Protesters Rally Against Asylum Seeker Camp at Former Military Base
Local residents voice concerns over safety and resources as a former training camp begins housing migrants.
Protesters gathered in Crowborough, Sussex, to voice objections as a former military training camp started accommodating asylum seekers. The site, initially planned for 350 male migrants, has seen its capacity increased to 540.
Demonstrators, organized by the local group 'Crowborough Says No,' marched through the town center holding banners with slogans such as 'Crowborough says no.' Counter-demonstrators were also present, displaying signs like 'migrants welcome' and 'kindness is our strength.' Sussex Police implemented rules prohibiting face coverings during the protest.
The demonstration occurred as a village in Oxfordshire, Piddington, symbolically voted to declare independence from the UK in protest of government plans to convert a former military base into a camp for 1,256 male asylum seekers. Residents in Piddington expressed concerns that the number of asylum seekers would significantly outnumber the local population and potentially increase crime.
Cherwell District Council, which oversees Piddington, has described the government's plans for the site as 'ambiguous' and posing 'avoidable' risks. The council cited issues such as a lack of a proposed layout, potential problems with wastewater provisions, surface-water flooding, ecological impact, and access arrangements. Concerns were also raised about the possibility of asbestos and unexploded ordnance at the former defense storage and distribution center.
Plans to use the Crowborough camp for housing migrants were first announced by the government in October and confirmed in January, prompting ongoing demonstrations. Liam Tomsett, who co-founded 'Crowborough Says No,' stated that he felt compelled to act after hearing about the plans. Tomsett was previously arrested during confrontations at the site, though charges were later dropped.
The Piddington parish council had previously noted that the site lacked pedestrian access, with government suggestions including issuing asylum seekers with high-visibility jackets for walking along a nearby busy road.