📸 Inside Napier Barracks: The asylum accommodation they just can't close
Plus: Council pledges 'no development' on Princes Parade, and former car showroom on high street could become eight flats
Napier Barracks is expected to continue to house asylum seekers into next year—despite previous government plans for the controversial camp to be shut down next month.
Documents published in March stated that the Home Office intended to cease use of the facility as temporary accommodation in September, at which point the site was due to be handed back to the Ministry of Defence. However, it now emerges that the expected handover of the barracks may not occur until early 2026.
The decision to extend the use of the former military accommodation has been communicated to Folkestone & Hythe District Council, with a spokesman for the authority this week telling the Dispatch: “We have been advised by the Home Office that the numbers of residents at Napier Barracks have been slowly increasing, although the capacity and maximum length of stay at the site remain the same.
“We believe the site will be decommissioned early next year and released to Taylor Wimpey for its longer-term housing use.”
Napier Barracks has been dogged by controversy ever since it was first used to house asylum seekers back in 2020, with investigations into conditions in the camp highlighting issues with overcrowding, the run-down condition of its buildings, fire safety risks, and the use of communal dormitories during the pandemic.
The news that the site could continue to be used into next year has been met with anger and dismay from charities, local politicians and former residents.
Heji, a 29-year-old Kurdish refugee who was housed at Napier for almost three months in 2022, documented life in the barracks using a smartphone—and has since shared his images with the wider world in a bid to show what daily life is like for people housed there.
“Hearing that Napier will stay open is really sad and disappointing,” he said. “As someone who lived there, I saw every day how it affects asylum seekers. It’s not just uncomfortable, it’s isolating. People are left waiting for months with nothing to do, far from the life they hoped to start.
“My photographs tell some of that story: the quiet moments, the uncertainty, the way time feels frozen. No one who comes here seeking safety should be made to live in those conditions. Napier should be closed, and asylum seekers should be given a real chance to live among communities, work, and rebuild their lives with dignity.”
Independent district councillor Bridget Chapman, who quit the Labour party earlier this year, previously worked with young people seeking asylum during a spell with charity Kent Refugee Action Network. She describes the decision not to close the camp as planned next month as “disgraceful”.
She said: “The Tories put people in Napier Barracks because they wanted to look tough and an abandoned and semi-derelict former military site awaiting demolition fitted the bill. If Labour keeps it open to appease those who seek to divide us over this issue, then they are no better than the Tories.
“The Labour party once stood up for the powerless. It would have stood by the principle that we have a duty to properly provide for those in need. It makes me weep that it has moved so far to the right when we so desperately need moral leadership.”
Connor McConville, a fellow Labour-turned-independent councillor, responded to the news of Napier’s ongoing use as asylum accommodation by telling the Dispatch it is “worrying that the promise of its closure by the government next month looks even more unlikely”.
Despite repeated requests, the Home Office declined to comment on the potential use of Napier Barracks beyond the previously expected September handover.
In March, Folkestone & Hythe MP Tony Vaughan told the House of Commons he welcomed “the decision to close Napier Barracks in my constituency”, adding that “there have been long-standing concerns about conditions, among other issues”. We asked Mr Vaughan to comment on the potential for the site to remain in use beyond next month, but at time of publication had received no response.
The site can house up to 328 individuals at any one time. However, earlier this year the numbers at the camp had declined significantly, falling to around 60. This trend is now being reversed, but the overall maximum capacity is expected to remain the same.
Sally Hough is a director at the Napier Drop In Centre, a community interest company set up to provide support to residents being housed at the barracks. She says the organisation’s work—which includes creative workshops, impartial refugee advice services and access to legal support—cannot continue because funding is due to expire this month, in anticipation of the planned closure of the site in September.
“Despite numbers dropping to around 60 men, rumours started to spread from the camp in July that it wouldn’t be closing as planned and that large numbers of arrivals were imminent,” she said. “We asked the Home Office directly for an answer but we haven’t been officially informed of the extension of its use, which is hugely frustrating given that we provide a direct service to the residents.
“Even if we applied for funding now we wouldn’t get it until the winter when the camp will likely be closed. It’s been really hard to stop provision when the numbers are back to 300 people who we could have supported and it’s with heavy hearts that we have had to stop when the camp is full again. We are considering opening a general drop-in service for asylum seekers based in the area, but for now we plan to pause and reflect on the work at Napier.”
Heji, who now lives in the north east of England and has been granted refugee status, told the Dispatch that Napier is a “terrible place” but he wanted to take pictures to show those outside its fences the reality of conditions within. He now shares his photographs publicly on Instagram, and previously held a small exhibition of his work in Folkestone.
Speaking by video call from his home in Newcastle, he said: “People talk about asylum seekers having luxury lives, three meals a day, money, a really easy life. But it’s not true.
“When I got [to Napier Barracks], I wasn’t expecting that—it’s an army place. I was like, ‘why, what did we do to be here?’ It got worse and worse, people were telling untruths about asylum seekers, so I started taking pictures to share with the world. I was scared, I was so scared, but I am very, very happy that I did this because a lot of people messaged me saying that they didn’t know that this was the asylum seeker’s life.
“But I get some bad comments, really bad comments, like ‘go back to your country’ and things like that. But we are humans, we are the same. There are no words to say, I just want to fight with my photos. My photos help me, even if it doesn’t make everyone understand it, still I did something good for refugees and asylum seekers.”
You can see more of Heji’s photographs from inside Napier Barracks on his Instagram page. He is currently crowd-funding for equipment to help him continue to document the lives of asylum seekers and refugees, and you can donate here.
