Northeye: Legal challenge against Home Office plans to house refugees

Rother District Council has written to the Court of Appeal to consider plans to make Northeye in Bexhill into a refugee camp.

It comes as part of another ongoing claim from Braintree District Council which is taking legal action for an asylum centre at Wethersfield Airfield in Essex.

The result of this legal challenge will impact on the future of Northeye, which was a category C prison from 1969 to 1992.

The boiler room which contains asbestos

The Home Office’s plans to house up to 800 migrants at the site by September have proven deeply unpopular among people in Bexhill.

Councillor Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District, said: “It’s good news that we’ve been successful with our intervention in the Braintree case.

"The court will now have information relating to the Northeye site when considering the legal arguments in the Braintree case.

"The outcome of the Braintree case is important as it will impact on the Home Office’s approach to planning requirements in relation to the Northeye site. We now await the decision of the court with interest.”

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Rother District Council said it is pleased to confirm that its application to intervene in an appeal by Braintree District Council was successful on Friday last week.

A spokeswoman added: “Braintree is appealing to the Court of Appeal over a plan for an asylum centre at Wethersfield Airfield. Braintree’s appeal relates to an injunction against the Home Office over this proposal. The Court of Appeal dealt with the appeal at a hearing yesterday.

“Rother’s application means the Court, when dealing with the Braintree case, will now also take into account the proposal for an asylum centre at Northeye in Bexhill in its decision.”

There have been multiple protests from residents over the plans to house refugees at Northeye.

An aerial view of the site

The Argus revealed that the site did contain Asbestos in April.

The highly carcinogenic material was found in two of 77 boreholes drilled at the site by the Home Office.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites and other suitable sites will provide cheaper and more orderly housing for those arriving in small boats while helping to reduce the use of hotels.  

“We understand the concerns of local communities and will work closely with councils and key partners to manage the impact of using these sites, including liaising with local police to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.”