The Home Office has been accused of acting in a 'disgraceful' manner over the opening of Napier Barracks, leaving some nearby residents 'petrified'.

The military camp, in Shorncliffe, Folkestone, was transformed into accommodation for men seeking asylum in the UK in September by the government body.

It has been rife with issues ever since, including Covid-19 outbreaks, protests, claims of cramped and unhygienic conditions, and a fire, which led to the arrest of 14 people.

Initially around 400 people were living at the barracks, although the number has been reduced to make social distancing easier.

Charities and MPs - including Folkestone and Hythe's Damian Collins - have called for the site to be closed down.

During last night's full council meeting of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), most members agreed that the site is not suitable and should be shut.

They criticised the lack of proper consultation before the centre was opened and said some residents living nearby have been left 'petrified'.

The debate came after members of the Labour group presented a motion during opposition business which asked for the 'immediate closure of Napier Barracks as it is not fit for purpose'.

The motion said that residents at the barracks have "received limited provisions of food, water, medical supplies and treatment" and said Covid "has severely exacerbated the problems in the barracks"

It added that the restrictions in place had "turned the barracks into a prison, not its original function".

Many members supported the motion, including Cllr Georgina Treloar (Green) who said it was FHDC's "duty" and "responsibility" to investigate what is happening at the barracks.

She said there was evidence to show that provisions were not adequate.

Cllr Doug Wade (Green) said: "The Home Office behaved in a disgraceful manner without properly consulting local people and without providing suitable accommodation."
He added there have been incidents where food has been unsuitable and medication was not available.

Cllr Michelle Keutenius (Lab) said an investigation should be carried out into the site and Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem) said the site was not suitable in September and still isn't suitable now.

Cllr David Wimble (Ind) said he was looking at the situation from a "humanitarian" point of view and said he believes "all lives matter".

But he said: "However, this holding centre was forced on the district. We weren't consulted. It was meant to be a holding centre while applications were processed. From what I can see, no applications have been processed.

"I feel so sorry for the residents of Sandgate, some of who are literally petrified. Up until recently they were walking around the town in large groups.

"It is not the right place and it is not suitable.

"The Home Office forced it on us and they don't seem to be listening to us when we say it is unsuitable."

Cllr Patricia Rolfe (Con) criticised the sleeping arrangements at the site, which includes more than 20 people sleeping in one room during a global pandemic.

She described the situation as a "fiasco" and said the Home Office had made a "big mistake" by not holding public consultation, which would have provided "local knowledge" which could have "informed the decision making process and highlighted the inappropriateness of that site".

Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) agreed that the site was not suitable or Covid-19 safe, but said she couldn't support the motion as she believed the asylum seekers had received substantial food and water, and said a nurse had been on site since day one.

She also said all residents at the barracks had been registered with a GP surgery and had access to medical care.

Cllr Terence Mullard (Ukip) said the camp should be closed and that it should "never have been opened", adding: "We mustn't welcome these immigrants as we are doing."

He said: "They are being well fed, well housed, what more can you want? It is certainly more than they had in Calais."

A vote on the motion will now see the topic passed to the Overview and Scrutiny committee.

The Home Office says currently no one living at Napier is Covid positive.

The Minister for Immigration Compliance Minister said: "The UK Government has a statutory duty to provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute accommodation, we continue to work closely with Folkestone and Hythe District council and are grateful for their engagement.

“Asylum seekers are provided with safe, warm, secure accommodation with three nutritious meals served a day - all paid for by the British taxpayer.

"The Government is fixing our asylum system to make it firm and fair - it will be compassionate towards those who are in need of genuine assistance and enable us to continue to support those in need, but firm on those who seek to exploit the system.

"Work is already underway on this and we will bring forward new legislation imminently."

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