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Date submitted

24 July 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Dear Planning Inspectorate, I am writing to object to the Home Office’s proposal to expand Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre by 240 places. The application reference is CROWN/2026/0000004. I am writing as a local resident, residing in Kidlington and working at Begbroke Science Park. I object to the expansion because immigration detention causes serious harm to the people held there, including long-term mental health and psychological repercussions. Immigration detention and removal centres do not provide a sustainable solution to the challenges posed by immigration, which are likely to be a source of increasing and unavoidable pressure as geopolitical crises and climate change impacts mount. As a taxpayer, I would be willing to pay increased taxes to fund sustainable programmes for accommodating immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the community. The effects of the harm caused by the immigration removal centres do not stop at the perimeter fence. Families, legal representatives, community groups, health and advice services, faith groups, local residents and local authorities are often left responding to the consequences of detention, including distress, release into hardship, safeguarding concerns, destitution, emergency support needs, removal, protest and public concern. The effect of the ‘hostile environment’ created by immigration removal centres not only affects those detained, but also contributes to the sense of animosity and defensiveness in the local community. This is reflected by the recent presence of national flags around local towns and villages, which are likely associated with the nationalist-affiliated campaign ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, especially as handmade signs with messages in support of migration and refugees that were displayed near to the flags were consistently torn down within hours of display while other posters about local events displayed alongside the supportive signs were not removed. The application does not properly address this harm or the wider impact of expanding detention capacity at Campsfield. I understand that the Planning Inspectorate’s decision will focus on material planning considerations, but this representation is also part of the public record. Humanitarian concerns are valid and should be recorded, especially where they reinforce the need for full scrutiny of a development of this scale and sensitivity. This proposal is not ordinary infrastructure. It is a major expansion of a detention centre, and it should receive the closest possible scrutiny. Yours faithfully, Dr █████████