A peaceful protest took place in Crowborough, East Sussex, on Sunday morning in response to government plans to accommodate up to 600 asylum seekers at a former military training camp on the outskirts of the town. The Home Office announced the proposal in October, positioning it as part of its national strategy to phase out the use of hotels for asylum accommodation. Sussex Police confirmed that the demonstration proceeded without incident and no arrests were made.
The disused training site in Crowborough is one of several military facilities the government is converting into large-scale accommodation centres for people seeking asylum. The Home Office says this approach is intended to reduce reliance on hotels, which have become a political flashpoint amid rising migration pressures and the escalating cost to the taxpayer. Ministers have repeatedly pledged to end the use of hotels entirely before the next general election.
A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC it was “furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country,” adding that relocating asylum seekers to military bases is aimed at easing pressure on local communities. Officials insisted that “public safety remains our first priority” and said ongoing coordination with local councils, property partners and residents aims to ensure a smooth transition away from hotel-based accommodation.
Council Criticises ‘Information Vacuum’ Around Government Plans
The Home Office has since apologised for its handling of the Crowborough announcement following criticism from Wealden District Council. Local authorities said the lack of communication and clarity created an “information vacuum,” heightening community unease, fuelling tensions and leading to threats directed at councillors.
Council leaders stressed that while communities need reliable information to prepare for such major changes, the rollout instead left them dealing with uncertainty and public backlash. The Home Office said it is now working to rebuild confidence through more consistent updates and engagement.
National Push to Replace Hotels With Large Accommodation Sites
The dispute in Crowborough mirrors tensions emerging in other parts of the UK where military bases, barges and large sites have been earmarked to house asylum seekers. Earlier this year, the government closed the Bibby Stockholm barge temporarily due to safety concerns, while plans for accommodation centres in Wethersfield and Scampton have sparked legal challenges from local councils. Ministers argue the shift away from hotels is essential to reduce costs and deter irregular migration, but critics say the approach risks overwhelming local services and undermining community cohesion.
