Bexhill in uproar as Home Office plans asylum seeker centre at Northeye site
Councils blindsided by last-minute announcement
Residents of Bexhill are fuming after the Home Office unveiled plans to house asylum seekers at the Northeye site – with local councils only getting a heads-up hours before the public announcement. Both Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council say they were informed late on March 28, sparking frustration and concern across the community.
Community fears over impact on local services
Locals fear the new centre could strain Bexhill’s infrastructure. Concerns include increased pressure on healthcare, transport, and housing. The councils have vowed to push the Home Office to address these worries and involve residents in consultations.
Councils demand urgent clarity from Home Office
A joint statement from East Sussex County and Rother District Councils said:
“We are working with councils elsewhere facing similar plans and those with existing facilities, learning from their experiences. We know this uncertainty is unsettling for Bexhill’s residents and businesses. We have asked the Home Office urgently to set up channels to answer your questions.”
Home Office reveals overnight curfew and 1,200 capacity plan
The Home Office confirmed those living on-site would be free to come and go but must be back overnight. Asylum seekers missing the 11pm check-in would trigger a welfare call, not a curfew enforcement.
The government’s plan is to accommodate 1,200 people by December 2023 at the Northeye site.
