The government moved the first asylum seekers into a military barracks in East Sussex as it accelerates its push to end hotel accommodation for migrants. But the relocation of 27 men to Crowborough Training Camp has triggered an immediate legal challenge from the local council.
The Home Office plans to house up to 500 adult male migrants at the site, which features 24/7 security, CCTV, and strict sign-in procedures. All residents completed health and police checks before arrival.
The government announced plans last year to use former military facilities, including Cameron Barracks in Inverness, Scotland.
Council challenges planning permission
Wealden District Council challenged the approach on Wednesday, arguing the Home Office is "trying to avoid" applying for planning permission by relying on permitted development rights. The council says this approach "highlights a range of issues and inconsistencies" with previous Home Office information.
Council Leader James Partridge said: "Planning law exists to protect people and places. It says that changes to the use of land and buildings must be properly assessed for their impact on landscapes, noise, safety, traffic and the environment, and that communities should have a voice in decisions that affect them. No organisation, however large, can bypass proper scrutiny when communities are affected and we will continue to push for the Home Office to comply with the law on this."
Government vows more sites to come
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the move, promising additional facilities beyond Crowborough. She said: "Illegal migration has been placing immense pressure on communities. That is why we are removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain, closing asylum hotels that are blighting communities. Crowborough is just the start. I will bring forward site after site until every asylum hotel is closed and returned to local communities."
The government pledged to end hotel use for asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament. However, hotels still housed 36,273 asylum seekers by late September – a 13% increase.
Protesters demonstrated in Crowborough over the relocation.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).