Controversial plans to house asylum seekers in derelict Sussex prison, scrapped

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The chairman of a Commons committee criticised the Home Office for "overpaying" for a site which was "not fit for purpose". Credit: PA

Controversial plans by the previous government to use a derelict prison to house asylum seekers have been scrapped.

The former government bought the Northeye site in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex last year, after promises to stop housing migrants in hotels.

Robert Jenrick, former immigration minister, announced on March 29 2023 that his government would develop the Northeye site to house 1,200 migrants. The purchase was then completed in September 2023.

The National Audit Office (NAO), Whitehall's spending watchdog, criticised the move, saying the Home Office paid more than double the price for the site had been bought for in 2022 - around £6.3 million. Labour ministers said progressing with the plans would have taken "significant time" and incurred additional "costs". The Home Office now hopes to sell the land.

The former government spent £15m buying the Northeye site which was contaminated with asbestos, according to Whitehall’s spending watchdog. Credit: PA

Dame Angela Eagle, Home Office Minister for Border Security and Asylum, wrote to the MP today (9 December) to confirm that the Home Office would not progress with this site. Instead, the site would be sold.

Bexhill MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, welcomed the news, and said: "I know residents will join me in welcoming the government’s decision not to proceed with an immigration accommodation site at Northeye in Bexhill.

"I want to thank campaigners, and cross-party councillors across all layers of local government for fighting against this plan.

I’ve done all I can to support them. I am especially pleased for the residents of the Northeye Estate for whom the uncertainty and worry is over."

An NAO report concluded: "Acquiring the Northeye site within just a few month led [the former goverment] to cut corners." Credit: ITV News Meridian

Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District Council said: "After almost two years of uncertainty and unanswered questions, we welcome the decision by the new Government not to push ahead with plans to use the former Northeye prison site in Bexhill to house asylum seekers.

"Apart from serious questions about the safety of the site and its buildings, we shared residents’ concerns about the impact such a plan would have on the community and local services, particularly those living near the site.

"It’s unfortunate that residents have faced months of uncertainty without any information from the previous Government, but I am sure they will, like us, be relieved to finally have an answer.

"The letter promises that steps will be taken to ensure the onward sale of the site is carried out appropriately and we look forward to a discussion with the Home Office regarding the future use of the site."

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