The government has completed its controversial purchase of a former prison that will house asylum seekers, a council has said.

Northeye, a former category C prison in Bexhill, was announced as a proposed location to house 1,200 people in March this year.

Rother District Council claimed that the Home Office did not inform it of the purchase which it has described as "dissapointing".

The council previously wrote to the Court of Appeal to consider the government’s plans to house people at the site.

The Argus: Nearby residents have complained about the plans for the siteNearby residents have complained about the plans for the site (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

In a statement on Monday, council leader Doug Oliver said: “It is our understanding that the government’s purchase of the Northeye site has been completed.

“It is disappointing that neither Rother District Council nor local residents were informed by the Home Office of this important change, despite the commitment made to keep all stakeholders informed.”

Mr Oliver added that no final decision had been made to use the site, and that the council was seeking more information from the Home Office on their proposals to reassure residents.

“We remain committed to seeking to ensure that any use of the Northeye site is lawful and acceptable and that the views of the local community are heard by all bodies responsible for making decisions,” Mr Oliver said.

There was uproar from nearby residents who protested about the site being used for asylum seekers.

They have expressed safety concerns after the site was confirmed to contain asbestos.

The site, which was a prison between 1969 and 1992, suffered a massive fire in 1986.

Asbestos was confirmed to be in the heating system and there were traces of the toxic substance on the ground as a result of the fire.

The Argus: The boiler room, pictured, is confirmed to contain asbestosThe boiler room, pictured, is confirmed to contain asbestos

In April, Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council said they had been informed of the plans just hours before the Government announcement on March 29.

In August, Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman said if the use of Northeye goes ahead it will be a “closed, detained and secure” site for people awaiting deportation from the UK.

According to the Home Office’s factsheet on its plans for Northeye, it is working on proposals to use the disused prison as asylum accommodation and is exploring it being used for detention purposes.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.