News in brief
🌱 Folkestone & Hythe District Council says there will be no further plans for development on council-owned Princes Parade, between Folkestone and Hythe, following a recent public consultation. The 18-acre coastal site was at the centre of a long-running controversy over redevelopment plans—which would have included a swimming pool and leisure facilities—but the scheme was eventually shelved in 2023. Now the district council says it is “officially drawing a line in the sand” on the subject. The subject of swimming pool provision in the district will be covered in the council’s new leisure strategy, which is currently being prepared ahead of a future public consultation.
Council leader Cllr Jim Martin said: “The majority want Princes Parade left as it is, maintained as an open space which supports biodiversity—that is a position this council will honour. We’ve all spent years talking about it but it’s now time to look forward. Suggestions of long-term protections for the site have been noted and will be looked at.”
🚧 Plans for the redevelopment of the former Riviera Car Sales plot on Sandgate High Street have been submitted to the district council. The proposals, brought forward by developers Livingstone Homes, would see eight two-bedroom flats built on the site. A design and access statement produced for the developers states: “The existing building is of poor architectural quality and creates a significant break in the consistent building line on the north side of the High Street, detracting from the distinctive character of the streetscape. It is identified as a negative building in the Sandgate Conservation Area appraisal.” The public have until September 18 to comment on the plans, and a decision is expected by October 9.
⚽ Folkestone Invicta remain undefeated after their opening three league fixtures of the season. Two 1-1 draws—away at Chichester City and Cray Wanderers—were followed by a 2-0 victory on the road at Canvey Island on Saturday. The Stripes will play their first ‘home’ game of the season this coming Saturday, when they entertain St Albans City at Hartsdown Park in Margate. On Monday, Invicta were drawn at home to Sevenoaks Town in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, with the tie due to be played on the weekend of August 30.
🔥 Firefighters were called early yesterday morning to tackle a blaze an a derelict former office building in Tram Road. Three fire engines and a height vehicle attended the incident at Stoneleigh House shortly before 5am and it took almost four hours to deal with the fire. No injuries have been reported and the cause is not yet known.
🗳️ Kent is facing a major shake-up of its councils, with county and district authorities expected to be scrapped and replaced by unitary authorities with responsibility for all services across a wider geographical area. Medway Council has produced its proposal for the forthcoming reorganisation—which would see the towns of Folkestone and Hythe no longer served by the same council. You can read more about the idea here.
🍝 The team behind Let’s Amore, which previously traded from the old signal box at the former harbour station, are set to return to the town with a Sicilian trattoria and coffee bar in the town centre. They will be opening in Rendezvous Street on the site of the now-closed Dr Legumes. The new restaurant will open for a soft launch on August 29, with the full menu expected to be on offer from the first week of September.
🌻 Green-fingered council tenants have been recognised for their efforts in an annual gardening competition run and judged by Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel members Gillian Jenkins and Sharon Gasson. Gardens were visited in July and certificates and prizes were given to the winners earlier this month. All winners were awarded a £100 voucher, with the runners-up in each category receiving a £50 voucher.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob, district council cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “Judges were incredibly impressed by the standard of entries. I’d like to thank all tenants who took the time to enter this year’s garden competition. It is fantastic to see tenants nurturing their outdoor spaces, I am incredibly impressed with the hard work and dedication of the gardeners.” Full details of the winners can be found here.
🌊 Sea swimmers are being urged to take to the waters off Granville Parade in Sandgate this week—in an effort to boost the parish council’s hopes of getting the spot formally designated as a bathing beach. If successful, the hope is that the Environment Agency will carry out water quality testing at that location. To assist with the bid, at least 100 bathers a day need to be counted. So the Sandgate Society is urging as many people as possible to have a dip in front of the Rowing Club between 7-9am or 12-2pm this coming Friday and Saturday.
What’s on this week
🍺 The bank holiday weekend will see The Beer Shop celebrate the best brews from across the pond with its Big American Beer Weekender. The team at the Rendezvous Street bar have been tracking down some of the most exciting American beers to put on their taps and in their fridges. It all kicks off on Friday evening with a DJ playing classic American tunes, and hot dogs will be on the menu. The bar is also opening between midday and 9pm on Monday, August 25.
🌊 This year’s Sandgate Sea and Food Festival is taking place this Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24. Across both days there will be lots of live music, and local traders will be setting up stalls serving a range of food and drink. On the Saturday there will also be a free fireworks display from the Granville Parade beach at 9pm. You can find full details of the weekend’s line-up here.
🗑️ Local litter heroes the Folkestone Wombles will be staging their latest litter pick on Sunday, August 24. Anyone wanting to come along and help keep the town tidy should meet at the Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue for a 10am start. All equipment will be provided, but if it’s warm Wombles are advised to bring sun protection and plenty of water. You can read more about the Folkestone Wombles initiative here.
🎸 Pink Floyd tribute band On The Run will be performing twice this coming weekend at the bandstand on The Leas. The free shows on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, will both start at 2.30pm.
🎤 Musical Bingo returns to The Music Workshop this Friday, August 22. Hosted by AiMATE, this is not your average bingo night—players can expect great tunes, singalong moments, plenty of laughs and some fun prizes up for grabs. It all starts at 7pm and you can get your tickets for £5 here.
🎞️ Disney crime comedy Cruella will be showing at the Harbour Arm on Friday, August 22, as part of this year’s free summer cinema programme. The 7pm screening is completely free to attend, you don’t need a ticket, and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. You can find out more about this and other upcoming events at the Harbour Arm here.
Do you have an event in Folkestone you would like to promote in a forthcoming edition of the Dispatch? Send details to us and we’ll help spread the word!
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All the best, Rhys
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