The Home Office is preparing to send the first asylum seekers to a military barracks in a Sussex town within weeks, a move that has ignited fierce local opposition and a formal legal challenge joined by the local council.
Legal Action and Local Fury
Ministers and officials are understood to be readying the Crowborough military base to accommodate 540 male migrants in the New Year. The initial plan to begin using the cadet training camp in December was postponed to ensure site safety, according to reports.
This proposed use has sparked sustained protests, with thousands of residents marching through the East Sussex market town for seven consecutive Sundays. The community campaign group, Crowborough Shield, which has raised over £72,000 for legal fees, has applied for a full judicial review of the government's decision.
Wealden Borough Council has now formally joined this legal action as an interested party. In a strong statement, the council said it 'strongly objected' to the plans and criticised the Home Office for a 'lack of communication and engagement'.
Safety, Transparency and Community Rights
Crowborough Shield argues the decision-making process has lacked transparency and raises serious concerns about staffing, police provision, and strain on local health services. A spokesperson stated the judicial review seeks to overturn a decision they believe breaches the community's common law rights and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees a fair hearing.
In a recent letter to the council, the Home Office confirmed no asylum seekers would be moved to the camp before Christmas and that a final decision is still pending. However, preparatory work on the site, including erecting accommodation blocks and security fencing, is already underway.
The situation has heightened local tensions. Earlier this month, a group of residents formed the 'Crowborough Patrol', wearing hi-viz jackets to monitor the town centre, an action some branded as vigilantism. Police intervention was required after an alleged confrontation at the camp entrance, leading to one arrest for suspected violent disorder.
An Apology But No Retreat
While the Home Office has apologised for its handling of the communication around the Crowborough plans, it remains determined to reduce reliance on hotels for housing asylum seekers. The camp itself has a historic legacy, having been used by Canadian forces preparing for the D-Day landings during World War II.
Nevertheless, many current residents, particularly those living alone, report installing panic alarms in their homes due to safety fears. As the legal battle prepares to move to the High Court and protests show no sign of abating, the government faces mounting pressure to reconsider its strategy for the Sussex barracks.
