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Wethersfield: factsheet

Updated 28 March 2024

Version 1.7 March 2024

Why we need large sites  

The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.   

There were more than 46,000 asylum seekers in hotels as of the end of December 2023, costing £8 million a day. The Home Office is making every effort to reduce our reliance on hotels through alternative forms of accommodation and limit the burden on the taxpayer. 

Site background  

The former MOD site was announced for disposal when it became surplus to defence requirements.  

The Home Office has taken over the running of the site and has developed proposals for its use for asylum accommodation. 

The Home Office continues to work closely with stakeholders, including local authorities and our contractors and service providers, to ensure that accommodation delivers suitable, adequate and functional accommodation. 

Why are we using the Wethersfield site?  

The Home Secretary has a statutory duty to support asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.  

Wethersfield has been identified as suitable for the purpose of asylum accommodation. 

Wethersfield provides adequate and functional accommodation for asylum seekers and is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible, helping to minimise the impact on local communities and services. 

How much is this going to cost the UK taxpayer?  

The use of contingency accommodation for asylum seekers, such as hotels, is costing the taxpayer £8 million a day. 

Developing these large-scale sites will ensure cheaper and more manageable accommodation is provided for people crossing in small boats. 

Timescales  

When did the Wethersfield site open? 

The Wethersfield site began accommodating asylum seekers from 12 July 2023.

The site provides non-detained accommodation for single adult male asylum seekers aged 18 to 65 who would otherwise be destitute.

Cohort and capacity 

Who is accommodated at Wethersfield and how was this decided?

The site accommodates single adult male asylum seekers between the ages of 18 and 65.

They will initially come from Manston processing centre following checks against policing and immigration databases. Upon arrival in the UK, all individuals are offered a health check at Western Jet Foil in Dover and Manston, Kent.

This cohort was decided as this group comprises the bulk of the small boats arrivals and are the most suitable for a large site as they typically do not have the complex needs that would be found with family groups, for example who are more suited to other forms of accommodation. This group is least likely to place additional strains on local services in a rural area such as Wethersfield.

Will the site be at Wethersfield? 

Asylum seekers are now being accommodated at Wethersfield.

Following a review of occupancy capacity at Wethersfield site, the Home Office has made a decision to cap the regular occupancy to a maximum of 800.

This means that during normal operation of the site, the population will not exceed 800.

If additional surge capacity is needed to deal with higher than forecast small boat arrivals, a decision may be taken to utilise an additional 445 bed spaces for short and defined periods of time. This would bring total bed spaces to 1,245. If this is the case, there will be a detailed schedule of activity to return the site to a maximum population of 800 as soon as possible.

Why has the decision been made to reduce capacity at Wethersfield?

As part of our review of the capacity cap, we have taken into account lessons learned as we have increased occupancy at Wethersfield and listened to the feedback and concerns of the local community.

It is important that we are reducing hotel costs and delivering our asylum accommodation sites in a safe and orderly manner. Implementing a cap on occupation demonstrates that our priority is listening to local concerns, mitigating impacts, and managing the site safely.

The capacity cap allows us to maintain absolute focus on service delivery.

How long will asylum seekers be accommodated at Wethersfield?  

Subject to any individual assessments, the maximum length of stay for individual asylum seekers accommodated on site is 9 months, except where the Secretary of State is unable to find suitable onward dispersed accommodation despite reasonable efforts to do so.

Suitability  

Is the Wethersfield site suitable for accommodating people?  

Under sections 95 and 98 of the Immigration Act 1999, the Home Secretary has a statutory obligation to prevent destitution by providing asylum seekers with accommodation. 

Accommodation and onsite facilities at Wethersfield are designed to ensure the essential needs of those accommodated there are met. This includes the provision of catering facilities, primary healthcare provision and recreational space.  

Will vulnerable people be accommodated at the Wethersfield site?  

In addition to the checks against policing and immigration databases, at Manston, those individuals identified for the site will be subject to a suitability assessment. See the guidance on the suitability criteria used.

Each person’s suitability will be assessed at regular intervals and if they are no longer suitable for any reason, they will be moved to alternative accommodation.

As part of monitoring suitability to remain on site, there is a welfare facility and an accredited mental health nurse. All asylum seekers in the UK may contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if they need help, advice, or guidance, that includes raising issues relating to safeguarding or their suitability to be accommodated at the site.

Operational plans for the Wethersfield site 

Does the Home Office have an operational management plan?  

The Home Office has developed a detailed Operational Management Plan for the site which we will continue to develop and evolve as the site grows in capacity over time. 

Who is running the Wethersfield site? 

The Wethersfield site is being operated by Clearsprings Ready Homes, an experienced and specialist asylum accommodation provider, under the supervision of the Home Office.

Impact on the local community and services 

What impact will the number of asylum seekers accommodated at the Wethersfield site have on the local community?  

