I have had a huge number of emails over the past few days as everyone in Crowborough grapples with the news that broke last Tuesday that the Home Office had informed Wealden that they intended to use the MOD site at Crowborough to house up to 600 migrant males.
Many of you have emailed a number of councillors wanting to know our view on what we think about this proposal (and what the Council is doing about it). I intend to use this piece to put in writing my perspective of the events from October 10th to this point (November 3rd); my view; and actions taken to date.
We are told that the District Council was informed on October 10th 2025 that the Home Office held a teams call with a number of parties, which included representatives from Wealden District Council. On this call it is alleged that the Home Office informed Wealden of their “intention” to use the Crowborough Training Camp (which is an MOD site and thus “Crown Land”) for the purpose of asylum seeker accommodation.
A letter was sent to Mike Tapp, the current Minister for Migration and Citizenship on October 22nd. Interestingly, this is a further example of the chaotic and inefficient way Wealden has approached this debacle, Councillor Partridge wrote to the wrong minister. The appropriate minister would have been Alex Norris who is the Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum. It’s no wonder it was ineffective – they wrote to the wrong person. As my daughters might say “epic fail”. What a shambles.
Notwithstanding this further evidence of the chronic incompetence. The tone of the letter is polite and appears to focus on service provision indeed, the letter says:
“We are therefore writing to set out our concerns, confirm our understanding of the proposals, and to ensure that we and all local partners are fully consulted as plans emerge”
Firstly, I’m assuming that the “we” referred to in this letter related to Wealden District Council. However, at this point, no communication had been made to the wider elected membership of Wealden; not to the opposition at least. It is important to note that Wealden is run by an Administration comprising Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour. No communication was made outside this group. A serious error of judgement in my view and certainly not the “Open, honest and transparent” Council Wealden purports to be. The letter seems more concerned with procedure and I can see little evidence (if anything at all) of any effort to object or challenge the Home Office intention. The letter ends with:
“We recognise that the Home Office is not seeking our permission to use the Camp for this purpose, but we are keen to work with you to ensure your plans are as effective as possible and the impact on the community is carefully managed. We welcomed the opportunity for our officers to meet with your operational teams and hope this partnership working can continue.”
Jump forward 6 days to Tuesday October 28th and news broke in the press that Crowborough Army Camp was intended to be used to house 600 migrants. Wealden Councillors were invited to an “urgent” meeting that morning where the Leadership of Wealden informed those who were on the call (as many were not able to make it) about what they had been told eighteen days earlier. 18 days of no communication with the wider member body – people elected to look after your interests and make representations on your behalf. It emerged that day that Nusrat Ghani, the MP for Sussex Weald had also been kept in the dark about the intended use of the camp. A camp within walking distance to the centre of one of the largest towns in the constituency. Along with the public, she was rightly angry and looking for answers. That same day, Wealden put up a website with some further information; information they had in their possession for 18 days.
At 0939 that morning I emailed the CEO of Wealden District Council, Trevor Scott requesting that the Council convene an emergency meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee. As an opposition Councillor I am Chairman of that Committee the reason I gave for the urgency was:
“to consider the implications of the Home Office decision to use Crowborough Training Camp for asylum accommodation, which has arisen without prior consultation and requires immediate scrutiny to protect public safety and community confidence”
I spoke that afternoon with a senior officer at Wealden and agreed that as there is a meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee on November 10th that we could incorporate this item into the agenda. This was confirmed later in the week with another of Wealden’s Directors.
On Wednesday 29th October an urgent question was raised on the floor of the House of Commons regarding the use of Crowborough Training Camp along with Cameron Barracks in Inverness to house asylum seekers. Thankfully, the Home Office sent the correct Minister to answer those questions. Contributions were made from 2 MP’s in Sussex, Mims Davies (Uckfield and East Grinsted) and Kieren Mullen (Bexhill and Battle). Nus Ghani, as Deputy Speaker is prohibited from engaging in debates on the floor.
On the same day, Rachel Millward, the Deputy Leader of Wealden District Council and Green Party member posted a copy of a letter to Nus Ghani on Twitter sent on behalf of her and James Partridge.
