No decision on base for asylum seekers – councillor

A decision on plans to temporarily house 540 asylum seekers at a former military site in East Sussex still has not been made, a councillor has said.

The Home Office previously confirmed discussions were under way to use the Crowborough army training camp as part of efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, sparking several protest marches in the town.

Wealden councillors met Home Office representatives the plans on Tuesday. Deputy council leader Rachel Millward described the meeting as "frustrating", but added councillors reiterated their strong objection to the plan.

The Home Office said the government wanted to close every asylum hotel and bring sites forward for asylum accommodation to ease pressure on communities and cut costs.

Millward, a Green Party councillor, said: "We think the level of misinformation and lack of communication has led to fear and the risk of unrest."

She added that councillors took the view that having people in such intensive numbers on one site was "not a good way to accommodate people" and brought "far greater risks".

At the meeting, councillors heard the average stay at the camp would be about 70 days.

The Home Office confirmed the arrangement with the Ministry of Defence was the camp would be used for a maximum of 12 months.

Millward said councillors pushed the Home Office on communications, adding it was a matter of public safety.

She said the Home Office needed to explain the plans to parents and other groups, including women and children, adding: "There's an awful lot of anxiety and concern for safety and for wellbeing."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

"This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs."

The department added that that the Prime Minister had instructed the Home Office and Ministry of Defence to accelerate work on identifying appropriate military sites, with results expected in coming weeks and months.

All sites will comply with safety, security, health and wellbeing standards, it added.

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