Protests against the centre attracted several thousand protestors

BBC News Online's David Fuller speaks to people in Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, who are divided over plans to turn its former navy barracks into a home for 400 male asylum seekers.

Although members of the Daedalus Action Group (DAG) have dedicated themselves to legal protest against the proposals for HMS Daedalus, a local vicar who spoke out asking for tolerance of refugees had the windows of his caf� smashed.

On Wednesday the vice-chairman of DAG warned that local people who took jobs at the centre would be likely to face the brunt of public anger.

A group of Lee-on-Solent residents have become so unhappy with the anti-asylum rhetoric they have set up the group 'Neighbour Lee'.

Member Steve Davies says the climate of anger was such that people who felt differently about the centre felt too scared to speak out.

Local people have already created a hostile environment - I fear for the future Pastor Andrew Gill

Fifty residents signed up at Neighbour Lee's first meeting on Monday.

Mr Davies said although several people turned out to oppose the group, there was none of the aggression he had feared - although that may have been due to the presence of TV cameras.

He said: "There are some of us who think it would be a good thing to bring Lee on Solent into the 21st century - make it a more multi-cultural society.

'Persecution'

"We wanted to show support to those who are fleeing persecution and death, and to display a more open-minded approach to people.

"We live in a privileged community, a relatively wealthy, comfortable community - some of the banners and rhetoric we've heard is just outrageous."

But the DAG says the local infrastructure cannot cope with the kind of numbers being discussed.

Under the plans, the site would become home to 400 asylum seekers

The government says the asylum seekers will not be a drain on the local community because healthcare and education will be provided in the centre.

But Derek Kent, vice-chairman of DAG, says this is clouding the issue:

"The problem is not while they are there in the centre, it's afterwards - we've seen figures that say up to 75% stay in the area after they are released.

"This community just can't take it - we're already totally stretched.

"If it goes ahead it will kill the community."

Windows smashed

Pastor of the community church Andrew Gill has spoken out against what he called the "ignorance, xenophobia and aggression" of the early campaign.

His reward was to have the windows of his caf� smashed.

He said: "I just try to put the Christian point of view, care of everyone in the community is my priority.

"Some of the rhetoric was disgusting - I heard statements such as these people will be breaking into our houses, raping our women.

"People talk about things like house prices going down because of the asylum centre.

"The irony is that the campaign itself makes the area look like somewhere people wouldn't want to live."

'Silent majority'

He said he had been pleasantly surprised by the response from the majority of residents, however.

"Business at the caf� has actually increased, I think there's a silent majority of people who are generally sympathetic to refugees even if they don't want the centre on their doorstep.

"I've travelled abroad and personally witnessed persecution and it's not something I would wish on my worst enemy."

There could well be serious consequences for asylum seekers who ended up in Daedalus, he said.

"I think it's potentially very dangerous, the scale of the project is just too large - and I now question whether it is in the best interests of the refugees themselves.

"The local people have already created a hostile environment - I fear for the future."