Hundreds of residents in a small Sussex town have taken to the streets in furious opposition to government plans to accommodate up to 600 male asylum seekers in a local army training camp.
Community Outcry Over "Underhand" Plans
The picturesque town of Crowborough in East Sussex, with a population of just 22,000, faces what locals describe as an "underhand" move by the government to use the Crowborough Army Training Camp for asylum accommodation. Organisers estimated that hundreds turned out to demonstrate against the proposal, with some reports suggesting attendance reached up to 1,200 people.
The protest comes as Wealden District Council deputy leader Rachel Millward revealed the local authority had sought legal advice about the move. She confirmed the council was unable to stop the plans using their planning powers because the site sits on Crown land.
Local Services at Breaking Point
Residents have expressed serious concerns about the impact on already strained local services, particularly healthcare. Sasha Ridley voiced worries about GP appointments, explaining she already has to wait "hours" on the phone to secure a booking.
The NHS is legally required to provide services to asylum seekers, and NHS Sussex stated it was working to meet the immediate health needs of this community. According to BBC reports, migrants would be registered with local GPs for specialist care, while primary care would be provided on-site or virtually.
Mother Claire Firmager expressed her terror, saying: "I've not slept since I heard about it. My daughter lives right beside it with her child on her own and I'm really scared for her."
Safety Fears and Community Concerns
Many residents raised security concerns, with Shirley Hartfield stating: "We don't want people here we don't know anything about. I don't want to be confronted by them in the street."
Barbara Mayne, who joined the protest, said she would fear for her safety if the plans proceed: "I'm terrified. I won't be going out at night on my own if this goes ahead." Her comments referenced recent cases of prisoners being accidentally released, including sex offenders Hadush Kebatu and Brahim Kaddour-Cherif.
The camp itself has significant historical importance, having been used by Canadian forces preparing for D-Day during World War II. More recently, it accommodated Afghan families evacuated during the 2021 withdrawal from Kabul before they were resettled elsewhere.
Political Backlash and Legal Challenges
Green Party councillor Rachel Millward told the BBC she was "absolutely appalled" at the Home Office's "radical mismanagement", alleging that plans had been leaked from the government department confirming the move "without public consultation".
Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, Nus Ghani, has started an online petition calling the plans "wholly inappropriate". Meanwhile, a public meeting organised by Reform UK saw over 300 people pack into Crowborough Community Centre, with hundreds more locked outside.
Independent councillor Andrew Wilson, the only elected official to answer questions at the meeting, expressed cynicism about promises that the camp would only be used for 12 months, noting: "I believe this is the largest in the country."
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."
The spokesperson confirmed that all sites would comply with safety, security, health and wellbeing standards, and that the Home Office was in contact with Sussex Police regarding the protests.
