Local council says asylum seekers moved into Crowborough Army camp overnight - and they're seeking "legal advice"
Wealden Council says it's doing "all it can to oppose the Home Office’s decision"
Last updated 22nd Jan 2026
Asylum seekers were moved into Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex last night, says the local council, while ministers face pressure to end the use of asylum hotels.
27 men have been moved in, and the army camp is intended to house up to 500 adult male migrants while their asylum claims are being processed.
Wealden District Council posted on Facebook this morning: "We have been informed this morning by the Home Office that a small group of asylum seekers were moved into Crowborough Training Camp last night.
"We continue to seek legal advice."
Council leader James Partridge said he had spoken to Asylum Minister Alex Norris about the issue.
Partridge said: "I told the minister we still strongly feel that's the wrong decision, for reasons you'll all be familiar with.
"Despite our strong objection, the minister hasn't listened to any of us."
Partridge explained that the council is in talks with its legal team, "to see if there's any way we can bring a legal challenge.
"We will act if our barristers advise that there's a reasonable chance of success."
WDC also claimed earlier this week that the Home Office was "trying to avoid" applying for planning permission to change the use of the army camp.
Home Office data shows the number of asylum seekers being temporarily accommodated in hotels increased by 13% at the end of September, to a total of 36,273.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Illegal migration has been placing immense pressure on communities.
"That is why we are removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain, closing asylum hotels that are blighting communities.
"Crowborough is just the start. I will bring forward site after site until every asylum hotel is closed and returned to local communities."
The Home Office also said it will have completed health and police checks before arriving at the base.
The Crowborough site was used to house Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021 - and Cllr Partridge said he wanted to bring the community spirit of those times to the fore again.
"Whilst we know a lot of people will be angry, frightened and worried about this, we're going to have to try to find a way to make the best of it, and certainly not make matters worse.
"I hope everyone will come together in the way we did when the Afghan families and Ukrainian refugees arrived.
"Crowborough showed the best of itself."