Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Crowborough, East Sussex, on Sunday to oppose government plans to continue housing asylum seekers at the town’s former military training camp until the end of the decade.
The protest reflected growing frustration among some local residents, who say they were previously led to believe the temporary accommodation would close after this year.
Families, children and community members assembled outside Crowborough Training Camp before marching through the town centre, where they encountered a smaller counter-demonstration supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
Government Extension Sparks Local Backlash
The protest follows this week’s announcement that the former army barracks could remain in use as accommodation for migrants arriving in the UK by small boats until 2030.
The decision surprised many local leaders after Home Office officials had reportedly assured them the facility would not continue operating beyond 2026.
Residents who attended the demonstration said they felt those earlier assurances had been broken, prompting renewed opposition to the government’s plans.
Many protesters carried English flags and banners calling for tougher border controls, while chants criticizing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed throughout the march.
Protesters Voice Safety and Community Concerns
Several residents said they believe extending the use of the camp will have a lasting impact on the local community.
Sandra March, a mother who joined the demonstration, described the decision as deeply worrying, arguing that the continued presence of large numbers of asylum seekers has left some residents feeling uneasy.
She claimed many people in the town are concerned about safety and questioned why the accommodation should remain open for several more years.
Another demonstrator said some families had already chosen to relocate because of the camp, adding that many locals believed the arrangement was intended to be temporary rather than long-term.
Counter-Protest Calls for Solidarity
While the anti-migrant protest attracted the larger crowd, a smaller group of counter-demonstrators also gathered in the town centre to express support for refugees.
Holding signs with messages including “One World, One Love” and “Everyone Is Our Neighbour,” the group called for compassion toward people seeking asylum and urged the community to reject division.
Despite the contrasting views, both demonstrations remained focused on expressing their respective positions over the government’s immigration policy.
Convoy Leads March Through Town
The procession was led by a silver Ford van decorated with England flags and banners reading “Stop the Boats” and “Crowborough Says No.”
Public records later showed the vehicle’s MOT certificate had expired earlier in June.
As marchers moved through the town, many sang songs criticizing government spending priorities, arguing that more support should be directed toward public services and struggling British families before additional accommodation is provided for asylum seekers.
Wider Expansion of Migrant Accommodation Underway
Crowborough is only one part of a broader government strategy to increase accommodation capacity for asylum seekers.
Ministers recently confirmed they have submitted planning applications to convert RAF Barnham in Suffolk, RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire and a former military barracks in Bicester, Oxfordshire, into additional housing facilities.
The government also plans to extend operations at existing sites, including Crowborough and Wethersfield, creating nearly 5,000 extra beds for migrants entering the UK through irregular Channel crossings.
Previous Barracks Proposal Faced Similar Resistance
The latest controversy mirrors opposition seen several years ago when plans were announced to house up to 1,500 asylum seekers at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
That proposal was eventually abandoned in 2022 following strong objections from local residents and legal action brought by the local council.
At the same time, ministers have announced the closure of another 20 hotels currently being used to accommodate asylum seekers, including the Bell Hotel in Epping, as part of efforts to shift migrants from hotels into larger government-managed sites.
Immigration Debate Continues to Divide Communities
The Crowborough demonstration highlights the continuing divisions surrounding Britain’s asylum accommodation policy.
Supporters of the government’s strategy argue that dedicated sites reduce reliance on expensive hotels and provide a more structured approach to housing asylum seekers.
Critics, however, say local communities have not been adequately consulted and remain concerned about the long-term impact on public services, community cohesion and local infrastructure.
With the government’s expansion plans moving forward, immigration is expected to remain one of the country’s most fiercely debated political issues in the months ahead.
