The UK government is preparing to move the first group of asylum seekers to a military base in East Sussex early in the new year, as ministers step up efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
Officials are in discussions to use the army training camp at Crowborough within weeks, despite strong local opposition and threats of legal action from the district council and residents’ groups.
Military site identified for asylum housing
The Home Office is planning to house up to 540 male asylum seekers at the Crowborough camp, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Crowborough is one of two military sites identified by ministers to accommodate a total of around 900 people, with the other location based near Inverness in Scotland.
The East Sussex site is expected to be used primarily for men who have recently arrived in the UK by small boats, due to its proximity to the south coast.
Pressure to end use of asylum hotels
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers by the next general election, due no later than 2029.
However, pressure on the asylum system has intensified in recent months. Home Office figures show that 36,273 people were living in temporary asylum accommodation in September while awaiting decisions on their claims, a rise of 13% compared with June.
Ministers argue that alternative sites such as military bases are needed urgently to reduce costs and ease pressure on local communities hosting large numbers of hotels.
Delayed move after safety concerns
Officials initially hoped to begin transferring asylum seekers to Crowborough in early December but delayed the move to carry out further safety checks.
The caution followed previous accommodation controversies, including the discovery of legionella bacteria on the Bibby Stockholm barge, which forced the government to temporarily evacuate residents.
On 16 December, the Home Office wrote to Wealden District Council stating that no final decision had been made on the Crowborough site, while reassuring the council it would receive at least a week’s notice before any arrivals.
Preparations under way for January
Despite the earlier delay, preparations for the site are understood to be progressing, with Home Office staff seen at the camp in recent days.
Officials and ministers are said to be working towards a January start date for the first arrivals, subject to final checks.
Local opposition intensifies
The plans have triggered strong opposition in the Crowborough area, with residents raising concerns about local infrastructure, public services and community safety.
A residents’ group has raised more than £50,000 to fund a judicial review challenging the Home Office’s use of the military base.
Local campaigners argue that the surrounding area lacks sufficient transport links, healthcare capacity and other services to support hundreds of mostly young men who would be free to leave and return to the site.
Council threatens legal action
Wealden District Council has accused the Home Office of failing to communicate adequately with local authorities and residents.
Around 3,000 people have attended protests near the base, and the council said poor engagement had fuelled fear and misinformation within the community.
A council spokesperson said it would challenge the decision to use the camp if legally possible and confirmed that two senior barristers had been instructed to advise on next steps.
The council has already served a planning contravention notice on the Home Office as part of its response.
Security and protest concerns
Authorities are also preparing for further protests, including demonstrations by anti-migrant groups, some of which are believed to have links to far-right organisations.
Police and local agencies are understood to be coordinating plans to manage any large-scale demonstrations if asylum seekers are moved to the site.
Government defends strategy
A Home Office spokesperson said the government is determined to close asylum hotels and reduce the cost of the asylum system.
They said work is under way across government to identify more suitable accommodation sites, working with local authorities and property partners to speed up delivery.
The spokesperson added that ministers remain committed to ending hotel use as quickly as possible while ensuring accommodation is safe and secure.
