Thursday 26th March 2026: BREAKING NEWS! Result for MP Nusrat Ghani, as she triggers Home Affairs Select Committee Investigation into the acquisition of Crowborough Training Camp
Due to the lack of transparency, information and accountability to Crowborough residents, Nusrat wrote to the Home Affairs Select Committee to request an inquiry into both the Home Office’s and Wealden District Council’s roles in the repurposing of Crowborough Training Camp as asylum seeker accommodation and the removal of the Cadets blue light services.
On Wednesday 25th March, Dame Karen Bradley MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee wrote to Nusrat to confirm that they have written to Wealden District and accommodation providers to request further information.
Nusrat said: “We just want accurate and consistent answers to what has happened in Crowborough, how long we can expect the Home Office to use the site, and what resources we can secure to help Crowborough and surrounding areas.
"It is a great positive result to have the heavyweight Home Affairs Select Committee engaged in what has transpired in Crowborough. This level of scrutiny is appropriate especially as the Home Office are yet to share how the site is safe, legal and compliant or long term plans to support the Cadets and other blue light services who have been ejected from the site.
"More importantly, where local Crowborough Councillor's and Wealden District Council leadership haven’t stepped up and refused to engage with the local community and elected officials, they will now have to respond to the Committee."
Monday 23rd March 2026: Press release on secured support from Ministry of Defence for the 1414 Squadron RAF Air Cadets.
The Cadets have recently approached Nusrat for help regarding securing funding to deliver aviation themed learning through synthetic flying equipment for the 1414 Squadron RAF Air Cadets. Nusrat has made multiple representations to both the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence, speaking to Ministers weekly to support the Squadron, who have been misplaced from the Crowborough Training Camp. The good news is that the MOD has offered a temporary loan of a complete, approved synthetic flying equipment set, to enable training activity until permanent equipment is secured.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The Cadets have lost their training facilities as a result of the Home Office’s plans to house asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp and Wealden District Council has failed to stand up for them. I have been working with the Army and the RAF Cadets since day one to ensure that their needs are met and they can continue their activities from a safe, fully functional site. While the support in the form of a loan of the equipment needed by MOD is much welcome news, I continue working with the Home Office and pressing Ministers on making funds available for a permanent solution for the Cadets. It is disappointing that Wealden District Council is once again not helping the local community through supporting the Cadets and has not made representations on their behalf or made funding available to help them. It is shocking that none of the Crowborough district Councillors have come forward to offer help for the Cadets, even though each District Councillor has an allocated £10,000 budget to spend within their communities as they see fit. I hope that one of them will step forward. The MOD have reached out to the Cadet community and agreed to meet regularly, which is also a great result. As agreed with the Cadets, I will continue to advocate for them to make sure the community’s voice is heard. I have a further meeting with MOD planned and will continue working with the Cadet representatives to ensure their needs are met.”
Regardless of this result, Nusrat continues to make representations to the Home Office and has spoken to Minister Alex Norris MP again last week to request that funds are made available from the Home Office’s budgets and for the Cadets to be returned to their home, which is the Crowborough Training Camp.
Wednesday 4th March 2026: Response following response to the local Liberal Democrat, Green and Labour Party Coalition Wealden District Council.
Nusrat Ghani said: "It is not a surprise that the power-sharing coalition leading Wealden District Council are failing local residents by refusing to take a stand against the Home Office and have decided not to support any further legal action over the use of Crowborough Training Camp as asylum accommodation. The Green and Lib Dem Leadership of Wealden District Council has shown no readiness to back our community. They have failed to share details, meet locals and have found every excuse not to take a stand, preferring instead to lecture concerned residents about the “skills” of asylum seekers.
The hard work done by Crowborough Shield has made a difference and deserves better than the insinuation from Cllr Millward's Facebook statement on behalf of Wealden District Council that Crowborough Shield are raising “false hopes”.
