PICTURES show the location of a controversial plan to reopen an immigration detention centre.

The Home Office announced that Campsfield House in Kidlington will be redeveloped in order to create a 400-bedroom immigration removal centre for men.

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Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran slammed the Home Office, describing the decision as ‘disgraceful’.

She said: “This disgraceful decision reflects at best a failure of policy and at worst complete heartlessness from the Home Office.

“Our community fought for years to close this facility, and will be incredibly dismayed by this announcement.

Oxford Mail: Plans to redevelop Campsfield House in Kidlington have courted controversy. Picture: Ed NixPlans to redevelop Campsfield House in Kidlington have courted controversy. Picture: Ed Nix

“Locking people up for months on end – without giving them any idea how long they’ll be detained – is inhumane and unnecessary. 

“These measures are also an enormous waste of taxpayers’ money.

“I will be fighting to stop Campsfield House reopening.”

The Home Office said the centre will be a chance to provide local employment.

Oxford Mail: Plans to redevelop Campsfield House in Kidlington have courted controversy. Picture: Ed NixPlans to redevelop Campsfield House in Kidlington have courted controversy. Picture: Ed Nix

Tom Pursglove, minister for justice and tackling illegal migration, said: “Those who have abused the immigration system, including foreign national criminals who have devasted the lives of their victims, should be in no doubt of our determination to remove them.

“This is what the British public rightly expects.

“Opening a new immigration removal centre, as part of the New Plan for Immigration, will help ensure there is sufficient detention capacity to safely accommodate individuals ahead of removal.”

The Home Office said the welfare people in immigration detention is of the upmost importance and would be taken into account as Campsfield is redeveloped.

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice