Bexhill Uproar Over Surprise Asylum Plan
Residents in Bexhill are fuming after the Home Office dropped a bombshell about turning the Northeye site into asylum seeker housing – with councils only told hours before the public announcement.
Councils Caught Off Guard
Both Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council say they were only informed on March 28, mere hours before the news broke on March 29. Locals are furious at the total lack of consultation.
“The government’s silence has left our community frustrated and anxious,” a council spokesperson said. Today (April 3), the councils confirmed they’re still digging into what the proposal means for Bexhill.
Residents Fear Infrastructure Strain
Many in Bexhill worry the plan will stretch local services to breaking point. The councils vow to push the Home Office to consider every concern from residents.
“We are working with other councils where similar sites exist or are proposed, learning from their experiences,” the joint statement reads. “We know the uncertainty is unsettling for Bexhill’s people and businesses. We’re urgently asking the Home Office to engage properly and answer questions.”
Home Office Promises No Curfews, 1,200 To Arrive by Year-End
According to a Home Office doc, residents at the site would be free to come and go but expected to be back overnight. If someone isn’t back by 11pm, staff will make a courtesy call—not a curfew.
The plan aims to house 1,200 people by December 2023, raising fresh concerns about local capacity and support.
