Sewage warnings fuel objections to Oxfordshire immigration detention expansion

Plans to expand immigration detention facilities in Oxfordshire have drawn objections after Thames Water warned that people housed there could face strong smells and swarms of insects from a nearby sewage pumping station. Proposed secure accommodation at Campsfield House immigration removal centre would stand 20 metres from the station, according to the company’s written submission.

A senior development manager at Thames Water identified possible problems including odours, noise, vibration, insects and flies, as well as lighting used during maintenance. In its October submission, the company also raised concerns about the capacity of local foul water, surface water and water supply networks.

A separate consultation response dating from 2015, submitted in June, warned that development could cause sewage flooding in the area. Thames Water requested an impact study to establish more clearly whether existing infrastructure would become overloaded. Its representations, alongside other written submissions, will be considered at a public inquiry scheduled to begin on 14 December.

The Home Office wants to increase capacity at Campsfield House from 160 beds to 400 and convert existing buildings. The proposal comes as the government seeks a 40% expansion of the immigration detention estate. Campsfield House, near Kidlington, reopened in December 2025 after closing in 2018 following years of problems that included suicides, riots, escapes and complaints about conditions.

Campaigners opposing the expansion have pointed to the water company’s warnings as further grounds for concern. Ally Swadling, lead legal education officer at Right to Remain, said the sewage infrastructure issues reflected insufficient regard for basic sanitation and human dignity. She accused the government of placing political priorities ahead of people’s lives and wellbeing.

Oxfordshire county council has formally opposed the expansion and called for Campsfield House to close permanently. The council said enlarging the facility risked deepening existing public concern about the site.

Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, said detention was harmful and dehumanising and should be used only as a last resort. He argued that evidence showed it was ineffective, costly and damaging to those detained. Rather than expanding Campsfield House in circumstances that could affect residents’ health and wellbeing, he urged the government to use community-based alternatives, which he said were effective and considerably cheaper.

The Home Office defended the proposals, saying it remained confident in its plans and would continue working constructively with the Planning Inspectorate. A spokesperson said expanding detention capacity was an important part of increasing removals of people without the right to remain in the UK.

According to Home Office figures, nearly 80,000 people were returned or deported from the UK between the 2024 election and the end of June 2026, a 52% increase compared with the preceding two years. Thames Water said it had nothing further to add to its submitted response.