Bibby Stockholm now faces 'planning permission' row over housing asylum seekers

23 September 2023 , 17:25

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Bibby Stockholm in Dorset (Image: Getty Images)

A legal challenge against plans to house 500 asylum seekers on the cramped Bibby Stockholm barge is set to go before a judge at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The vessel, moored in Portland Port in Dorset, has been empty since the first 39 on board were evacuated over fears of a deadly legionella outbreak. Now Portland mayor Carralyn Parkes has launched legal action as a private citizen, claiming the Home Office should have obtained planning permission for the accommodation.

She argues the scheme was designed to deliberately bypass rules that would apply on land, putting it beyond safeguards such as overcrowding controls. And she claims the Home Office has also failed to meet its environmental impact assessment duties. Ms Parkes, who raised nearly £21,500 for legal costs through crowdfunding, said: “I look forward to getting justice for Portland and the asylum seekers.

“The Home Office didn’t consult with anyone, but at last the voices of ordinary people will be heard. If we’re successful, I hope Dorset Council will enforce planning regulations and the Home Office will have to take the barge away. It’s time to consign this to the dustbin of history.”

Suella Braverman (Getty Images)

A judge will rule at the London hearing on October 10 whether to grant permission for a judicial review. One of those evacuated six weeks ago told us how a fellow asylum seeker had been so terrified of returning that he attempted suicide. And he revealed that all 39 men had vowed to resist being returned to the “prison-like” conditions.

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This week, Home Secretary Suella Braver­­man defended the Government’s handling of the scheme. Vowing the vessel would be back in use “as quickly as possible” once checks and authorisations were complete, she said: “This is a complex issue. I think we’ve done very well to stand up the barge so far.”

Matthew Dresch