Wealden District Council social media videos are littered with contradictions and misinformation, with Cllr Millward admitting that there are errors identified in the planning process, but then states it would not be worth challenging this. Naively she suggests it might mean the camp is open longer, when it is clear that what the Home Office is doing indicates they will be there far longer than 12 months.
As ever, the weak council Leaders demand that the Home Office engage better. Well, that does mean Wealden District Council Leaders should also actually be communicating in person via professional channels and not hiding behind social media.
All Wealden Labour, Liberal and Green Cllrs, and especially the Leaders Cllr Partridge and Cllr Millward, could lead by example on this by getting out into the community and dropping their refusal to engage with local MPs, local residents and local campaign groups. I have also been informed by the Home Office today, that Wealden District Council have been offered £1,200 per asylum seeker. This is a point I raised last October together with my concerns on how the Cllrs will decide to spend that money and the lack of transparency.
I will continue to work on behalf of local residents and support Crowborough Shield."
Friday 27th February 2026: statement in response to the news from the High Court earlier today regarding Crowborough Training Camp
Wednesday 25th February: Press release on meeting with Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed MP
Nusrat Ghani said: “I met with the Secretary of State as it was published in the Times newspaper that he was concerned about unrest in Crowborough. I wanted to have oversight of the work his department has done and discuss what more can be done to secure additional funding for Sussex Police for extra policing around the site.
I continue to make representations to the Home Office for them to share evidence how has the site been made safe, legal and compliant and for how long will it house asylum seekers as there are now discrepancies in the Home Office’s communication as to whether it will be 12 or 18 months.
I have been working with the Army and the RAF Cadets to make sure that a suitable alternative site is secured for them in the meantime and I am supporting them further in securing funding for equipment that cannot be moved from the Training Camp.
To date, Wealden District Council have refused to meet with me and my neighbouring MPs and have not responded to my correspondence requesting evidence of what legal advice they have taken.
I have not stopped working on the matter with the arrival of the asylum seekers last month, and I will continue standing up for local residents and making representations to Ministers and Wealden District Council to ensure that their decisions and actions are transparent.
This morning I was outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London to meet both Crowborough Shield and local residents before the case was being heard."
Monday 23rd February 2026: request to the Home Office Select Committee to trigger an inquiry into the use of Crowborough Training Camp to house asylum seekers
Nusrat formally submitted a letter to the Chair of the Home Office Select Committee, Dame Karen Bradley MP, asking the Committee to consider holding an inquiry into both the Home Office’s approach and the role of the local lead Wealden District Council.
Nusrat Ghani said: The events of the last six months have caused unnecessary strain on the wonderful community of Crowborough, and the wider villages across Sussex Weald.
At every step I have stood up for the over 10,000 people who have supported my petition calling for the Home Office to end their plans for the Crowborough Training Camp. This is yet another step on this journey. The Camp wasn’t empty or unused, but a functioning and active resource for community and the armed forces across the whole of the South East.
Due to the lack of open and accurate information being shared by the main parties involved, the Home Office and Wealden District Council Leadership, I have requested that a formal inquiry into the Home Offices plans for Crowborough Training Camp, which would also study the effectiveness of Wealden District Council in its role as the lead local planning authority.
I recently requested minutes of meetings between the Home Office and Wealden District Council and worryingly the Council state that no minutes exist for a project that has now been in place for 6 months. None of this is acceptable or professional and local residents want answers on what is going and what is planned over the next few years’.
I am fed up with closed shop style meetings that we aren’t privy to and don’t answer any of the communities concerns or address the impact on local services. To get details, plans and the proposed programme and legal advice, the next logically step is for the Select Committee to study to investigate both the Home Office and Wealden District Council.
Thursday 22nd January 2026: statement on the arrival of asylum seekers to Crowborough
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Statement following Home Office's confirmation of delay to using Crowborough Training Camp to house asylum seekers
Nusrat Ghani said: “Through our consistent and persistent campaigning against the Home Office, we have finally secured a confirmation of a delay to moving asylum seekers to Crowborough. The Home Office confirmed that no decisions will take place until the new year.
