Council secures commitment from Home Office to delay decision on the use of Crowborough Camp

The confirmation comes after Wealden District Council sent a letter addressed to Alex Norris MP on 11 December 2025 to ask for confirmation that no decision will be made about using Crowborough Army Camp to house asylum seekers until after the new year.  

In the letter, leader of Wealden council, Councillor James Partridge and deputy leader of Wealden council, Councillor Rachel Millward said, “With Christmas fast approaching, we have very significant concerns around the potential for your decision and possible use of the site to take place at a time when the focus of the local community should be on coming together and having peaceful family time. This is a challenging period for local service providers, particularly Sussex Police and the NHS as they balance complex pressures and their team’s reasonable expectation of a break with their families.

“Whilst we understand that you and your team do not want to enter into a running commentary on the timetable for your final decision, given these specific issues, we invite you to clarify that you have no intention of ruining Christmas for our community and those that work tirelessly to protect and care for us, and confirm that no decision will be made before 5 January at the very earliest.”

Separately, for the avoidance of doubt, the Home Office has also confirmed to Wealden District Council that no service users will be moving from Napier barracks (due to close on 19 December) to Crowborough.

Wealden District Council is continuing to do all it can to oppose the Home Office’s decision to house asylum seekers at the Crowborough Army Camp and to continue to work with local authorities.