An Eastbourne Councillor has condemned proposals by the Home Office to convert the former Esperance hospital into an 125-bed asylum seeker accommodation centre, calling the move “dangerous and deeply damaging” to the town.
The Home Office is currently finalising proposals for a 5 year lease on the site, despite serious safety concerns raised by Sussex Police and an objection from Eastbourne Council.
Opposition leader Cllr Robert Smart says that major works have recently been taking place to prepare the building for occupation, which will be ready in March of this year.
Cllr Smart adds “This proposal from the Home Office shows an appalling disregard for Eastbourne’s future. Esperance House is located in a neighbourhood made up largely of elderly and vulnerable residents, and is close to the heart of Eastbourne’s tourism and hospitality businesses. It would be hard to find a site less suitable for housing Asylum Seekers.
Eastbourne’s economy relies on tourism and small businesses. I have heard first hand how much pressure the government’s tax rising budget has already placed on them and this latest plan will come as a hammer blow.
We also have one of the most acute housing shortages in the south east. It would be ludicrous to divert this site from providing the much needed homes local people need.
The Council may have put in an objection, but I am calling on them to take all available legal action to reject these proposals”
Eastbourne's Conservative opposition group have launched a petition calling on the Government and Eastbourne Council to halt these plans. The petition can be found at: eastbourneconservatives.org.uk/stopasylumcentre
