Protesters rally against 'inhumane' immigration centre after plans to double its size

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:04 EDT, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 06:39 EDT, 1 September 2026 Protesters have rallied against 'inhumane' plans to more than double the size of an immigration centre.Campsfield Immigration Centre, situated on the outskirts of the small Oxfordshire town of Kidlington, can currently house up to 160 migrants.However, the Home Office have put forward controversial plans to increase the detention facility's capacity so it can house up to 400 residents at a time.The immigration centre previously closed in 2018 following a review of detainees' welfare and years of protest, including hunger strikes. It then reopened in December last year.Both Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council opposed the reopening and, this weekend, angry protesters gathered outside Campsfield to make their opposition to the expansion.Liz Peretz, who was one of around 20 protesters at Campsfield on Saturday, said: 'It's heartening to see people of all ages and all walks of life saying locking up people is never the answer.'We are especially concerned about the Immigration Removal Centre Expansion programme, here and in Gosport, which we think fails the Prime Minister Andy Burnham's test.'Ms Peretz added that during his campaign in the Makerfield by-election, the Prime Minister had promised to let local people decide. Pictured: Campsfield Immigration Centre, situated on the outskirts of the small Oxfordshire town of Kidlington, which can currently house up to 160 migrants Protesters outside Campsfield this weekend after the Home Office put forward controversial plans to more than double the number of inmates In the case of Campsfield, local politicians, councils and trade unions have all come out against the proposal to expand the site.She said: 'This practice of incarceration of migrants, who are seeking asylum, whose visas have run out, or who have finished a criminal sentence already, is inhuman.'There are plenty of alternatives - we need to get on and use them.'In around 250 objections to the expansion from neighbouring residents, workers, councils, MPs, human rights advocates and campaign groups, there were repeated calls for the plan to come to an inquiry to ensure 'proper scrutiny'.Plans to expand Campsfield are going through the Crown Development route, which effectively bypasses the local planning authority due to their 'national importance'.But, in a letter sent to those who made written representations on the plans, the Crown Development case team at the Government's planning inspectorate confirmed a public inquiry will be held.The letter said: 'The application has generated considerable local interest; some of the issues raised are complex and the evidence would benefit from formal cross-examination.'It continued: 'The date, time and venue fixed for the holding of the inquiry will be published on the application website in due course.' Protesters along with local politicians, councils and trade unions have all come out against the proposal to expand the site An inquiry is a court-like legal process used to evaluate major controversial development plans. It is the most formal of procedures which could be used to authorise or refuse plans.Government guidance states it will be 'open to the public and provides for the investigation into, and formal testing of, evidence, usually through cross-examination of expert witnesses and other witnesses' and that 'parties may be formally represented by advocates'.The Daily Mail has approached the Home Office for a comment.