The former home of the Red Arrows and the Dambusters, RAF Scampton, has unexploded ordnance and ground gases on its site. This is despite it being earmarked to house 2,000 asylum seekers, a minister has claimed.
Housing minister Lee Rowley has written to West Lindsey District Council, where the airbase is situated, to warn of the “potential risks to human health arising from ground gases, UXO (unexploded ordnance) and ground contamination which could affect both workers on the site and asylum seekers.
The letter adds: “These risks could mean the site is not suitable for its intended use which could give rise to likely significant effects associated with human health”.
The MP for North East Derbyshire adds that mitigation measures are in place to ensure the safety of the site but “in the unlikely event of failure of any of the mitigation measures users will be removed from the affected location within the site”.
RAF Scampton, along with the former RAF base MDP Wethersfield in Essex and the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, are set to house 3000 asylum seekers between them.
The hope is that these locations will prove cheaper than housing asylum seekers in hotels. Last year, Express.co.uk revealed that the Wethersfield site was also possibly home to undetonated explosives, “likely” ground contamination and “a risk of asbestos and leaking tanks across the site”.
A 2021 Ministry of Defence (MoD) report, obtained by this website, which looked at the possible challenges in developing the site, found a “high risk” of unexploded ordnance.
The MoD study noted that the “demolition costs” on the airbase “are expected to be medium to high, due to asbestos risk and/or UXO”. On top of this, former airbase staff, the Airbase’s museum curator and local campaigners have sounded the alarm over the presence of PFAS, otherwise known as forever chemicals.
One of the forever chemicals local experts are concerned about is firefighting foam, that was used extensively on the site whilst it was being used by US airmen during the Cold War.
The RAF Wethersfield Museum Curator, Ross Stewart, said: “The airfield operated a large fire fighting section housed next to the Control Tower and two Kaman HH-43 Huskie Fire and Rescue Helicopters, each carrying a mobile system with 690 gallons of firefighting foam.”
Besides putting out flaming aircraft following “actual accidents”, firefighting foam was used to put out blazes lit in demonstrations.
The museum curator added: “USAF would also include firefighting demonstrations at the annual air shows and open days held from 1953 to 1988.”
In March, in reference to the potential hazardous materials at the Wethersfield site, a Home Office spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “The asylum system is under unprecedented pressure, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country.
“In response, we are working across Government and with local authorities to look at a range of accommodation options and sites all of which will be in line with building regulations and health and safety.”
“The Home Office gave its assurances that any asylum seekers housed on the site would not be harmed as a result of the possible contamination located on the base, noted in the MoD’s report. The safety of individuals in our care is always our absolute priority.”
In response to Mr Rowley’s letter, the details of which were first published in the Guardian, a government spokesperson said: “The asylum system is under unprecedented pressure, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country. As part of the conditions of the special development order for RAF Scampton, a number of surveys will be undertaken prior to occupation.
“The safety of individuals remains our absolute priority, and we reiterate that any accommodation used in response to the increasing pressures on the UK asylum system will be fit for purpose and meet all relevant housing and health and safety rules.”
