Residents marched through Crowborough after a former military training camp began housing asylum seekers, with protesters objecting to the site’s size and its potential impact on the town.
The temporary accommodation centre in Sussex is currently being used for up to 350 people, although plans could increase its capacity to 540. Demonstrators said they were concerned about safety and pressure on local services.
Large numbers of residents gathered with banners reading “Crowborough says no”, while counter-protesters held signs including “migrants welcome”, “kindness is our strength” and “stronger together”.
The demonstration was organised by the Crowborough Says No campaign group. Sussex Police imposed strict conditions, including a ban on face coverings.
Families and young children took part as the march began at the former military site before moving into the town centre. Some counter-protesters carried messages including “standing for compassion”, “keep racism off our streets” and “refugee rights are human rights”.
The protests began after the Government first announced plans to use the camp for asylum accommodation last October. The move was confirmed in January, prompting repeated demonstrations in the commuter town.
Liam Tomsett, a utilities manager and father of two, helped establish Crowborough Says No with a friend after hearing that up to 540 men could be housed at the site.
He said: “I thought something’s got to be done about it.” Mr Tomsett was arrested during confrontations at the centre and charged with common assault and possession of an offensive weapon, but the charges were later dropped.
The Crowborough protest came amid wider opposition to plans for another former military site in Oxfordshire.
In Piddington, residents voted by 285 to 26 in a symbolic referendum to declare independence from the UK over proposals to accommodate 1,256 male asylum seekers. The result has no legal force, but campaigners said it was intended to send a message to Westminster.
The proposed Piddington camp would house more than three times the village’s population of about 350 people, according to the material presented by campaigners. Up to 500 councillors across Britain are said to be considering adopting a similar approach.
Cherwell District Council has described the Government’s plans for the Oxfordshire site as “ambiguous” and said they pose “avoidable” risks.
In its response to the planning application, the council said the proposal was a “concept” rather than a “sufficiently defined full development”, with several details, including a layout, missing.
It raised concerns about wastewater, surface-water flooding, ecology, access and the effect on the local community. The council also called for an assessment of the former defence storage and distribution centre, warning it could contain asbestos-containing materials and unexploded ordnance.
Piddington parish councillor Mike Nixon has said the site has no pedestrian access areas. The Government suggested asylum seekers could be given high-visibility jackets while walking along the busy B4011.
