A second village in England is set to hold a vote on whether to stage a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom in response to plans for a nearby asylum seeker accommodation center. Barnham parish council in Suffolk announced that residents will be invited on October 24 to decide if they want to follow Piddington, a village in Oxfordshire, which recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of secession.

The proposed asylum camp near Barnham would be established at a former Royal Air Force base and is intended to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers. The plan has sparked significant opposition from local residents concerned about the impact of the facility on their community.

Piddington’s residents voted last month by a margin of 285 to 26 to hold a referendum on seceding from the UK and pursuing self-determination, making it the first village to take such a step amid nationwide debates over immigration and asylum policy. The vote was symbolic, as local councils do not have the legal authority to formally leave the country.

Barnham’s possible referendum reflects growing unease in some rural areas about government plans to accommodate asylum seekers in smaller communities. Proponents argue that local voices should be heard regarding decisions that significantly affect their regions, while critics say the secession votes are largely symbolic and could hinder efforts to provide shelter to vulnerable populations.

The UK government has not yet commented on the local votes or the proposed asylum center at Barnham. The situation underscores ongoing tensions surrounding asylum policy and the challenges faced by communities designated to host new arrivals.