Asylum seekers could be housed in former military barracks in Crowborough under new government plans.
The government has identified the accommodation for potentially hundreds of people.
The location has been previously used to house Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021.
The government is looking at housing asylum seekers in former military barracks as a way to reduce pressure on the UK’s overstretched asylum accommodation system.
With record numbers of people arriving to seek asylum, traditional housing options such as hotels have become increasingly expensive, costing taxpayers millions of pounds each day.
By repurposing disused military sites, ministers say they can provide more cost-effective, large-scale accommodation while easing the strain on local housing stock.
Supporters argue that using existing barracks offers a quicker, more secure solution than building new facilities. However, the plan has faced criticism from human rights groups and local communities, who say the sites are often isolated, unsuitable for long-term living, and risk worsening mental health among vulnerable people.
The government maintains the move is a temporary but necessary step while it reforms the asylum system to speed up decisions and reduce costs.
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