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The Home Office has confirmed the closure of Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, a former military site that had been repurposed to accommodate asylum seekers since 2020. The facility, which housed over 300 individuals at its peak, had faced significant criticism, particularly regarding its living conditions. Concerns were heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic, when a notable outbreak occurred within the barracks.
The barracks were officially closed last Friday, with plans to completely vacate the premises by the end of the month. Following this, the site will be returned to the Ministry of Defence before being transferred in March to a property developer that has acquired it with the intention of converting the area into housing. Throughout this transition, the Home Office refrained from commenting on specific asylum accommodation arrangements or individual sites.
In a broader context, the government has declared its intention to close all asylum hotels as part of ongoing efforts to manage asylum seeker accommodation. Additionally, discussions have been initiated about utilizing other military barracks, including those in Crowborough, East Sussex, and Inverness, Scotland, to provide shelter for approximately 900 male asylum seekers. Prior to closing, Napier Barracks was reported to host fewer than 100 residents.
The 130-year-old barracks had been subject to multiple inspections since February 2021 due to allegations regarding substandard living conditions. Care4Calais, a charity supporting asylum seekers, recently completed its final clothing distribution at the site. A spokesperson from the organization reflected on the challenges faced: “We were never allowed indoors, so we worked outside in all weathers. It was not how we wanted to work, but our volunteers did it with care, dignity, and determination.
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