Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been advised that the government is intending to extend its use of Napier Barracks to house those seeking asylum in the UK until September 2025.

Responding to this announcement Councillor Jenny Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The council has not had any role in this decision as the government is using special planning regulations to extend the use on a temporary basis for another four years.

“We have not changed our initial view that Napier Barracks is not the right place so this is very disappointing news and not what we had been hoping to hear. I have made it clear to the Home Office that if the use is to continue then it is our expectation that government will make further investment to improve facilities for those staying at the barracks.

“As a council we will continue to play an active role, alongside our partners, to monitor the use of the barracks. We have already held two online community meetings to enable questions from our residents to be answered and we shall continue in our role of holding to account both the Home Office and the operators who run the facility on its behalf.”

The statutory instrument which allows for Napier Barracks to continue being used to house asylum seekers can be read online.

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