New asylum centre near Bicester approved

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has been given planning permission to build its biggest immigration removal centre near Bicester. The centre, which will be built to the same standards as a medium-security prison, will hold up to 800 refused asylum seekers and foreign ex-prisoners. The Cherwell District Council had earlier delayed its decision on UKBA’s proposals after the Environment Agency objected to the centre on the grounds of flood risk. Read more.