In January, the Home Office said the site has 24/7 security with CCTV and strict sign-in processes for residents who have to complete health and police checks before arrival.
(File pic) A protest was held in the town (Image: Getty)
A residents’ group has lost a bid to bring a High Court challenge against the Home Office after it announced proposals to use a military training camp as accommodation for asylum seekers. Crowborough Shield, a community interest company, took legal action against the Government after it announced it was considering housing up to 540 men at the site in East Sussex in October.
The Home Office decided to proceed with the plan in January, with 27 men housed at the camp last month despite protests in the town and opposition from Wealden District Council. In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Mould said the challenge “is indeed premature”, as at the time legal action was launched, there was “no clearly determined policy to use the camp” as accommodation for asylum seekers.
The High Court challenge has been dismissed. (Image: Getty)
He said the challenge was “based on a series of assumptions and, to a significant degree, speculative”, adding that the group had “jumped the gun”.
The judge said once the Home Office made its decision in January, the legal claim “should have been discontinued”, and he could “form no real understanding as to why it was not done”.
However, the January decision was “at least in principle” open to a legal challenge, he added.
He said: “There would be no real prejudice to the claimant, or any other putative claimants, in bringing judicial review proceedings against the actual decision made.”
Liam Tomsett, 44, lives in a neighbouring town and is the co-leader of the Crowborough Says No group. He said after the ruling: “I’m disappointed but not surprised. The establishment has cheated the public once again.
“I think it’s time to step it up. More people will come out initially [following the ruling] then it will be back to the core number of about 2,000.”
He described his community as “very well behaved” and “very commendable”, adding: “There hasn’t been any agro in 14 weeks. I don’t see why that would happen now.”
Prior to the ruling, Mr Tomsett said: “I’m hopeful but I’m not confident in the British judicial system, especially when it comes to the Home Office. It feels like democracy’s over with this Labour Government. No one voted for this.
“When it comes to democracy, whether you like it or not, you should listen to the majority of people. It’s a crazy situation where we’re seeing people breaking into the country.
“Can you imagine the other way round? Can you imagine going to France without your passport?”
