Wealden District Council taking "urgent legal advice" after Crowborough challenge dismissed
Yesterday a High Court decided the challenge against using a military training ground there was "premature"
Wealden District Council says it'll be taking "urgent legal advice" after a judge dismissed a case against housing asylum seekers in Crowborough.
Yesterday a High Court decided the challenge against using a military training ground there was "premature".
Crowborough Shield, a community interest company, began legal action against the Government last year after it announced it was considering housing up to 540 men at the site in East Sussex.
The group filed its claim in December last year after the Government's announcement in October.
In his ruling, Mr Justice Mould said that the challenge "is indeed premature" and that the group had "jumped the gun", as at the time the initial claim was launched, there was "no clearly determined policy to use the camp" as accommodation for asylum seekers.
He continued that there "would be no real prejudice" to the group or anyone else to bring a legal challenge "against the actual decision made".
A Wealden District Council spokesperson said the authority was "disappointed" with the court's ruling:
They said: "The council strongly opposed the use of the site for this purpose and argued that the Government was wrong to grant themselves planning permission, has failed to be transparent in its decision-making and reached a decision without proper engagement and consideration of local community and environmental impacts.
"The council participated in the hearing as an interested party, providing relevant supporting evidence and ensuring that the court was fully informed of local impacts and procedural history."
Meanwhile, Crowborough Shield, the group who brought the action, said it would be launching a new legal challenge before Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the group following the ruling, Matthew Shankland said:
"We believe that issuing this claim when we did was the only available course for our community."
He continued: "Our current inclination is to recommence proceedings next week."
A Home Office spokesperson said:
"We welcome the court's decision to refuse permission for this legal challenge.
"The government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain.
"That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving asylum seekers into basic accommodation like Crowborough."