Asylum seeker camp to open in days - council

The Home Office has decided to house asylum seekers at a former military barracks in East Sussex, according to a local authority.

Plans to temporarily house 540 people seeking asylum at the Crowborough army training camp had been put on hold after they were announced last year.

Wealden District Council leader James Partridge said it was the "wrong decision", but added: "We do need to make the best of it".

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

It has previously said military sites were being considered to end the controversial use of hotels, and deliver better outcomes for taxpayers.

Protest marches against the plans have happened in Crowborough on a near-weekly basis.

"Despite our strong objections, the [Home Office] minister [Alex Norris] has not listened to us," said Partridge.

He added the site was likely to open within the next few days.

Partridge said in a video posted on Facebook that the council was seeing if it could legally challenge the decision.

But, he continued: "We all have to recognise that it is very likely that the camp will open.

"Whilst we know a lot of people will be angry, frightened and worried about this, we're going to have to try and find a way to make the best of it and certainly not make matters worse."

He called on the community to come together "in the way we did when the Afghan families and Ukrainian refugees arrived".

"Crowborough showed the best of itself through its collective spirit of togetherness, empathy, support and kindness," Partridge said.

"As difficult as many of us may find it, I ask that the same spirit comes to the fore again."

"We must all take responsibility for making our community feel safe and secure and as a council we will continue to work with the police and other local authorities to help with that."

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