Hundreds of people marched through Crowborough on Saturday after the UK government confirmed that a former military camp would continue housing asylum seekers until 2030, prompting fresh protests in the East Sussex town.
March and Counter-Protest
Campaigners gathered at Crowborough Training Camp, a former Army barracks currently used to accommodate migrants who crossed the English Channel in small boats, and marched into the town centre. Families and young children joined the demonstration, which was met by a smaller counter-protest upon arrival in the town centre.
Counter-protesters held signs reading "one world, one love" and "everyone is our neighbour". Those opposing the continued use of the camp outnumbered the counter-demonstration, chanting "Keir Starmer is a traitor" and "whose streets, our streets". Protesters also sang: "We are all getting poorer, no help for British suffering, but for those across our borders. Hospitals at breaking point, mental health at an all-time high. We must all be united. To hear our cries."
Extension Decision Sparks Anger
The extension was announced earlier this week despite claims that Home Office officials had previously given council leaders "unequivocal denials" that the accommodation would continue beyond this year. Ministers have proposed extending the use of Crowborough until 2030 and Wethersfield beyond 2027, alongside plans to convert three more former military sites into asylum accommodation: RAF Barnham in Suffolk, RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, and a former Army barracks in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Together, these plans would create close to 5,000 additional bed spaces for migrants arriving in the UK by small boat.
Local Concerns
Leading the march was a silver Ford van decorated with England flags and signs saying "stop the boats" and "Crowborough says no". According to the DVLA, the vehicle's MOT expired on 5 June, 23 days before the protest. Among those taking part was Sandra March, 49, who explained why she believed the continued use of the military site posed a risk to locals. She said: "It's a disgrace. It's disgusting. This poses a danger to our community. Hundreds of men, unvetted and unaccounted for. They hang around in this town. It's unsettling to women out on their own. It's a diabolical decision. Those in charge should hang their heads in shame."
Another demonstrator claimed residents had left the area because of the camp and said people no longer felt safe. The protester said: "People have left the area because of the camp. People don't feel safe. We were told it would not be for longer than a year. Now it's another four years. It's shocking. What's the point of paying our council tax? Nobody voted for this."
Previous Opposition to Migrant Accommodation
Previous proposals to house up to 1,500 asylum seekers at RAF Linton-on-Ouse were abandoned in 2022 following protests by local residents and a legal challenge brought by the council. The demonstration in Crowborough came days after Labour was urged to put more migrants "on a plane home" as ministers unveiled plans to expand asylum accommodation.
