Overview
- This week the Home Office withdrew its original Barnham proposal and lodged a fresh application showing a reduced capacity reported at roughly 931 but also described as 913 by one outlet.
- Local investigations show the base currently has about 320 usable bed spaces, many buildings are in disrepair, and officials say more than 600 extra beds plus major sewer and utilities work would be needed.
- The project has been placed on the Urgent Crown Development fast-track, a planning route that treats a scheme as 'nationally important and urgent' and limits usual local planning scrutiny.
- No ministerial decision has been announced and the government has previously said it hopes to move the first occupants before Christmas, though councils and ministers remain at odds over consultation and timing.
- Villagers and multiple councils continue to oppose the plan with regular protests and a Barnham vote to hold a symbolic referendum, an escalation that could increase political pressure on ministers and fuel similar local campaigns elsewhere.