Crowborough Shield gets High Court permission for fresh legal challenge over asylum accommodation at training camp
Campaigners against the use of Crowborough Training Camp for asylum seeker accommodation have been given High Court permission to go ahead with a new legal challenge.
Crowborough Shield Community Interest Company (CIC) announced on Facebook on Tuesday, April 21, that it can proceed with a fresh application for judicial review of the Home Office’s decision to use the former military site to accommodate around 500 single adult males.
The Home Office had revealed on January 22 that the first asylum seekers had been moved in, saying the plan is ‘part of the government’s mission to end the use of expensive hotels’ to house them.
In a Facebook video message on April 21, Crowborough Shield chair Kim Bailey called the decision on its legal challenge ‘very positive news’ and thanked the supporters of the CIC.
She said: “It’s what we’ve been working towards and none of it would be possible without every single one of you contributing in the ways that you have.”
Kim said Crowborough Shield is now working on getting a community meeting together, which the CIC plans to hold online.
Crowborough Shield is represented by London-based law firm Russell‑Cooke, led by legal director Alix Rejman, working with associate Lui Asquith under the supervision of partner Michael Stacey.
Russell‑Cooke confirmed that the Planning Court granted permission for Crowborough Shield to seek a new legal challenge on Monday, April 20.
The firm said the final hearing is to take place before July 31 this year.
Legal director Alix Rejman said: “We are delighted that the Court has granted permission for this new claim to proceed. The decision means that our client’s concerns about the lawfulness and transparency of the decision‑making process will now be considered fully by the High Court.”
The news comes after Crowborough Shield had its initial application for judicial review refused by a High Court judge on February 27. Kim Bailey said in February that the campaigners would resubmit it.
The plan to house asylum seekers at Crowborough training camp was first announced in October 2025 and has received strong criticism since from residents and politicians.
When Reform UK leader Nigel Farage recently voiced his concern about the Home Office’s decision, the Home Office told this newspaper: “This government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain. That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving asylum seekers into basic accommodation like the Crowborough former military site.
“Public safety remains our first priority, which is why mandatory security checks are conducted on all asylum seekers through linking their biometric data to immigration, security and criminality databases. Specialist security are on site 24/7 with CCTV and strict sign-in procedures for residents.”