On Thursday October 30th I attended a meeting in Crowborough that had been organised by Reform Sussex Weald. I had agreed to come and speak at the meeting to the extent I could provide some context in what was a fast moving and confusing and worrying situation for many . The meeting brought hundreds of residents of Crowborough to the Community Centre in an impressive display of the community we are fortunate enough to have here. Many were angry (rightly so) at being kept in the dark.
I did my level best to inform residents about what was happening – I was there of my own choice. I gave my view and perspective as a Local Crowborough Councillor. The entire meeting was recorded and is available online. It’s worth noting that the Leadership of WDC did not attend but there were several Conservative and Independent Councillors in attendance. One takeaway from me is that residents of Crowborough will be looking out for one another more than ever if we are unable to prevent this unsuitable and potentially dangerous proposal for the use of the camp.
The following day, the Wealden Green Party released a statement on the Crowborough Army Camp. You can read it here. To my mind, they completely neglect to acknowledge the problem and community concerns. I will outline why I believe this to be the case below.
Nusrat Ghani released information on Friday evening that she had been informed by the Home Office that Wealden would be given money for each asylum seeker in the camp. Unbelievable. I am livid if there has been a deal to potentially sacrifice the safety of Crowborough for a pittance. No amount of money can compensate Crowborough and there is no compulsion that this money be spent on Crowborough.
On Saturday November 1st, Wealden released a letter written by James Partridge (the Liberal Democrat Leader of WDC) and Rachel Millward (Green Party Deputy Leader and their candidate for Sussex Mayor). My view is that letter again falls far short of what Wealden needs and expects. No material challenge is raised in the letter and it reads more like a whinge. Again, it falls far short of the standard expected of the Council.
That brings us to today.
What should Wealden do?
In every single case where large concentrations of asylum seekers have been proposed, it is the Local District or Borough Council that has fought on behalf of residents. There is complexity as the Home Office is attempting to use Crown Powers under the General Permitted Development Order 2015. Does this mean that nothing can be done? Not in my view. “Not my fault gov” is buck passing.
There are potential avenues that we need to explore as a Council. At this point, I am not aware they have mounted any form of credible challenge. Wealden needs to outline the avenues they have explored and potentially discounted. I would also like to see strong representations made about the open camp policy. “If” the camp is used – occupants should be confined to the camp unable to wander the streets of Crowborough and Wealden. It needs to be a closed facility. I don’t see a political will to effectively challenge the use of the Camp. It’s not good enough. I intend explore all of this in detail at the Scrutiny meeting. If WDC leadership won’t act, opposition will have do apply pressure to get off the fence.
I would also like to see Wealden District Council hold a meeting in Crowborough to explain what they are doing and why they have taken the course they have. Leadership without action is just a title.
Why have the Leadership not objected with force?
As I stated above, the Leadership comprises Green Party, Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors. The Green Party are the dominant force within the Alliance, ideologically driven and their stated policies are not conducive to objecting to the camp’s use. Indeed, the UK would be flooded with migrants if they were ever to gain more than the handful of MP’s they have. I believe Rachel Millward, being the Deputy Leader of the National Green Party of England and Wales is conflicted.
Their policy book includes the following:
- The Green Party wants to see a world without borders, until this happens the Green Party will implement a fair and humane system of managed immigration where people can move if they wish to do so.
- The Green Party believes that migration is not a criminal offence under any circumstances (ie there is no distinction between legal and illegal migration).
- The Green Party is opposed to forced migration and forced repatriation unless standard exclusions apply.
- The Green Party seeks to establish a system that recognises that all migrants are treated as citizens in waiting and therefore supports and encourages them to put down roots in their new home.
- Undocumented migrants will be given free advice and support to help them to regularise their status without penalty for being undocumented.
The full policy book on the Green Party Asylum and immigration policy is here: https://migration.greenparty.org.uk/migration-policy/
You can decide for yourself whether you think this this formal policy list is compatible with a willingness to robustly challenge the Home Office desire to use the camp in Crowborough for one of the largest concentrations of illegal male entrants to the UK and all of the potential issues that brings for Crowborough and more widely, Wealden and the UK. I think it’s nuts.
