Essex protests after Wethersfield Asylum Centre announcement

Last week's announcement shared the site, located on the former RAF Wethersfield airfield, will see its standard capacity rise from 800 to 1,245 residents.

It has been in use as asylum accommodation since June 2023 under a Special Development Order (SDO) that was set to expire in April 2027.

Last week, Braintree Council leader Tom Cunningham said he was “bitterly disappointed” by the news and feels the district has been let down by the Home Office once again.

Disappointment - The site has been in use since June 2023 under a Special Development Order (SDO) that was set to expire in April 2027. (Image: Newsquest)

Essex County Council leader Peter Harris said the site has a massive impact on the people and businesses of Wethersfield, Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester, and raised concerns over the safety of women and young children.

Over the weekend, protestors took to Braintree town centre to make their voices heard.

Marches and rallies have previously taken place in Braintree town centre and near the Wethersfield site, where hundreds have turned out to oppose the use of the rural base as a large-scale asylum accommodation.

In January, far-right activist Tommy Robinson joined a demonstration in Braintree, prompting extra policing and the cancellation of the town’s market for safety reasons.

Movement - Robinson said Michelle Lee's (left) protest was evidence of a movement (Image: Newsquest)

Protest groups have also formed in Chelmsford and Colchester opposing the buses which transport asylum seekers into nearby communities and aiming to ensure local residents have a voice

The announcement has become a fresh rallying point. A Colchester protest group will gather at the city’s war memorial on Tuesday evening, while Stand Up Chelmsford is planning a peaceful flash protest on Friday evening.

A spokesperson for Stand Up Chelmsford said: “Friday’s gathering has been organised because many people are concerned that the daily shuttle buses transporting asylum seekers from Wethersfield into Chelmsford already place pressure on local services.

“With the Government increasing capacity at the Wethersfield site, many fear this pressure on hospitals, GP surgeries and dental services will only grow.

“We believe many residents feel their concerns are being ignored. While everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, local communities also deserve to have their voices heard.

“We feel Chelmsford City Council has turned a blind eye to these concerns, and Stand Up Chelmsford aims to provide a peaceful, lawful platform for local people to express them.”

Protest - Protestors have gathered in Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree against Wethersfield Asylum Centre (Image: Stand Up Chelmsford)

Local anti-racism groups said they were “horrified” at attempts to whip up division with Tommy Robinson's visit.

Braintree Stand Up to Racism has also held counterprotests in the town alongside the anti-Wethersfield protests.

A spokesperson said: “Braintree Stand Up to Racism does not think people seeking asylum should be ghettoised into camps and make a scapegoat for wider problems in society. They are not our enemies.

“Far right hate mongers are in a minority in our county as they are nationally. They will not succeed in creating fear on our streets. Our county belongs to all decent people, not to racists and bullies.”

Site - Wethersfield Asylum Centre has been called one of the largest asylum accommodation centres in the country (Image: Joe Giddens PA)

The Wethersfield centre has housed single adult men seeking asylum since July 2023 and has been repeatedly described as the UK’s largest asylum accommodation centre.

Campaigners and charities have raised concerns about conditions and the impact on residents’ mental health at what they describe as an isolated, institutional site.

Contractor Clearsprings Ready Homes, who operates multiple asylum sites on behalf of the Home Office, has faced criticism over standards of overcrowding, food quality and basic living conditions in some of its properties and hotels.

BBC reporting has found Clearsprings paid £140,000 in civil penalties to Swindon Borough Council after breaching regulations – but has made almost £187million in profits since being awarded lucrative government contracts.