Barracks asylum seeker plan expected to be postponed

Plans to temporarily accommodate 540 single male asylum seekers at a military base in East Sussex are facing potential delays. According to recent information from the Home Office, the individuals were scheduled to stay at an army training facility on the outskirts of Crowborough for approximately 12 months.

Wealden District Council had previously reported that the government intended for the men to be relocated to the site in late November. However, a Home Office spokesperson emphasized that authorities are committed to avoiding past errors, which resulted in rushed arrangements that created unsafe and disorganized conditions affecting the local community.

The spokesperson added that the government is actively working to expedite plans for both Crowborough and Cameron Barracks near Inverness, but relocations will only occur once the sites are fully prepared and safe.

At present, the exact timing for housing the asylum seekers in Crowborough remains uncertain, as do the reasons behind the postponement. The proposals recently sparked public demonstrations, with hundreds taking to the streets in protest.

Author: Sophia Brooks