More recently, the wider Green Group at East Sussex County Council attempted to “designate East Sussex as a County of Sanctuary” for migrants – even suggesting the County Council sign up to an organisation called the “Migrant Champions network” – an organisation that advocates against data sharing with the Home Office. The Green Party attempt was rightly voted down.
So in summary:
WDC have been aware of the government position since October 10th
- WDC briefed their own councillors significantly in advance of opposition councillors
- I was kept in the dark while Green & Lib Dem Crowborough Councillors were briefed
- There is no evidence that key cabinet members have visited the site
- They’ve attempted to pass the buck claiming no agency in this process when they are clearly the lead stakeholder and the planning authority (It’s their District!!!)
- WDC have as far as we are aware taken no external legal advice
- WDC have known about government funds according to the Home Office and not shared this with their councillors or the public
- WDC’s very limited communications have been lame and the letters were sent to the wrong Minister
- Their pre-occupations seem to subordinate the welfare of local people to that of the illegal migrants (clearly there is a balance to be found here)
- An apparent ideological predisposition to accommodating large numbers of asylum seekers in the community
WDC has not reached for or considered any of the tools used by other District Councils put in a similar position:
Judicial Review
Stop Order
Request for lower camp numbers
Request for a closed as opposed to an open processing facility
Raised concerns related to illegal migrants absconding
Made specific and material demands to support the welfare of our impacted community
What the Council needs to do now is work together for the best outcome for our residents.
Please comment below whether you object to or support the home office proposal. I think you all know where I stand.
Post publication updates
- Nov 3 – Since publication of this post earlier today, I have noted that the District Council has amended the record of communications posted on November 1st. The letter sent to Mike Tapp has been removed and very curiously replaced with a letter to Minister of State Alex Norris. I will pursue questions around this at the upcoming Scrutiny meeting on November 10th.
23 responses to “Crowborough Camp – no place for 600 migrants”
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I agree with all your suggested tools but this is urgent. They say they will arrive in a week or so now so your Nov 10th meeting seems will be too late
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I am totally against the use of the camp for housing illegal immigrants and believe that WDC have acted with negligence.
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An excellent synopsis of the situation to date. It lays bare the fact that a proportion of the people running the local council – and to whom we pay significant amounts of money – are an uneasy mix of political activists and incompetent amateurs – or both. Whilst they can normally coast along attending meetings and wrangling over comparative minutiae out of the public eye, when a situation like this arises they flail around and are revealed to be sadly wanting.. Above all, they have no real care or sense of responsibility vis a vis those they represent (though turnout for local elections, when allowed, is dreadfully low). We can only hope that some amongst them develop a backbone and do what is necessary to fight this awful plan.
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I agree totally with all your points, and wish we could rid ourselves of bodies that do not support their local community
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These councillors are career politicians, as are most of our politicians these days. They are not interested in serving the community they have been elected to, their only interest is self promotion. There are some exceptions, but very few.
The councillors who were privy to the intentions of the Home Office, should be sacked for gross misconduct, their only motive is bowing to their superiors. They have not served the community who elected them, they tried to brush this under the carpet, hoping that nobody found out until it was a done deal. Failing to include the local MP and other elected councillors was a mistake, failing to allow the community a voice was their biggest mistake, and hopefully their downfall. They DO have the power to at least delay the arrival of the asylum seekers, if it suits their agenda, but the longer they dither, the more anger and frustration is boiling up amongst the community. They are causing us to argue and disagree amongst ourselves, when we must stand together. Whatever your views about the asylum seekers, the councillors need to be accountable for their gross negligence and deceit to our community. This circus needs to stop. They must listen to us. They must serve us. They must fight for us.
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Removing a key email from a trail of official council communications from a council website which has been set up to explain the council position looks highly dubious. Was this actioned by civil servants unilaterally or under instruction from their political masters? It’s a governance catastrophe. Trying to cover up the original sin often does for politicians. So much for open, honest and transparent. Keep asking the questions Andrew.
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WDC have historical in doctoring documents. Documents on line at 5 pm one day mysteriously at. 9am the next day have been massaged
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600 undocumented young men living in fairly spartan conditions with nothing to do, wandering around our small town in groups – what could possibly go wrong? What is Wealden Council doing to represent us – absolutely nothing. Be it on your heads when things go pear shaped. There is genuine anger and resentment at their lack of transparency. There is also genuine fear about walking out on your own anywhere or walking on the Forest. That is a pleasure these young men may have on their own as many women and children of Crowborough will be too frightened to walk alone anywhere. This cannot happen.