We have been forensic and technical in our questioning of the Home Office’s presumption that the site would be safe, legal and compliant, and this has no doubt slowed down their plan.
I am grateful to everyone who signed my petition, which has over 9,500 signatures, and to Crowborough Shield for raising legal action against the Home Office.
It is disappointing that Wealden District Council have chosen to just send toothless letters requesting information from the Home Office within 21 days, when we don’t have time to lose.
The delay to Home Office’s decision is a testament to the community working with me and the neighbouring MPs. Over 40 parliamentary questions have been tabled, and concerns were raised about the environmental and planning impact of the changes at the Training Camp – areas where WDC should have raised legal challenges.
If WDC joined our campaign, we could get further delays and even prevent the site from being used for asylum seekers and allow our Crowborough Cadets to continue using the site. It is clear from their statements and actions that WDC have not raised any legal objections as they promised they would at my community meeting. They have not met with the MPs and they refuse to work with the community. Perhaps they will become more honest and transparent in the new year. There is no excuse for any Councillor to not get behind the community and my campaign to fight the Home Office.”
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Statement following my meeting with Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, has welcomed the news that following her meeting with Defence Minister Luke Pollard and the Head of Cadets at MoD, where she urged them both to communicate with the Crowborough Cadets leadership, volunteers and parents, the MoD & Sussex Army Cadet Force have now issued the below correspondence, clarifying the future use of the Training Camp.
The letter confirms that the Cadets will not be accessing the site from Friday 5th November.
It was confirmed at Nusrat's meeting with the Minister on 1st December that an alternative site would be found for the Cadets to operate from and continue their activities.
Nusrat Ghani said: "I’m pleased to have also secured progress for our Crowborough Cadets. During my meeting with Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP and five of his Cadet Advisers, it was confirmed that Crowborough Cadets will not be accessing the site from next week, and a new site will be secured for them. Previously, the Home Office had suggested that the Cadets could continue operating from the site after it would accommodate 600 male asylum seekers. I raised strong objections to any such idea and insisted on alternative arrangements being made urgently."
The letter in full:
Monday 1st December 2025
Statement following my meeting with Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP
Delayed! After 50 days of persistent forensic questioning and campaigning against the Home Office and Wealden District Council, we have secured a much-needed delay on the site being operational. Our technical challenges on the site being safe, legal and compliant, have disrupted the arrival of Asylum Seekers as planned for the end of November.
I’m pleased to have also secured progress for our Crowborough Cadets. During my meeting this afternoon with Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP and five of his Cadet Advisers, it was confirmed that Crowborough Cadets will not be accessing the site from next week, and a new site will be secured for them. Previously, the Home Office had suggested that the Cadets could continue operating from the site after it would accommodate 600 male asylum seekers. I raised strong objections to any such idea and insisted on alternative arrangements being made urgently.
Attending the meeting were local representatives from Pink Ladies, Jeannette Towey; Crowborough Shield, Kim Bailey; and Cllr Michael Lunn. We all raised objections to the Training Camp being handed to asylum seekers and removed as a training key asset for the Cadets and other multiple youth clubs. Concerns were raised over the security of the site and the lack of confidence in both the Home Office and Wealden District Council in undertaking their duties in ensuring the site is safe, legal and compliant. I’m thankful to Kim, Jeanette and Michael for making the journey up to Parliament at such short notice.
This is progress, and a small win for every Crowborough resident who has joined me via my petition and in directly challenging the Home Office and Wealden District Council with emails and letters. It is obvious that plans began to unravel for the Home Office when they were challenged by me and our 500 strong local residents at my first public meeting on 10th November, when basic questions were raised over the site safety, Crowborough Cadets, and lack of consultation.
The Home Office's plans have only been disrupted by the difficult and uncomfortable challenges we have raised. They were not expecting us to be co-ordinated, across the detail and determined to hold them to account. They no doubt had been having an easier ride with the Liberal Democrat and Green Party Leadership of Wealden District Council.
