Major update issued for never-used UK migrant camp – bought for £15m | UK | News

It was purchased by the Home Office for £15.4 million in September 2023 as a possible alternative to immigration hotels. But Northeye has now been handed over to the government housing agency, Homes England.

The agency’s Chief Executive, Amy Rees, said Homes England wanted to work with local people to help build homes that met local needs and “supported” Bexhill’s future.

Homes England told BBC While proposals are being developed for the area, which was used as a prison between 1969 and 1992, maintenance work will also begin.

Ms Rees said: “The transfer of the Northeye site not only represents a significant local milestone, but also a clear example of the implementation of Homes England’s national strategy.

“This transfer means we can now start working to bring the former Northeye facility back into use.”

The previous government abandoned plans to use Northeye to accommodate refugees in December 2024.

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The site remained empty after being bought by the government, with security, maintenance and service costs exceeding £660,000, according to the report. i Paper.

The National Audit Office found in 2024 that the Home Office cut corners and made “bad” decisions regarding procurement.

Northeye’s price tag was more than double what the previous owner paid a year ago.

Dr Kieran Mullan, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, said the transfer of BBC Northeye to Homes England would provide “huge relief” for local people.

He said it was better to bring the site into use rather than leave it abandoned, as some residents feared.

Jeff Newnham, from Bexhill, campaigned against the Home Office’s refugee housing plan. He told the BBC the transfer was “fantastic”.