Hundreds of people have marched through the streets of Crowborough in protest at government plans to house up to 600 asylum seekers at a former military site.
The government announced plans in October for the asylum seekers to be housed in an army training camp on the outskirts of the East Sussex town.
The Home Office says it has taken the steps in an attempt to end the controversial use of hotels – something it has pledged to do before the next election.
Protests have taken place in Crowborough since the government announcement in October
The Home Office spokesperson said: “It is why work is under way to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country.
“Public safety remains our first priority.”
The government hoped the site would be up-and-running by the end of November, but protestors today said they felt the plans were being pushed upon them, and had serious concerns about 600 single male asylum seekers being held in their community.
On Thursday, Wealden District Council voted unanimously against the proposals and said they were ready to take legal action.
Crowborough training camp
Kim Bailey is the chair of Crowborough Shield, an organisation of residents concerned at the plans, and who organised today’s protest.
She said: “It’s a wholly unsafe and inappropriate decision.
“It’s not had any due process whatsoever by the Home Office.
“It’s essentially a little town on the edge of a forest that is placing these undocumented men at the training camp.”
It’s estimated that around 800 joined the peaceful march through the town centre to Chapel Green, where speeches were made by Nick Tenconi, leader of UKIP and Sarah White, member of Advance UK.
It’s estimated around 800 attended the march
But the campaign group, Stand Up to Racism says it has concerns about the involvement of factions from outside the town.
In a statement they said: “Ever since the announcement that the Home Office was planning to house asylum seekers in Crowborough Army Training Camp, outside forces have been pouring far-right rhetoric into our local community, further inflaming tensions.
“Organisers (of the protest marches) want to project the idea that Crowborough is universally unwelcoming to these asylum seekers.
“We know that hundreds of people are working to set up groups and work with organisations to ensure that, if these plans go ahead, the asylum seekers will be welcomed by the community.”
Sussex Police confirmed that a planned peaceful protest had taken place on Sunday morning, and no arrests were made.
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