BRAINTREE Council is preparing to apply to the High Court for an interim injunction to challenge the proposal for a migrant centre at Wethersfield Airfield.
The council, which opposes the plans, says the papers are expected to be lodged with the High Court "imminently".
The council believes Wethersfield airfield to be unsuitable, saying it is concerned that "due to the size of the site, the scale of the development proposed could have a significant adverse impact upon the local community".
Now, the authority is set to challenge the Home Office's plans in the High Court.
A spokesman said: "Following the Council’s ongoing considerations and concerns relating to the Home Office proposals to secure accommodation for asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield, we are preparing to apply to the High Court for an interim injunction.
"This injunction challenges the Home Office proposals to place asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield.
"The papers are expected to be lodged with the High Court imminently.
"We would expect such an application would be heard within seven days, and we expect the matter to be heard by the High Court before any asylum seekers are occupied on site.
"We will continue to keep residents updated."
It was revealed earlier this month that the Home Office was looking to transform the site into ac commodation for asylum seekers.
The plans have been met with heavy opposition from campaigners and the council itself.
There was a demonstration at the weekend from campaign group SWAP, who were heavily against the plans.
According to an exclusive by the Daily Express, who spoke to a source living at MDP Wethersfield, the Home Office is looking to move asylum seekers onto the site next week, on April 1.
Military families living on the site have been told they will need to leave their homes, according to the report.
A source told the Daily Express authorities are “putting the fencing around the [disused accommodation] blocks and the cookhouse area”.
They added: “What we've been told… [is] the fences are going up and they are preparing the site for it to be taken over on 1st of April”.
The site in Wethersfield has been eyed up by the Ministry of Justice as a potential location to build two new prisons.
If it goes ahead, about 1,715 male prisoners will be held in each of the prisons which will be built next to one another.
The MOJ is yet to submit a planning application for the project.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
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