RAF Scampton protest LIVE: Furious locals demand end to asylum seeker plans for good

Lorries passing RAF Scampton throughout today have been honking their horns to give their backing to the protest taking place.

The committed demonstrators outside the gates of the former air force base have built up loyal support over recent months.

Paul Carter, who served in the RAF for 22-years, is one of those protesting today.
He told GB News: "There's a lot going on here with all the history and the heritage of this place.

"People are aware of it. The Dambusters are from here, the Red Arrows are from here. There's a lot more than that even, that's just the tip of the iceberg of what happened here.

"On top of that, there are 700 residents living the other side of a six foot wire fence, who are worried. People are worried. It's the wrong place. The wrong time, the wrong place. It shouldn't be here."

More than 76,000 have signed petition against Scampton plans

A petition, which was set up last March to gather support for those who oppose the Government's plans, has been signed by more than 76,000 people.

Campaigners are aiming for 150,000 signatures to make their feelings known on the intention to to turn RAF Scampton into an immigration detention centre.

The petition warns: "This would destroy local plans to create a centre for the future aviation and space industry, generating 1000s of jobs.

"Local plans include a heritage centre to honour Scampton’s proud history as the home of the ‘Dambusters’ 617 Squadron."

Locals fear 'we have no future' if plans go ahead

Conservative Councillor Roger Patterson told GB News that there is "despair" in Scampton over the Government's plans.

He said that locals fear for their future unless a new solution is found.

"Unless there's a compromise or unless they back down, we have no future so it's complete and utter despair," he said.

The Home Office says that it continues to work with he local community on the issue.

It said in a statement: "We understand the concerns of local communities and are liaising with councils and local services to manage the impact of using these sites of a temporary basis."

'Do what you said you would do and stop the boats!'

Just days before it was announced last March that the former RAF base would be used to house migrants, plans fro an ambitious regeneration programme were released.

Campaigners have set up a camp for the day as they make their feelings known on the Government's plans.

Speaking to GB News from the base of the protest, demonstrator Sarah Carter said: "We have a £300million regeneration deal that had been agreed literally two days before Edward Leigh announced the plans, to preserve the history and the heritage and also as an investment in the local area.

"So, £300million of private money and up to 1,000 jobs that are going to be created as to having it be used as an asylum centre. It just doesn't make sense."

She added the Government should "do what you say you're going to do and stop the boats".

Protesters to gather at 10am

Those demonstrating against the Government's plans are set to begin gathering at the former RAF base at 10am this morning.

They intend to make their voice heard on protecting the heritage site.

GB News' Anna Riley will be reporting live from the scene throughout today.