retains its hangars but for the Army’s use now and the runway has gone. Topcliffe is still operational, Dishforth looks as if it should be, and Leeming still flies one squadron of training aircraft. RAF Linton-on-Ouse operated as a major training station until a decade or so ago, and has since been a redundant asset awaiting a new future.

Four years ago the previous government’s Home Office proposed using it for housing single male asylum seekers, and quickly withdrew it not only in the face of vocal local opposition, but also reasoned legal planning and operational objections.

That the same department should bring forward the same proposal again defies belief. If anything the operational and infrastructure barriers have got worse – water disconnected, drains filled in, electricity capacity diminished, perimeter fencing deteriorating. A national statement has been made by the Home Secretary herself, no less (who is in charge of this department), that such facilities should not be located near to schools. That this is 600m from a primary school must carry significant weight. Other local concerns remain, and will be voiced loudly again, added to by our local MP’s, our own North Yorkshire Council, and importantly the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. If the new Prime Minister is to be believed, then the voice of devolved power will decide that Linton should make a contribution to our huge housing targets, and asylum seekers should be housed elsewhere.

This is not about uncontrolled immigration, or how asylum seekers should be housed. I accept the government’s stated ambition to accommodate them safely. This is about the right location, and adjoining the isolated, unserviced, small, rural village community of Linton-on-Ouse (c. 600 population) is not the right location.

As a Council, following a unanimous decision at our last meeting I have written to the relevant Minister expressing our concerns on behalf of the community we represent. This letter is on our web-site, and is supported by all our MPs we could consult quickly during this holiday period. The Deputy Mayor has written on behalf of the Mayor. Awaiting a response we must consider further options.

Coun Carl Les is the Leader of North Yorkshire Council.