GOVERNMENT Officials have announced they will not move forward with any immigration accommodation at the Northeye site in Bexhill.
A letter has been sent to MP for Bexhill and Battle, Keiran Mullan, informing him there will be no development on the site and it’ll be offered for sale again in the future.
Local residents and councillors have been fighting for almost two years against the plans to house migrants at the former prison site near Little Common.
Keiran Mullan said: “I know residents will join me in welcoming the government’s decision not to proceed with an immigration accommodation site at Northeye in Bexhill.
I want to thank campaigners, and cross-party councillors across all layers of local government for fighting against this plan. I am especially pleased for the residents of the Northeye Estate for whom the uncertainty and worry is over.”
In a letter sent by Minister for Border Security & Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, it stated: “I write to confim that this Government has now made the decision not to progress with this site. We are very conscious of the need to ensure best value for the taxpayer and progressing the site would have taken significant time and further remediation and operational costs.
My officials will notify local partners, including Rother Council of this decision.
Moving forward, steps will be taken to ensure that the onward sale of the site is carried out appropriately, and the correct market value is reflected.”
Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District Council said: “After almost two years of uncertainty and unanswered questions, we welcome the decision by the new Government not to push ahead with plans to use the former Northeye prison site in Bexhill to house asylum seekers.
Apart from serious questions about the safety of the site and its buildings, we shared residents’ concerns about the impact such a plan would have on the community and local services, particularly those living near the site.
It’s unfortunate that residents have faced months of uncertainty without any information from the previous Government, but I am sure they will, like us, be relieved to finally have an answer.”
He added: “The letter promises that steps will be taken to ensure the onward sale of the site is carried out appropriately and we look forward to a discussion with the Home Office regarding the future use of the site.”
Residents have finally won the battle against the plans after a number of angry protests and petitions.
