The Home Office is increasing the number of asylum seekers accommodated at a controversial military base by more than 50%.
There are about 800 asylum seekers housed at the remote former RAF base MDP Wethersfield in Essex and the Home Office is moving in 445 more.
Wethersfield is one of only two Home Office mass accommodation sites, along with Napier barracks in Folkestone, and was already the largest. Campaigners and the local council have expressed concern about the increase at the remote site, scene of previous anti-migrant protests.
NGOs are concerned that asylum seekers en route to Wethersfield could be targeted by anti-migrant demonstrators on their way to protest outside the Bell hotel in Epping if their routes cross.
An internal Home Office update on the situation at Wethersfield dated 24 July, seen by the Guardian, states: “While the site’s regular cap is 800 an additional 445 bed spaces may be used temporarily during peak demand. There are no plans to exceed 1,245.”
Charities and watchdogs have criticised conditions on the site. The former independent chief inspector of borders and immigration David Neal described “an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness” among the asylum seekers there when he inspected the site.
Home Office sources said the increase in numbers was a temporary measure and that all relevant health and safety rules would be complied with.
The population of the nearby village of the same name was recorded in the most recent census as 1,298. Although some local residents have expressed opposition to having asylum seekers on the base, many have said they are supportive of the asylum seekers themselves and are involved with initiatives to provide hands on support for them during their time at Wethersfield.
“Things are pretty quiet,” said one resident. “We haven’t had much trouble here.”
In March, a high court judge found the former home secretary Suella Braverman acted unlawfully in accommodating three asylum seekers at the former RAF base. The men – who were at Wethersfield between July 2023 and February 2024 – argued they were living in prison-like conditions.
Responding to the planned increase in numbers at Wethersfield, Steve Smith, the chief executive of Care4Calais, said: “Given the anxiety and despair this former military camp has inflicted on its residents, the government should be shutting it down not expanding its capacity.
“That’s what Keir Starmer promised in opposition, and that was before the high court ruled that survivors of torture and modern slavery had been unlawfully accommodated at the camp. It is deeply worrying that the opposite is now happening, with hundreds more set to the subjected to this prison-like camp.”
Graham Butland, the leader of Braintree district council, said: “This disused airbase in a very rural area does not have the infrastructure to host asylum seekers on such a large scale.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “All use of property or sites under our ownership is carried out in accordance with relevant planning permissions, and we work together with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the accommodation estate is continuously reviewed and managed safely and effectively at all times.”
