Residents have raised petitions against the plan

The former Chancellor, MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, has asked to voice his opposition to the proposals for the centre on land at the former RAF Newton base in Bingham.

He was expected to attend the hearing on Tuesday, at the National Water Sports Centre in Holme Pierrepoint, before later giving evidence to the inquiry.

Planning inspector David Brier said he will make recommendations to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the end of four weeks of submissions.

Keith Lindblom QC, for the Home Office, told the hearing that plans to test new style accommodation centres in Nottinghamshire and at Bicester in Oxfordshire were crucial to the reform of asylum policy.

There is an overwhelming national interest in allowing a trial of system to take place in Nottinghamshire Keith Lindblom QC

He said the Government hoped to provide housing for 750 people at the 16-hectare site on part of the disused RAF Newton base, which closed down in 2001.

The site is half a kilometre north of the town of Bingham, which has a population of around 6,000.

"Accommodation centres are a new concept here, but widely used across Europe," said Mr Lindblom.

"They are intended to be an indispensable part of the reform of the asylum system in the UK.

"There is an overwhelming national interest in allowing a trial of system to take place in Nottinghamshire, and the need to do so is urgent."

The Newton Action Group, which is opposed to the plans, said it would wait for the public days on 24 and 25 April to put its case.