Home Office facing fresh legal challenge over new asylum seeker site

The Home Office announced last month that it would accommodate up to 600 asylum seekers on Crowborough Army Training Camp in Ashdown Forest.

The Home Office said using the camp is part of an effort to end the practice of placing refugees in asylum hotels.

But locals operating under the name of 'Crowborough Shield' argue the site is "unsafe and unsuitable", citing asbestos and unexploded ordinance.

They have also claimed that the plan will displace youth cadets who use the site and that it will put added pressure on "already overstretched" NHS and emergency services. 

Their legal claim will argue that the Home Office failed to conduct environmental, safety and risk assessments for the site.

It also claims that the use of emergency planning powers meant the Home Office bypassed planning laws, and that the duty to consult residents, local authorities and statutory agencies was neglected.

In addition, the group claim the decision disregarded safeguarding and welfare standards for vulnerable asylum seekers and overlooked environmental protections for Ashdown Forest and its endangered wildlife.

The group has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the legal bid, which met its initial £25,000 target on Tuesday (18 November).

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

"This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, 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."

The Home Office’s plan prompted Wealden District Council to seek legal advice and consider its own legal challenge. It is not yet known whether the council decided to pursue a challenge.

Adam Carey