Wethersfield has been designed to be as self-sufficient as possible in order to minimise the impact on local communities, services, and the need to leave the site. This includes providing accommodation with an on-site primary health service, catering, communal space, plus faith and worship facilities. 

How will this asylum accommodation impact local services, including health? 

The Home Office has carefully considered the impact on local services including the NHS, police and fire services and has worked with local partners to develop bespoke plans that take account of local environmental issues, heritage and any risks associated with each site. This includes providing funding to the NHS to support an on-site primary health service to reduce the impact on local NHS services.

The site has 24/7 security from an experienced provider.  

The government currently provides £3,500 to local authorities for new and occupied dispersal beds. This £3,500 funding for local authorities will be extended to Braintree District Council for the site at Wethersfield.  

The Home Office is liaising with Braintree District Council and local voluntary sector organisations to deliver a programme of community activities, including English language classes, recreational activities and volunteer opportunities. This supports asylum seekers to be part of the community and develop skills.

What about local people living near Wethersfield?  

We continue to work with local partners to address the concerns of those most impacted by the site and ways that we can use to keep them informed about what is happening on site, including additional engagement sessions. 

Planning  

The Home Office initially secured planning permission to use the site as asylum accommodation under Class Q emergency Crown development planning provisions. Under Class Q, the Home Office is permitted to use the site for non-detained asylum accommodation for a 12-month period until April 2024.

The Home Office is extending planning permission for the temporary use of the site for a further three-year period by way of a Special Development Order (SDO) with up to six months decommissioning following.

A Special Development Order (SDO) is a form of secondary legislation made through laying a Statutory Instrument. A SDO was laid on 21 March 2024 to extend the use of Wethersfield for a further three years.

In line with parliamentary convention, the order will come into effect 21 days later.

The purpose of the SDO is to enable the Government to secure consent to continue using the site as asylum accommodation once Class Q expires.

This ensures that the Home Secretary can continue to fulfil his statutory duties to accommodate asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute in a manner which reduces the use of inappropriate hotels.

The Home Office remains committed to working with key stakeholders as we deliver the site.

Safety and security 

What checks are carried out on those arriving in the UK and moving to the Wethersfield site?  

Migrants arriving in small boats are taken to facilities in Dover to begin processing. Searches are undertaken at Western Jet Foil followed by robust security and biometric checks at Manston. This includes checks against UK and international police databases. If anyone fails these checks, they are detained.  

Anyone transferred to the site will have been through these checks. 

An allocation policy and suitability criteria ensures that no one is housed in accommodation that does not suit them or their needs. If, during their stay, it emerges that an asylum seeker is no longer suitable for the site, they will be moved to different accommodation.  See the guidance on the suitability criteria used.

The service provider, Clearsprings Ready Homes, who is running the site on behalf of the Home Office, is responsible for the safeguarding of the asylum seekers Our service providers are experienced in managing asylum seeker accommodation in an orderly and secure manner.  

What kind of security measures will be put in place? 

The safety and security of the local communities, the staff and those accommodated on the sites are of the utmost importance. A specialist and experienced security provider is working on site 24/7. The security provision on site continues to be reviewed as the number of asylum seekers on site increases.

We have been working closely and routinely with Essex Police to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place for the safety and security of the asylum seekers and the wider community.

There is regular community policing support on site and the Home Office works closely with local police to manage the site.

The Home Office has agreed a bid from Essex Police to cover their costs associated with Wethersfield.

How will the Home Office ensure the personal safety of residents? 

On arrival, asylum seekers receive a briefing and orientation about the site and the local community. In addition to information about how to access services on and off site, the briefing explains what constitutes appropriate behaviour. It sets out acceptable and unacceptable behaviours as well as their responsibilities as individuals to act as good neighbours. 

If any criminal activity does occur, our providers have robust processes in place to report them to the police. Our providers are experienced at running non-detained temporary asylum accommodation with minimal impact on the local community.

Will the Home Office pay for additional security for local homes? 

No, the Home Office does not provide this. Each person and/or household is responsible for making sure their property and belongings are secured and protected.  

Health and safety checks on site 

All necessary health and safety checks (including water testing) are delivered at Wethersfield to ensure that the accommodation is fit for purpose.  

Asylum seekers leaving the site 

What is the process for asylum seekers leaving the site on a day-to-day basis? 

Asylum seekers at the site are not detained. The site is self-contained and essential services are provided on site to minimise their need to leave the site.

A formal register is kept at the front gate so that it is known who is on and off-site. There is no curfew, but asylum seekers are expected to be back on site by 11pm.

Asylum seekers are able to depart Wethersfield at any time and stay away from site for up to 7 nights. Most residents inform the on-site Welfare Team of their intentions to depart site and stay away, often providing their destination address and contact details alongside their intended return date. Asylum seekers are not obliged to provide these details and any uninformed absence is monitored over a 7 day period. The service provider will attempt to make contact over this period to ensure the safety and wellbeing of absent asylum seekers. Should -days surpass without return, the asylum seeker will become an absentee.

