District mulling legal action over plan to place refugees on army base

Crowborough Army Base in East Sussex is to house up to 600 asylum seekers on a temporary 12-month basis under plans announced by the Government last week.

The move is part of an effort to end the practice of placing refugees in asylum hotels.

However, the district council has hit out against the Home Office's proposal.

In a letter to Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris, the council's leader and deputy leader raised concerns about the number of people to be housed on the site and criticised the Home Office's approach to the decision.

It stated that the council had a confidential briefing on 10 October, during which the department indicated that it was considering using the site.

The letter added that the council had requested the Home Office engage with all relevant public sector partners, including the town council, relevant stakeholder groups, local MPs, the voluntary sector and the local community itself.

It continued: "Your team assured us that all of this would happen and that a proper plan for community engagement would be shared prior to any decision being taken by you or any announcement made. Yet you announced your decision on Monday without having met any of those commitments."

The leader and deputy leader have since said they are considering a legal challenge in correspondence with local MP Nusrat Ghani.

This letter reads: "We are [...] seeking legal advice as to whether there are any avenues to challenge the decision of the Home Office."

Wealden District Council and Crowborough Town Council are also hosting a meeting between local residents and the Home Office next week.

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 across the country.

“We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.”

Adam Carey