We should accept this as a win for now, however we cannot be complacent and we need to double down on raising technical challenges over planning - which is the basic job of Wealden District Council as the planning authority.
The Home Office are now implying that the site will be operational by the end of the year. They will be informing their lead local partner, Wealden District Council, when they are ready. It is so sad that Wealden District Council have declined to meet the three local MPs or join their fight on behalf of local residents.
I've come under huge personal criticism from Wealden District Council and Crowborough Councillors for being outspoken. But as my constituents know, I will not be deterred and will continue to do my job as the local MP, and champion local residents. I will continue to interrogate the Home Office on how they can evidence that the site is safe, legal and compliant. I will continue pushing Wealden District Council into legally challenging the Home Office's decision and plans, which are no doubt in conflict with local planning.
I've made my meetings open to local community representatives as l have nothing to hide, unlike Wealden District Council who meet with the Home Office privately. I accept that this is a job for the Council leadership, but it has been over 50 days since they were first made aware of the Home Office's plans, and they have not shown any evidence to meet with the right people and ask the right questions.
The pressure that the community and I keep putting on the Home Office is working and we cannot take out foot off the pedal. We have to keep going and demand transparency, accountability and honesty. Please continue signing my petition at: nusghani.org.uk/NoAsylumHousing.
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Statement following my meeting with Home Office Minister Alex Norris MP
Thursday 13th November 2025
Update after Wealden District Council and Crowborough Town Council's public meeting
I attended the public meeting organised by Wealden District Council on Thursday 13th November. You can read some of my thoughts below or watch my youtube update here.
Nusrat Ghani said: "Tonight’s Town Council and WDC meeting with the Home Office was chaotic, and once again the Home Office are charging ahead as we continue to see zero leadership from Wealden District Council. On Monday, Cllr Rachel Millward and Cllr James Partridge said they would take legal action and tonight they were silent. Not a single piece of legal action has been raised. They are wasting our time as we wait for them to use their legal powers as the Planning Authority who will get money for every Asylum Seeker accommodated. Take a look at my letter to the WDC leadership, detailing the steps they can take here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17HwoZ7vG7/?mibextid=wwXIfr."
Monday 10th November 2025
Public Meeting
Following pressure from myself and local residents, Wealden District Council leaders have confirmed they will take legal action against the Home Office's proposal to use Crowborough Training Camp to house asylum seekers.
I held two large community meetings on Monday 10th November, with over 500 residents attending to hear directly from Home Office officials and Wealden District Council. During the event, I forensically questioned the officials on several key issues regarding the safety, legality and compliance of using a site that was previously rejected. The Home Office confirmed that the Council, as the lead planning authority and recipient of money for every asylum seeker accommodated at Crowborough, has the power to legally challenge the decision before, during and after asylum seekers arriving. Officials also stated that the site can only open once it is deemed safe, legal, and compliant, but they could not provide evidence of how these criteria would be met.
At the meeting, I presented evidence showcasing how other Councils used their planning legal powers to challenge the Home Office. Present at the meeting was the leadership Cllr Rachel Millward and Cllr James Partridge, who were urged to use legal challenges to address the potential impact on planning, environment, healthcare and the Crowborough Cadets.
After mine and the community pressure, the Council’s leadership changed its initial position of "nothing could be done" to “we will take legal action” and promised to explore all legal options and to keep the community updated. I praised the residents for their calm engagement and affirmed that I will continue to work with the Council to support legal action, but not with the Council’s present chaotic position of supporting the Home Office in housing asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp.
After the meeting, Nusrat Ghani: “Crowborough residents did us proud, raising legitimate concerns over Wealden District Council’s and the Home Office’s lack of transparency of what is planned for Crowborough. Due to my persistent pressure, the Home Office attended their first public meeting, but left us asking more worrying questions, which should have been raised by Councillors at a much earlier stage. At the meeting, Cllr Tysh, Cllr Millward and Cllr Partridge said they couldn’t do anything. After I gave examples of other Councils taking legal action and after the Home Office confirmed that they could take legal action, the Cllrs then publicly changed their position to claiming that they now “will take legal action”. I look forward to seeing evidence of what legal action and legal advice will be implemented. There is no time to waste, and every Cllr now needs to be across the detail and standing up for Crowborough. I urge local residents to hold their Councillors’ feet to the fire to make sure they stay true to the promise they made to residents at my meeting on Monday.”
