Asylum camp could stay open until 2030 - council

An asylum seeker camp could stay open years longer than previously suggested, according to the local council.

Wealden District Council (WDC) said it had "uncovered details in court papers revealing that two government departments have agreed between themselves to allow" the Crowborough military camp the option to remain open until 2030.

"This is despite repeated promises from the government... [the East Sussex site] was only temporary and would be open for no longer than 12 months," it added.

The Home Office told the BBC no decision had been taken on extending the camp's use, which it said remained under review.

Any formal decision will be communicated in the usual way, it added.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the court papers highlighted by WDC.

The government previously said it hoped to return the site - set to house 500 people seeking asylum - to the MoD after it had alternative accommodation ready within 12 months.

However, this detail has since been removed from its official website.

The council said it was "deeply dismayed" by the Home Office's "failure to communicate openly key information" about the camp.

WDC leader Rachel Millward said "people whose lives are directly affected... are left guessing".

"The entire project has been disastrously handled," she said.

"Asylum seekers deserve to be treated with dignity and humanity, not left in unsuitable temporary accommodation with inadequate support and no transparency for either residents or the local community."

There have been protests against the Home Office's plans, first announced in October.

Some residents said they were worried about safety and pressure on local services.

Others have said that most asylum seekers are "decent" and people from Afghanistan previously housed there had not been a problem.

Legal challenges have been mounted against using the site as asylum accommodation.

Moving asylum seekers to military sites is part of the government's attempt to end the controversial use of hotels - something it has pledged to do before the next election.

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