The Home Office is seeking views from residents and owners of businesses and property on proposals to create a purpose-built Reception Centre at Manston.
In December 2021, the Home Office confirmed it would be operating a reception and processing centre, based at the former RAF base in Manston, for people arriving by small boat. It opened in January 2022 and government says there are no plans to change its use.
But there are proposals to upgrade the current temporary infrastructure with “a more efficient and fit for purpose processing centre, next to the area currently in-use on the Manston site, with protection of the local community’s safety given the same high priority as now.”
A consultation document says the site is considered to be the only suitable one available within the east Kent area that could accommodate such the facility, in terms of proximity to points of arrival and the ownership and availability of land.
The site area measures approximately 37.6 hectares and comprises 48 buildings. The current facility is made up of old buildings that have been repurposed, and several temporary structures.
The Home Office says: “We have been working hard over the past year to improve facilities, security, equipment; and support services, such as health and welfare capability by working with local partners.
“However, there is scope to make better use of the site and ensure that activities can be carried out as efficiently as possible.
“We plan to build a more efficient and fit‑for‑purpose processing centre, with protection of the local community’s safety given the same high priority as now.
“The facility at Manston continues to play a vital role, enabling us to quickly and safely bring people into the immigration system so that appropriate actions can then be taken.”
The development of a purpose-built Reception Centre at Manston will include increased security, improved staff and arrivals facilities, improved short term accommodation and interview rooms and better training facilities.
There will be a phased demolition of at least five existing unused buildings, to allow the new buildings to be constructed.
Planning approval will be sought for:
- The new Reception Centre to replace the existing centre operating on site, consisting of up to six buildings.
- A new training facility for staff and equipment for training.
- Redevelopment of the existing entrance to assist with traffic management.
- Additional surface car parking
- Installation of additional lighting, CCTV and utility requirements.
- Installation of new fencing to the site boundary.
- New small-scale on-site waste treatment centre to sustainably manage waste water from the site and
- Retrospective approval of the existing reception centre and associated facilities and accommodation (on a temporary basis until the new reception centre is available).
The Reception Centre is planned to consist of an arrivals centre and short-term accommodation.
Subject to approval of the development and designs, the construction would be planned in phases, with a target of completion in 2027/28.
A consultation document says: “The site at Manston will remain fully secure. We plan to install new CCTV and lighting along the boundary fence, and internally within the site, to meet Home Office requirements.
“The plans for the CCTV and lighting are currently being developed, to ensure that they meet the required standards but do not impact the surrounding environment.
“New fencing is proposed to secure the facility. This will include fencing along the site boundary and surrounding the Reception Centre and training facility.
“Healthcare for arrivals at the site will continue to be managed by a healthcare supplier. Primary health care needs are provided for at the site, with referrals to local hospitals for further tests or treatment offsite in certain circumstances.
“The Home Office works closely with NHS partners, Local Authorities and the UK Health Security Agency to manage any urgent healthcare needs, including infectious disease control, noting that arrivals remain at the site for very short periods of time.”
Security for the site will continue to be managed by the Home Office and through its contractor.
In November last year Thanet council leader Rick Everitt wrote to then immigration minister Robert Jenrick MP about the secure migrant removal centre plans, including the accommodation for 360 people at the outset, later to rise to 700. He outlined a number of concerns and called on the then-Conservative government to be open about its plans.
A contract published by government last December, with an estimated value excluding VAT of £700m over a term of 6 years said: “The Home Office is currently transforming the site at Manston to establish permanent, purpose-built facilities, coordinated by the Manston Transformation Programme.
“The Programme is looking for partner(s) to deliver a suitable operation and wrap around services for the operations at Western Jet Foil and Manston, plus Medical Services, for an initial term of 6 years with an option to extend for an additional 2 x 24 month periods.”
Now the Home Office is asking for people to give their view on the proposals ahead of the planning application submission. The consultation opened today (September 11) and runs until October 1.
MP Sir Roger Gale, whose constituency covers West Thanet, has written to the Manston programme director to thank him for clear confirmation that there are no plans to change the use of the site.
In the letter, he adds: “I raised no objection to the replacement of temporary infrastructure with more permanent buildings to provide, what you describe as a more efficient and fit for purpose processing centre on the clear understanding that there would be no “mission creep” and that ultimately, if appropriate, these buildings might be transferred to the local authority, when no longer needed by the Home Office, for use by that authority as housing for homeless people. I would like to think that remains the ultimate intention.”
The MP says the creation of a Border Force Training Centre was also raised, to which he has “no objection in principle.”
More details can be found here
In October and November 2022, the centre became overwhelmed with some 4,000 people. It is designed to hold between 1,000 and 1,500 people. People were facing significantly longer periods in the centre due to the high numbers making small boat crossings. Issues included reported cases of diphtheria, scabies and norovirus.
