Wethersfield Asylum Centre capacity to be temporarily increased

Braintree District Council have been informed by the Government that they intend to temporarily increase the capacity at Wethersfield Asylum Centre.

The centre currently has a capacity limit of 800 beds, but the Home Office will expand that 1,245 on a temporary basis. The first of these spaces will be potentially in use from today (31st July).

They say the Inflow would be gradually increased and in keeping with the site’s established intake process of taking only 60 individuals a week. The Home Office has stated they do not plan to exceed 1,245.

Cllr Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council, said: “At the earliest opportunity, I updated the Council that the Home Office was considering this option for Wethersfield due to record small boat arrivals."

“We now have had confirmation of the plans, along with more details on how this would operate, which we are now sharing."

“We will continue to monitor the situation and, along with other partners, hold the Home Office to account to ensure that the site runs safely alongside the local community.”

However, the intake may raise to up to 100 a week, but the Home office intend to return to regular levels of in October. There will be a detailed schedule of activity for the planned drawdown announced by the Home Office ahead of that time.

The Council says that after a maximum of nine months on the site, men will continue to be sent onto 'dispersed accommodation outside of the Braintree district area'.

Cllr Butland added: “This does not change what we have been saying for more than two years since we first learnt of the Home Office’s plans; this disused airbase in a very rural area does not have the infrastructure to host asylum seekers on such a large scale.”

The council say they have consistently opposed the change of use for Wethersfield airfield through various legal challenges in the High Court and through the Court of Appeal, which proved unsuccessful.