‘We Can’t Believe It’: Residents of Quiet Village Left Furious After Being Told How Many Illegal Migrants Could Be Moved In

People living in the quiet village of Barnham say they are deeply worried after the Government announced plans to turn the former RAF Barnham site into accommodation for up to 1,250 single male asylum seekers. The Home Office revealed the proposal last month as part of its wider plan to stop using asylum hotels across the UK by 2029. If approved, the former military base on the Suffolk-Norfolk border would become one of several large sites used to house asylum seekers.

The announcement has shocked many residents, who say their peaceful countryside village is completely unprepared for such a major change. Barnham has a population of only around 580 people, meaning the arrival of 1,250 new residents would more than triple the number of people living there almost overnight. Locals believe the scale of the proposal would permanently change the village and put huge pressure on services that are already limited.

Residents point out that Barnham is a small rural community with no village shop, no pub, and very few public facilities. They argue that the roads, healthcare services, schools and other local infrastructure were never designed to cope with such a large increase in population. Many fear the village would struggle to manage the extra demand and lose the peaceful way of life that has existed there for many years.

Many people have also raised concerns about safety, particularly for women and children, as well as fears about possible increases in antisocial behaviour. Others worry that house prices could fall if the plans go ahead, leaving homeowners concerned about the value of the properties they have worked hard to buy.

One resident, 23-year-old Callum Banthorpe, bought his first home in Barnham earlier this year for £180,000. He said the village simply does not have the facilities needed to support an extra 1,250 people. He admitted that if he had known about the proposal before buying his home, he might have made a different decision. He also questioned why ordinary residents have to go through strict planning rules for small home improvements, while the Government appears able to push forward such a large development without the same level of local approval.

Several residents say they were not properly consulted before the plans were announced. Many claim they only found out about the proposal after decisions already appeared to have been made. Some believe local people should have been given the opportunity to express their views before such a significant project was put forward. One resident questioned who would want to live next to a site housing hundreds of people without knowing exactly who would be living there.

Local business owners have also spoken out. Rocky, who runs PRD Groundworks directly opposite the former RAF base, said he is especially concerned because schools are located nearby. He fears the location is not suitable for such a large accommodation site and believes more consideration should have been given to the impact on local families and children. He also questioned why the site is now being considered after concerns had previously been raised about contamination on the land.

Opposition to the plans has quickly grown. Around 500 protesters recently gathered outside the entrance to the former RAF base, with many carrying Union Jack and England flags. Some people travelled from neighbouring counties, including Essex, to join the demonstration. A small number of protesters have continued to remain outside the site, displaying flags and banners as a sign of their opposition.

Local politicians have also voiced concerns. Suffolk County Council Reform leader Michael Hadwen described the proposal as completely unsuitable for a small rural village, particularly one with a small primary school and limited facilities. West Suffolk Council has also voted unanimously to oppose the plans, citing concerns about security, pressure on local services, infrastructure, and the lack of proper consultation. Council representatives have said they are frustrated because the Government has the power to approve the project without following the normal local planning process.

John Bauer, chairman of Barnham Parish Council, argued that if a private developer wanted to build housing for 1,250 people in the village, they would have to complete detailed environmental studies, transport assessments, infrastructure planning and lengthy public consultations before any permission could even be considered. He said local leaders are disappointed that such a major proposal has moved forward without the same level of scrutiny or engagement with the community. Many residents now hope the Government will listen to their concerns before making a final decision on the future of the former RAF Barnham site.