The Home Office is planning to send the first group of asylum seekers to Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex in January, according to Whitehall sources. The move is part of the government's pledge to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation by the next election.
The camp is expected to house up to 540 male asylum seekers, primarily those who have recently arrived on small boats, due to its proximity to the south coast. Officials initially aimed to transfer people in December but delayed to ensure safety and avoid issues like the legionella outbreak on the Bibby Stockholm barge.
Local residents and Wealden District Council have strongly opposed the plan, with a residents' group raising over £50,000 for a judicial review. The council has described the Home Office's lack of communication as 'appalling' and has served a planning contravention notice. Protests have drawn about 3,000 people, and preparations are in place for potential far-right demonstrations.
The Home Office stated it is working to close all asylum hotels and bring forward more suitable sites, working closely with local authorities. As of September, 36,273 people were in temporary accommodation, a 13% increase from June.