Monday 10th November 2025
Public Meeting
Due to the absence of Wealden District Council and lack of public consultation regarding the proposals for Crowborough Training Camp, Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald has secured the presence of Home Office officials at the first community meeting in Crowborough taking place this evening (Monday 10th November).
As a result of the lack of transparency and accountability from Wealden District Council, Nusrat has put pressure on the Home Office to be present at the first official community meeting. Two of the leading Home Office officials will be present to share what has been agreed with Wealden District Council and if the Council have raised any legal challenges.
Nusrat has been talking to councils across the country who have fought legal challenges with the Home Office and at tonight’s meeting, she will be sharing that intelligence with local residents, so that they can put pressure on their District Councillors to prevent or delay asylum seekers being housed in Crowborough.
Also joining the meeting will be neighbouring MP Mims Davies, Crowborough Town Mayor Cllr Natalie Whittle and the most recent previous Home Office Minister for Immigration, who can share why the site was rejected before and what legal steps Wealden District Council can take to stand up for local residents and object to the decision, if they wanted to.
The meeting is fully booked, so if you were unable to secure a space and want to receive an update, please sign Nusrat’s petition here: https://www.nusghani.org.uk/NoAsylumHousing.
Nusrat Ghani said: “It has been a full month since Wealden District Council have been in negotiations with the Home Office and we are yet to understand what their plans are. As the local planning authority, only WDC have the power to put in place legal objections such as a JR, a Stop Notice or a Letter Before Action. It is shocking that the WDC leadership have not evidenced any legal action that they will be taking. The only explanation as to why WDC have not yet taken any legal action is political, given that the Leadership represents their political views. Chaos continues at the Council, and they are just failing us as time runs out. I am grateful for local support, and I’m pleased that at the back of me putting pressure on the council, they are now holding a public meeting later this week. While they were missing in action, I stepped in to convene tonight’s meeting to get answers from the Home Office and advice from former Ministers. WDC leaders and Crowborough councillors are most welcome to join me this evening, and I look forward to them sharing their views to Crowborough residents. I will continue to do what I can to put pressure on Wealden District Council to fight, not to work with, the Home Office, on behalf of the Crowborough community.”
Tuesday 28th October 2025
My first statement once the news broke regarding the planned use for the camp
Like many Sussex Weald residents, I am furious to read from the media that this Labour Government's Home Office and Ministry of Defence have been in private conversations with the Green Party & Liberal Democrat Leadership at Wealden District Council to potentially use the Crowborough Training Camp to house asylum seekers in the near future.
I am yet to receive a formal notification that the news stories breaking this morning are accurate.
However, for the record, under the previous Conservative Government, the Crowborough site was rejected outright. This was due to its layout and the difficulty in it being adapted and the extra costs that would be involved. Furthermore, modifying the site would put it in conflict with the local Council’s Crowborough National Landscape and planning policy.
If the story is true and Crowborough is being assessed as a potential site, I will be seeking urgent answers form the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence and the Leadership at Wealden District Council to understand why they excluded Crowborough residents and locally elected representatives in their conversations to date.
Along with local residents, we need to understand what conversations took place with Wealden District Council and when, and if the story is true, what plans are in process.
I also read in the papers that some sort of consultation will be taking place. I will be seeking clarity on under what guise the consultation will take place and who will be leading it.
Having received a huge amount of correspondence on the matter from residents, I recognise the strength of the feeling locally and I will offer Sussex Weald residents an update as soon as I have it.
The Crowborough Training Camp has already been rejected as being wholly inappropriate.
If you think Crowborough deserves better, please sign my petition.