Protesters march in Crowborough to oppose decision to use former military site to house migrants until 2030

Protesters today marched in East Sussex against a decision to use a former military base to house immigrants until 2030.

Demonstrators gathered outside Crowborough Training Camp, a former army barracks now used to house small boat migrants.

Earlier this week it was announced that the site would be available until the end of this decade, despite Home Office officials making ‘absolute denials’ to council leaders that it would remain open beyond this year.

The protest, attended by families and young children, started in the military area and then moved to the city center, where it was met with a counter-demonstration.

Dozens of counter-protesters held signs saying “one world, one love” and “everyone is our neighbor.”

But the demonstration was vastly outnumbered by protesters opposing the use of military space and chanting ‘Keir Starmer is a traitor’ and ‘whose streets, our streets’.

Protesters also said: ‘We are all getting poorer, no help for Britain’s suffering, but for those beyond our borders.

‘Hospitals are at breaking point, mental health is at an all-time high. ‘We must all come together to hear our screams.’

Locals are outraged after it was announced earlier this week that Crowborough Training Camp could be used by 2030

The protest was led by a silver Ford van covered in British flags and banners reading ‘stop the boats’ and ‘Crowborough says no’.

The demonstration was led by a silver Ford van covered in British flags and signs reading ‘stop the boats’ and ‘Crowborough says no’.

According to the DVLA website, the vehicle’s inspection date expired on June 5, approximately 23 days ago.

Mother Sandra March said the continued use of the military area was a ‘danger to society’.

The 49-year-old said: ‘This is a disgrace. Disgusting. This poses a danger to our society.

‘Hundreds of men remain uninvestigated and unnamed. They’re stuck in this town. It’s uncomfortable for women to go out alone. This is a diabolical decision.

‘Officers should bow their heads in shame.’

Another demonstrator said: ‘People left the area because of the camp. People don’t feel safe. I was told it wouldn’t last more than a year. Now it’s another four years.

‘Shocking. What’s the point of paying our council tax? ‘No one voted for this.’

According to the DVLA website, the vehicle’s MOT expired on June 5, approximately 23 days ago.

Protesters are pictured waving flags as they march from former army barracks towards the city centre.

The protest came after Labor was told to put more migrants ‘on a flight home’ at three former military barracks on 25 June and announced plans to give taxpayer-funded beds and meals to asylum seekers.

Ministers said they had granted planning permission to turn RAF Barnham in Suffolk, RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire and former Army barracks in Bicester, Oxfordshire, into accommodation for refugees.

They also outlined plans to extend and expand the use of existing facilities, including Crowborough, by 2030 and Wethersfield from 2027 onwards.

Overall, the plans will create up to 5,000 more beds for small boat migrants entering the UK.

Previous plans to house up to 1,500 refugees at RAF Linton-on-Ouse were canceled in 2022 following a protest from nearby households and a legal challenge from the local council.

It comes after ministers announced a further 20 hotels housing migrants would be closed, including the Bell Hotel in Epping.