Historians address government by letter in opposition to WW2 airfield migrant scheme

World-leading historians have signed an open letter to the government, articulating concerns about plans to use a historic air base as housing for asylum seekers.

In March 2023, West Lindsey District Council stated that the Home Office had confirmed they were considering several sites including RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire for an asylum centre.

Concerns from the local community arose in reaction to this news, shown particularly at the public meeting organised by Scampton Parish Council on 21 March.

West Lindsey District Council Leader, Owen Bierley, argued that the airfield was “not suitable for asylum seekers” due to its “poor public transport connectivity” and because it is “remote in nature to services”.

We are extremely concerned by what impact this will have on our existing local community

–Owen Bierley, West Lindsey District Council Leader

He added: “We are extremely concerned by what impact this will have on our existing local community, given the close proximity to Scampton schools and nursery.”

These plans came only days after West Lindsey District Council announced a £300 million plan to transform RAF Scampton into “a development used for aviation, heritage, tourism, education and research.”

The airfield is well-known as the headquarters of the World War Two 617 Dambusters Squadron, famous for their part in Operation Chastise which destroyed three dams in the Ruhr valley in 1943.

Historian, James Holland, suggests that there are “so many places around the country where asylum seekers could be housed with the kind of sensitivity and care that they absolutely need”.

He continued: “But it just doesn’t have to be one of the richest places in terms of history and heritage in the country for aviation.”

The open letter, entitled ‘The Future of Former RAF Scampton’, is said to have been signed by over 40 historians including British historian Sir Anthony Beevor; Director of the National Army Museum, Justin Maciejewski; and Patrick Bishop, a historian and foreign correspondent.

Describing Scampton as “a hub of innovation and excellence”, the letter urges the Home Secretary to “reconsider these plans”.

And, as Scampton is absolutely brimming with potential for the local community and beyond, it seems obvious that we need to keep it as an operational airfield in order to not only preserve the past, but to secure our future

–James Holland, Historian

Posted in full to Twitter by Holland, the historians conclude by saying: “History is not just about knowing where we’ve been – it’s also there to guide us when choosing where we want to go next.

“And, as Scampton is absolutely brimming with potential for the local community and beyond, it seems obvious that we need to keep it as an operational airfield in order to not only preserve the past, but to secure our future.”

A spokesperson from the Home Office said: “We have always been upfront about the unprecedented pressure being put on our asylum system, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country.

“We continue to work across government and with local authorities to look at a range of accommodation options and sites but the best way to relieve these pressures is to stop the boats in the first place.”