The centre, on former MoD land, would hold 750 people

Residents and councillors from Bicester are hoping to overturn a ruling by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott giving the centre the go-ahead.

The two day hearing in London concluded on Wednesday, with the judge saying he would deliver a verdict in a fortnight.

MOD land between Arncott and Piddington is earmarked for the 750-bed unit.

Independent inspector

Mr Prescott gave his approval to the plan after overriding the advice of an independent planning inspector.

The centre would house up to 400 single men, 50 single women and 300 family members while their asylum applications are being processed.

David Elvin QC, appearing on Tuesday for the Conservative-controlled district council, described the centre as "a new concept in the UK".

He said the Home Office was launching a series of trials involving 3,000 asylum-seekers.

'Non-statutory procedure'

The centre would be self-contained, with its own facilities, including a library, school and an administrative centre.

Asylum-seekers would be free to come and go, with a small cash allowance, and be able to receive visitors, provided they were signed in.

Mr Elvin said one of the main issues in the case was that the government had chosen a non-statutory procedure for the scheme, without giving reasons, when there was a statutory procedure available.

The district council was seeking court orders to compel the Home Office to submit a planning application for the proposed centre under the provisions of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act.