Forty-six migrants have been relocated to MDP Wethersfield, a former RAF base in Essex, as part of the Home Office’s plan to establish the country’s largest asylum accommodation centre. The individuals had arrived in the UK through small boat crossings and were previously housed at a processing facility in Kent, according to the Home Office.
However, the decision to use the Wethersfield site as accommodation has faced criticism from refugee charity Care4Calais, which described it as “inappropriate.” The charity expressed concerns about the location’s remote nature, dilapidated buildings, and the potential to retraumatize refugees who have already experienced harsh conditions in military facilities in their home countries.
Cheryl Avery, director for asylum accommodation at the Home Office, assured that the men brought to Wethersfield had undergone screening for biometric and health testing. They had also undergone suitability assessments for housing at the site. The facility includes various amenities such as a GP surgery, accommodation blocks, a dining hall, a multi-faith centre, an indoor basketball court, and a gym. The Home Office stated that individuals would not stay at the site for longer than nine months.
Care4Calais expressed its intention to provide direct aid to those staying at Wethersfield, emphasizing the importance of treating refugees with dignity in terms of housing.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick defended the decision, stating that it was in the national interest to provide more cost-effective accommodation for migrants who had entered the UK illegally. The Home Office revealed that approximately 51,000 asylum seekers were currently housed in hotels, resulting in a daily cost of £6 million to taxpayers.
Wethersfield is being managed by a contractor and operates round the clock with CCTV cameras in place. The Home Office emphasized that lessons learned from the management of Napier Barracks in Kent would be applied to ensure the effective administration of Wethersfield.
Braintree District Council, which had previously sought an injunction to prevent the use of Wethersfield, began its case at the High Court to seek permission for a full legal challenge. The council argued that the Home Office had failed to address key issues, including healthcare access and concerns related to the ageing wastewater infrastructure at the site. West Lindsey District Council in Lincolnshire is also challenging similar proposals for RAF Scampton, while a resident of Wethersfield has joined the legal proceedings.
The High Court case, overseen by Mrs Justice Thornton, is expected to conclude on Thursday.
