Many local residents opposed the plans for the centre

Cherwell District Council has called for a judicial review of Secretary of State John Prescott's decision to give the centre near Bicester the go-ahead.

The deputy prime minister's decision came despite an independent planning inspector advising against it and fierce local opposition.

The council's legal experts believe there are a "number of flaws" in Mr Prescott's decision which gives grounds for the review.

If the local authority is given permission to pursue its case, it could cost up to �500,000 - a price council officials say is worth paying.

We owe it to local people to do what we can George Reynolds, leader of Cherwell District Council

George Reynolds, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: "We put forward a very strong case at the inquiry and we clearly won the planning arguments with the inspector.

"But he was overruled by John Prescott, who decided that more weight should be given to the government's current policy on accommodation centres.

"We have studied the process and Mr Prescott's decision letter very carefully and we believe there are several grounds for a legal challenge.

"Our legal advisers indicate that we have a reasonable case, in particular in relation to the process followed, and in these circumstances we owe it to local people to do what we can."

The centre, on former MoD land, is part of government asylum reforms

The site, between the villages of Arncott and Piddington, will house up to 400 single men, 50 single women and 300 family members while their asylum applications are being processed.

A major public inquiry into the proposed centre ended in March 2003.

Campaigners against the centre argued that the centre would stretch local services.

The plans were also criticised by human rights group Amnesty International, which said the rural location would isolate asylum seekers who were already vulnerable people.