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Date submitted

7 July 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Dear Planning Inspectorate, I am writing to object to the proposed expansion of Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre. The application reference is CROWN/2026/0000004. I am responding as a local resident who is concerned about the impact of the expansion and the increased use of immigration detention. I object because the proposal would more than double the size of Campsfield, from 160 to 400 places, on Green Belt land. I am concerned that the expansion would make the site more built up, harm the openness of the Green Belt, and add pressure to local roads, services and infrastructure. The Home Office has not clearly shown why 240 additional detention places are needed at Campsfield, or why existing capacity, alternatives to detention or other estate options would not be sufficient. This is especially important because the proposal would involve permanent development on protected land. Immigration detention causes serious harm to the people detained, and its effects are felt by families, communities, legal and advice services, health services and local residents. Expanding Campsfield would therefore have significant human and community consequences. For these reasons, I ask that the application is refused. If it is not refused at this stage, I ask that it be examined through a full public inquiry. A public inquiry would allow the Home Office’s case to be scrutinised in public and the evidence to be properly tested before any decision is made. Yours faithfully