A decision to potentially house asylum seekers at a training camp is continuing to spark anger and concern.
Crowborough’s long-running army and air cadet scheme has been disrupted due to a Home Office decision to potentially use Crowborough Training Camp to house 600 male asylum seekers.
The camp, located on Ashdown Forest, had been the “home” of the cadets and a vital training site for other public service agencies.
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, criticised the move.
Ms Ghani said: "The home of the Crowborough Cadets is the Crowborough Training Camp on the Ashdown Forest.
"They have been denied access to their home site by the Home Office.
"It is the most heavily used training camp in the South East.
"This is yet another problem that should have been resolved by the Wealden District Council as soon as they began talks with the Home Office on adapting the site for asylum seekers.
"Or even raising legal objections on behalf of the cadets and their families. But alas, no."
Ms Ghani organised a meeting on Friday, January 16, between Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones and the Crowborough Army and Air Cadets to discuss alternative training options.
Nearly 100 attendees, including cadets, parents, volunteers and army and air force leaders, took part in the discussions.
The Defence Minister confirmed that alternative sites have been secured and further sites are under exploration to ensure both the army and air cadet leaders are satisfied with the venues.
Cadet leaders, neighbouring MP, and the Crowborough Town Mayor were present and agreed that any temporary solution needed to be as versatile as the Crowborough Training Camp.
Despite the disruption, membership numbers have increased since the issue began gaining attention.
Ms Ghani said: "I did my job and campaigned relentlessly to speak up for the Crowborough community, and I’m pleased that the MOD have found alternative temporary sites.
"My job was to ensure that this sites are acceptable to the cadets, and I have done as I promised. My goal is for the Crowborough cadets to return to the training camp, which is their home."
The original article is available here.
