The Home Office has been forced to delay its Asylum Seeker plans for Crowborough Camp after Nusrat Ghani MP’s technical objections on 'Safe, Legal and Compliant' and provision for the town's cadets
Nusrat Ghani MP says: "Delayed! After 50 days of persistent forensic questioning and campaigning against the Home Office and Wealden District Council, we have secured a much-needed delay on the site being operational. Our technical challenges on the site being safe, legal and compliant, have disrupted the arrival of Asylum Seekers as planned for the end of November.
"I’m pleased to have also has also secured progress for our Crowborough Cadets. During my meeting this afternoon with Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP and five of his Cadet Advisers, it was confirmed that Crowborough Cadets will not be accessing the site from next week, and a new site will be secured for them. Previously, the Home Office had suggested that the Cadets could continue operating from the site after it would accommodate 600 male asylum seekers. I raised strong objections to any such idea and insisted on alternative arrangements being made urgently.
"Attending the meeting were local representatives from Pink Ladies, Jeannette Towey; Crowborough Shield, Kim Bailey; and Cllr Micheal Lunn. We all raised objections to the Training Camp being handed to asylum seekers and removed as a training key asset for the Cadets and other multiple youth clubs. Concerns were raised over the security of the site and the lack of confidence in both the Home Office and Wealden District Council in undertaking their duties in ensuring the site is safe, legal and compliant. I’m thankful to Kim, Jeanette and Michael for making the journey up to Parliament at such short notice.
"This is progress, and a small win for every Crowborough resident who has joined me via my petition and in directly challenging the Home Office and Wealden District Council with emails and letters. It is obvious that plans began to unravel for the Home Office when they were challenged by me and our 500 strong local residents at my first public meeting on 10th November, when basic questions were raised over the site, safety, Crowborough Cadets, and lack of consultation.
"The Home Office's plans have only been disrupted by the difficult and uncomfortable challenges we have raised. They were not expecting us to be co-ordinated, across the detail and determined to hold them to account. They no doubt had been having an easier ride with the Liberal Democrat and Green Party Leadership of Wealden District Council.
"We should accept this as a win for now, however we cannot be complacent and we need to double down on raising technical challenges over planning - which is the basic job of Wealden District Council as the planning authority.
"The Home Office are now implying that the site will be operational by the end of the year. They will be informing their lead local partner, Wealden District Council, when they are ready. It is so sad that Wealden District Council have declined to meet the three local MPs or join their fight on behalf of local residents.
"I've come under huge personal criticism from Wealden District Council and Crowborough Councillors for being outspoken. But as my constituents know, I will not be deterred and will continue to do my job as the local MP, and champion local residents. I will continue to interrogate the Home Office on how they can evidence that site is safe, legal and compliant. I will continue pushing Wealden District Council into legally challenging the Home Office's decision and plans, which are no doubt in conflict with local planning.
I've made my meetings open to local community representatives as l have nothing to hide, unlike Wealden District Council who meet with the Home Office privately. I accept that this is a job for the Council leadership, but it has been over 50 days since they were first made aware of the Home Office's plans, and they have not shown any evidence to meet with the right people and ask the right questions.
The pressure that the community and I keep putting on the Home Office is working and we cannot take out foot off the pedal. We have to keep going and demand transparency, accountability and honesty. Please continue signing my petition at: nusghani.org.uk/NoAsylumHousing.
