Crowborough Asylum Seeker Camp Row

The Liberal Democrat leader of Wealden Council says he now regrets not informing the people of Crowborough earlier of government plans to house 600 asylum seekers at a local military base.

Asylum seekers who’ve arrived in small boat crossings are due to move into the Crowborough army training camp by the end of this month.

Wealden Council was in discussions with government officials about the decision over the past month and didn’t inform the public or the local MP Nus Ghani.

Nus Ghani told the BBC that important issues hadn’t been taken into account: “Is the facility fit for purpose? Is it providing the taxpayer value for money? Are the public services there available? Is the community comfortable and content that this is a good place for people to be? No consultation has taken place.”

Nus Ghani (pictured above) continued: “Wealden District council has a very strict planning regulation and policy. A lot of my constituents don’t get planning approval to build an extension on their home but somehow the Liberal Democrat and Green Party who run Wealden District Council are going to allow the planning and building of lots of accomodation on the Crowborough cadet site. It does not make sense.”

A meeting of local residents was held in Crowborough on 30th October where the people were reportedly overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal. (see picture below)

Those who attended said there were huge queues down the road, the hall was completely packed, people were still waiting outside in the rain and they had to run two sittings just to fit everyone in. 

Wealden District Council argues the site in Crowborough is self-contained and essential services will be provided there to reduce the impact on local services. But the council also says that there is very little it can do to influence the Government's decision. 

The Lib Dem Leader of Wealden District Council, James Partridge, told the BBC: “This isn’t actually our business at all. Wealden District Council does not do accommodation for asylum seekers. We don’t do immigration.”  

James Partridge continued (pictured below): “I think we’ve been put in a very unfair position. I feel I am defending a home office policy with which I don’t agree.”

He concluded: “We think that a minister should have made it very clear that that’s what they had decided and if it had been me I would have come to Crowborough. But that doesn’t seem to be how they operate.”

When asked why he had not informed the local MP Nus Ghani, James Partridge said the Home Office had promised to inform her.   Asked if he regretted not informing the MP or the public, James Partridge said: “Given the way things have turned out, I suppose yes I do.”

Moving asylum seekers to military sites is part of the government's attempt to end the controversial use of hotels – something it’s pledged to do before the next election.

Ministers are also considering industrial sites, temporary accommodation and otherwise disused accommodation.

Because it is Ministry of Defence land, the only powers the council has to intervene - through planning consent - could be overruled if the government decides the situation is an emergency.    

The Home Office says the site will be operated by Clear Springs Ready Homes - an experienced contractor that already manages similar facilities on its behalf.

Wealden District Council and Crowborough Town Council will host a public meeting on Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm at Crowborough Community Centre, and representatives from the Home Office will be in attendance.

The meeting will include an update from the Home Office, responses to the main questions submitted so far, and time for further questions on new or emerging matters.   There will be the option to attend in person or to watch online via live stream.