Crowborough Residents Rally as UK Prepares Army Camp for Asylum Seekers

CROWBOROUGH, England (Epicstorian News) — Hundreds of residents marched through Crowborough on Sunday as opposition grew against plans to house asylum seekers at a nearby army training camp.

Local organisers said the demonstrations marked the third consecutive weekend of protests in East Sussex, according to a report by DailyMail.

The Home Office said it intends to transfer around 600 asylum seekers to Crowborough Training Camp by the end of next month. Officials said the move forms part of efforts to reduce hotel accommodation costs and shift arrivals into more “suitable, managed sites.”

Crowborough Residents Point to Insufficient Consultation

Residents told reporters they felt the decision had been imposed without sufficient consultation. Local councillors said they were notified only shortly before the plans became public.

Campaigners said concerns escalated after reports suggested that cadet training activities might be removed to create space for incoming asylum seekers. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told national media outlets that safeguarding considerations for cadets “remain under active review.”

Two marches began in different parts of the town before merging in the centre, where groups carried banners and numbered bibs representing the expected number of arrivals. Organisers said the demonstration drew between 2,000 and 3,000 participants despite heavy rain.

Local group Crowborough Shield said volunteers have been conducting informal patrols near cadet meeting points as preparations continue at the site. Parents told local media they were worried about safeguarding arrangements amid uncertainty surrounding the camp’s future use.

Sussex Police said officers had attended a separate community event in the town to provide general crime-prevention advice. A police spokesperson said the engagement was not connected to the army camp plans.

Large perimeter fences have been installed around the training facility in recent days, according to residents. Witnesses said security guards with dogs had been seen patrolling the grounds as construction activity increased.

The Ministry of Defence said it “takes the safety and wellbeing of all cadets extremely seriously” and continues to work with the Home Office. According to the department, discussions are ongoing about how military and youth training may be affected by the temporary accommodation plans.

Additional concern followed media reports earlier this year that some asylum hotel residents nationwide had been charged with criminal offences. These reports were widely cited by protesters, although officials said such cases represent a small proportion of the overall asylum-seeking population.

Residents said rapid changes had placed pressure on local services in recent years. Community representatives told reporters they were seeking clearer communication from national authorities about the long-term use of the camp.

Former military sites have been used previously to house asylum seekers in different parts of the UK. A 2023 parliamentary report noted that facilities in Kent, Essex and Lincolnshire had been repurposed during accommodation shortages.

Home Office documentation published last year described large-site accommodation as a measure intended to reduce reliance on hotels. Officials said similar sites had been used across Europe during periods of increased irregular migration.

Crowborough residents cited a 2022 Home Office review that acknowledged challenges associated with placing asylum seekers in remote or rural settings. Protesters said they were worried the site’s location on the town’s outskirts may make integration and access to services more difficult.

Asylum Seekers and Local Safety Concerns

Local campaigners said safety concerns featured prominently in recent meetings. Community leaders told reporters they were seeking verified information from the Home Office regarding risk assessments and mitigation plans.

Senior cadet instructors said they might suspend training once asylum seekers arrive. They said they were awaiting formal guidance on safeguarding arrangements for youth detachments operating on the same grounds.

A spokesperson for the Army Cadet Force Association told reporters that previous relocations at other sites required complex planning. The spokesperson said decisions about training continuity are often shaped by site layout, movement controls and shared-use protocols.

Some residents carried signs calling for clearer security measures. Organisers said they would continue to request meetings with national officials as preparations progress.

Police said they are investigating reports of broken windows at the training camp. Officers said they would explore “any reasonable lines of enquiry” and continue working with local partners to monitor tensions.

Similar concerns have been raised in other UK towns where military sites were repurposed. In 2023, council leaders in North Yorkshire requested formal impact assessments when a former RAF base was designated for asylum accommodation.

A Home Office spokesperson said the department is “committed to providing safe and legal facilities” for all asylum seekers. Officials said well-established vetting processes remain in place for individuals entering centralised accommodation.

Residents said they felt public information had been insufficient since the announcement. Community groups said repeated requests for briefings were still awaiting responses from national authorities.

Wider Debate on Asylum Accommodation Policy

The arrival of asylum seekers in Crowborough forms part of a wider nationwide policy. Government documents submitted to Parliament said ministers aim to reduce reliance on hotels that have drawn criticism for cost and capacity pressures.

In 2022, the National Audit Office reported that hotel accommodation costs had reached more than £5 million per day. Officials said larger sites could reduce expenditure and provide more consistent oversight.

Charities working with asylum seekers said large-site facilities should include basic healthcare, legal assistance and support for vulnerable individuals. Organisations such as the Refugee Council said welfare standards must be upheld regardless of location.

Local authorities across the UK have previously raised concerns about short-notice decisions. A Local Government Association briefing in 2023 said councils often faced challenges planning services for sudden arrivals without advance consultation.

Residents in Crowborough said they would continue lobbying for transparency. Organisers said they intend to hold further demonstrations in the coming weeks.

Campaign group Crowborough Shield said it aims to keep the issue non-partisan. Its chair told reporters the group intends to focus on community impacts and the need for official communication.

The Home Office said detailed engagement sessions will be scheduled once operational plans are finalised. Officials said further updates will be provided when accommodation arrangements are confirmed.

Protesters said they were determined to maintain pressure on decision-makers. Residents said they hoped for clearer timelines and assurances as the transfer date approaches.