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What was initially a difficult situation has been turned into a complete circus of disaster by the Alliance members in [particular Cllr Millward. Everyone can see she is conflicted on the situation and cannot be trusted. Taking down letters and just replacing them is like an admission of failure. All we are seeing is Cllr Millward promoting herself across social media in a lame attempt to pacify the residents of Wealden but failing miserably. Every day a new video gets posted the hole she is digging keeps getting deeper. All of the Alliance need to come out of hiding and start to meet those who elected them into post and listen to them, give them answers and explanations but most importantly show that they are representing the electorate and will fight on their behalf not just float along with the Green Party manifesto. Alliance members seem to be forgetting that the public will remember this for a very long time to come so I can only assume that none of them will be seeking re-election when the time comes. Don’t even mention the millions of pounds WDC have been promised for ‘hosting’ these immigrants. Keep going Andrew you are serving all of the community well and respected for it.
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Well done Andrew
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Whatever the rights and wrongs of the proposal to use the Camp for housing migrants, of far greater concern is the apparent willingness of the various levels of local government to obey instructions from a higher level. In this case, for the moment, WDC complying with the Home Office ‘request’ to remain silent.
A part of the job for each level of local administration is to be willing to be a thorn in the side – the Town Council towards WDC, WDC towards ESCC and so on. We know why it doesn’t happen – the men in grey suits effect – but it merely serves to diminish any residual faith in democracy.
I understand the various reasons for Crowborough residents to express their unease about the Camp. I have no confidence that their concerns will be given more than cursory consideration. I shall not be attending any of the various planned events since I do not believe that they can serve any purpose. I hope that, in time, I shall be proved wrong.
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Totally agree with you. Appreciate what you are trying to do, and that you actually turned up to the meeting to meet the people you represent. Keep going.
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Totally agree with you. Well said.
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I object this proposal. I also fear that the numbers will increase, at this happened at Wethersfield – started with 500 and increased to over 1,200 within a year.
This is an excellent overview and an insight into the functioning(!) of WDC. Thank you, Andrew. I do not know what is more frightening, 600 unknown men on our doorstep or the leadership of WDC.
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I totally disagree with housing 600 illegal immigrants, all male in the Crowbough Army Camp!!! Why are you doing this?
These young men cannot provide jobs as they have no qualifications and cannot put funds back into our coffers. What are they going to do all day?
I am extremely concerned for my safety and the safety of all our ladies and young girls.
We need more money for tax payers who are working so hard, pensioners who have worked so hard. We need more money for our schools, NHS and fixing our roads.
It’s a struggle for the residents. -
Totally agree Andrew, very clear.
WDC are guilty of negligence.
They have let down the people in Crowborough, and some councillors should loose their jobs. It is incompetence. -
The proposal to house these asylum seekers at the Training Camp is nonsensical.
It is unfair on the asylum seekers as they will be stranded in the middle of nowhere in very basic accommodation with nothing to do.
It is more unfair on the people and businesses of Crowborough as it is likely that large groups of these people will roam freely with no apparent purpose. This could cause a blight that will affect everyone adversely for a long time.
It is particularly unfair on families with more vulnerable members as they will be worried to go out, or let their relatives out, and this could lead to depression, anxiety and less opportunities to be fit and healthy. -
Taking down documents from public view then tampering with them prior to re posting or as I experienced doctoring them mysteriously over night is not uncommon at Wealden DC.
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Keep up the good work, apply the pressure, ensure those who have acted negligently are held to account and made to justify their actions to the public.
WDC has made no attempt to challenge this, only taking lip service action once the news hit the press. Too little too late in my mind. -
I very much object to the proposal and agree with your assessment of the situation.
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Completely object to this I fear for the safety of my family and the community as a whole. What an absolute shambles in how this has been handled.
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Please keep fighting for us (Crowborough Community and local communities near us). It’s great o have you on our side. WDC has really let us down!!
Resident of Crowborough
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Also THANK YOU Andrew
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