The service provider, who is running the site on behalf of the Home Office, is responsible for the safeguarding of the asylum seekers. Our service providers are experienced in managing asylum seeker accommodation in an orderly and secure manner.

Can asylum seekers leave the site?  

Those living at the site will be able to come and go. The process for leaving the site is the same as the rest of our asylum accommodation. 

To minimise the impact on the local services, and to ensure the orderly flow of people onto and off the site, a regular transport service is in place to take asylum seekers to larger local towns to access amenities and planned voluntary and community activities off site.  

This has been developed following consultation with key stakeholders in the Multi Agency Forum (MAF).  

If off-site services are needed, transport services will be available by the Home Office’s provider.   

Contamination 

What is the Home Office doing about any potential contamination on site? 

Work has been undertaken to ensure the site meets all the requisite health and safety standards. 

Our service operator and security provider have operational management plans and risk registers. They will conduct regular checks of the site for known or new hazards to ensure the site continues to be safe and habitable. 

How will the Home Office ensure the site remains suitable for asylum seekers to be accommodated?  

The site has been assessed as safe and fit for purpose.  

Our service operator will continue to conduct regular checks of the site for known or new hazards to ensure the site continues to be safe and habitable. 

Roads 

What consideration has been given to the impact on road infrastructure?

The site has been designed to be as self-contained as possible, minimising the need for asylum seekers to leave the site. Where there is a need, transport will be provided for asylum seekers to access services in nearby towns.

When asylum seekers arrive on site, they are given an induction which includes information about the site, location, and traffic safety.

Ongoing work with the local authority and police continues to help address traffic concerns. Traffic mitigations have been put in place to space out vehicle movements to minimise disruption.

Health care  

What health care provision is in place for asylum seekers living at the site to reduce the impact on local services in Wethersfield? 

Extensive work has been undertaken with local and national health partners including the Multi Agency Forum (MAF) to work through the specifics of healthcare provision being provided on the site. The health subgroup of the MAF was set up specifically to look at how we minimise the impact on local health services and facilitate primary health care on site. 

The site has on-site primary healthcare delivered by a local healthcare provider Monday to Friday. This is run by healthcare professionals, a doctor and nurses, who offer systematic health assessments and are able to prescribe medication. 

There is also a welfare facility and an accredited mental health nurse on site.

Financial support is being provided to NHS Mid and South Essex, and the onsite primary health care services will register residents so that there is no need to register with local GP practices. 

Upon arrival in the UK, all individuals are offered an initial health check at the Western Jet Foil in Dover and Manston, Kent. The Home Office has robust procedures to deal with any individuals with potential symptoms of infectious diseases when they arrive at Manston, in line with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance. 

Those who present with potential symptoms are requested to isolate. Only once isolation is complete, and they have been assessed by a doctor, are they able proceed into the asylum accommodation system. To complement this work, there is an extensive vaccination programme at Manston. On arrival in Manston, individuals are offered a diphtheria vaccination and prophylaxis medication in line with current UKHSA recommendations in response to the outbreak in this population. 

How much health funding will be provided?    

The Home Office is providing funding to the NHS to support an on-site primary health service to reduce the impact on local services.

Comparisons to other sites  

Are there any success stories from other similar sites?  

The principles of running a large accommodation site are the same.    

We have been applying the lessons we learned at Napier Barracks to effectively manage the site at Wethersfield.

Wildlife 

What consideration has been given to wildlife protection in the area? 

The Home Office fully appreciates the existing wildlife on the wider site including the Diamond Jubilee Wood and will ensure that any environmental impacts continue to be considered.

House prices 

Can the Home Office provide any compensation for any loss in property value? 

The Home Office appreciates the concerns of local residents and is committed to ensuring the impact of Wethersfield site on the local community is minimised wherever possible. 

However, the Home Office does not intend to offer compensation for loss in property value. 

Illegal migration

What happens to migrants once they arrive in the UK via small boat? 

Small boat crossings are dangerous, unnecessary and put lives at risk. There have been appalling and preventable tragedies in the English Channel which must stop.  

We aim to deter illegal entry to the UK, break the business model of people smugglers and protect the lives of those they endanger.  

Migrants are intercepted by Border Force and brought to facilities in Dover to begin processing their asylum claims.  

Full screening of people’s identity, security checks, initial asylum screening and processing is undertaken at the Western Jet Foil in Dover and Manston, Kent.  

Migrants are then moved to suitable accommodation locations as quickly as possible.  

When does an individual become an illegal immigrant?  

The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 included significant measures to deter illegal entry into the UK and to remove those with no right to be here. We arrest and prosecute those people who are found to facilitate or illegally smuggle people into the UK. 

The Illegal Migration Act changes the law, stipulating that people who enter the UK illegally will not have their asylum claim determined in the UK. Once removed, they will not be allowed to return to the UK (Illegal Migration Bill: overarching factsheet).