Thousands march in East Sussex as anger grows over the UK government’s plan to place asylum seekers in military barracks at Crowborough and Inverness
Thousands of residents and supporters marched through Crowborough, East Sussex, on Sunday November 30, 2025, in the latest and largest demonstration against the United Kingdom government’s plan to house asylum seekers at a nearby military barracks.
Organizers said about 4,000 people joined the protest — the highest turnout since similar marches began several weeks ago. Many residents argue the small town is unable to accommodate large numbers of new arrivals, while others expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of consultation from central authorities.
The Home Office has insisted it is pushing ahead with efforts to shift asylum seekers from hotels to larger military sites. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing the use of hotel accommodation, which ministers say has become too costly and has placed pressure on local communities.
Officials said plans for Crowborough Training Camp, as well as Cameron Barracks in Inverness, would only proceed once both sites are “fully operational and safe”. The government confirmed on Friday November 28, 2025, that preparations are still being accelerated, although no final date has been set for transfers.
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Local opposition has intensified in recent days. Wealden District Council, which covers Crowborough, passed a motion formally rejecting the proposal and has issued a planning contravention notice against the government. Council leaders argue the conversion of the barracks represents a significant departure from established planning requirements.
In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney also criticized the UK government’s approach, saying the proposal to house 300 male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks seemed to have been “made up on the back of an envelope”. He welcomed the Home Office’s decision to delay the move to Inverness, calling it a sign that the plans had not been properly developed.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the broader strategy, saying the government was “furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels” and was committed to moving people into larger, controlled facilities. The spokesperson added that ministers would avoid “rushed plans” such as those that previously resulted in unsafe or chaotic conditions.
Earlier protests in Crowborough this month drew hundreds of demonstrators, with chants and signs reflecting deep divisions over asylum policy. Placards included messages such as “Detain Process Deport” and “Not Far Right Thugs”, illustrating the wide range of views within the crowd.
Despite the government’s insistence that reforms will continue, opposition from local authorities and residents suggests further confrontations are likely as plans for the barracks move forward.