Statement on the Use of Crowborough Training Camp
Thursday 12th March 2026
Uckfield Town Council is aware of community interest regarding the use of Crowborough Training Camp to accommodate people seeking asylum in the UK. We recognise that residents want clear and reliable information about the site and its potential impact locally.
There has been no direct communication from the Home Office to Uckfield Town Council regarding its plans or intentions for the site.
The Uckfield Town Mayor, Cllr. Karen Bedwell, therefore requested a meeting with the Minister of State (Home Office), Alex Norris MP. On Tuesday 3rd March, the Uckfield Town Mayor, alongside the Town Clerk and the MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, Mims Davies, attended an in-person discussion to emphasise the importance of improved communication with the Parish and Town Council sector.
We continue to request updates and encourage the Home Office to communicate openly with local authorities, including Uckfield Town Council, so that accurate information can be shared with our community.
Uckfield Town Council also supports the position set out by Wealden District Council at its Full Council meeting on 18th February 2026, which called for improved transparency and communication from the Home Office about the operation of the site and its implications for local communities.
Community safety remains a priority. With this in mind, Uckfield Town Council maintains regular contact with Sussex Police regarding crime and anti-social behaviour and continues to support CCTV coverage in Uckfield town centre, with further improvements being made to strengthen monitoring in known hotspot areas.
Based on the latest information provided by Sussex Police and the Home Office, there are currently no shuttle bus services operating from the Training Camp to Uckfield, and local bus services in the town are not being used by residents of the site.
Healthcare provision for individuals accommodated at the camp is funded by the Home Office and delivered by an NHS primary care network on site. Routine healthcare services are intended to be provided at the facility, with off-site GP appointments only required where further treatment cannot be delivered on site.
The Home Office is responsible for the operation and security of the site and works with Sussex Police to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place. Security staff are present on site at all times, and all individuals undergo mandatory security checks against immigration, security and criminality databases.
Legal challenges to the use of the site are ongoing. Wealden District Council has engaged legal advice on planning and public law matters and joined a judicial review as an interested party. A residents’ group, Crowborough Shield Community Interest Company, had their case for a judicial review rejected by the High Court on 27 February 2026. The group subsequently indicated they intend to continue their legal challenge.
Uckfield Town Council will continue to share updates through our website and via the Uckfield Matters publication, as further verified information becomes available.
Residents should continue to report any incidents to Sussex Police through the usual channels, by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency matters.
For the latest updates, and a list of our responses to FAQs regarding Crowborough Training Camp, please view our dedicated Community Safety page here: https://www.uckfieldtc.gov.uk/community-safety/
Featured image credit: Mims Davies MP.
