Cadet security boosted at Crowborough asylum camp

Work to put up security fences has begun at two Ministry of Defence buildings used by cadets in East Sussex.

The work is being carried out after plans to use Crowborough Training Camp to house as many as 540 asylum seekers were announced last year.

They started being housed there in January and the Home Office wants to use the site until 2030.

The cadets were forced to leave the site because of the asylum plans in December last year though the council said they began "slowly returning" in June.

According to Wealden District Council, the first phase of the operation has begun, so some cadet activities can resume by the end of October with training potentially starting in November.

Fences are being erected around two properties so only cadets and volunteers can use them, the council said.

Work has started on the first building and a contractor has been appointed to put up fencing around the second building, the authority said.

That is expected to be finished so cadets can parade there before Christmas.

The work is being funded by the Home Office, the council said.

The council's community, culture and communications member, Rachel Millward, added: "The cadets have been part of Crowborough for a very long time, and we have consistently made the case that they should not lose out because of decisions about the wider use of the camp."

Councillor James Partridge, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and deputy leader of the council, said, "This is a positive outcome for Crowborough and particularly for the young people who use these facilities."

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