FULL REPORT: Detention centre plans blocked

PLANS to allow a third immigration detention centre near Gatwick were refused at a highly-charged council meeting.

Protestors stood outside the town hall waving banners stating; 'No migrant prisons' and 'Say no to child detention' after a planning application was put to Crawley Borough Council.

The proposal, which would have seen the Mercure Hotel, near Gatwick, become a detention centre was discussed by Crawley Borough councillors on Monday.

However, despite planning officers recommending the application be permitted, councillors on the Development Control Committee overwhelmingly voted to refuse the plans.

The planning committee cited the detrimental effect it could have on neighbouring properties to the hotel.

Conservative Councillor Howard Bloom, a member of the committee, spoke against plans.

He said: "We should look after the people we represent, and we should not damage existing facilities and businesses.

"We do not want to see Crawley becoming the detention centre capital of the country."

Protesters outside the town hall

If approved, the detention centre would have been the third in the Crawley area, after Tinsley House and Brook House.

The Home Office has not backed the plan, which raised question marks among some at the meeting.

Labour Councillor Brenda Smith, who addressed the committee, said: "I have a letter from the UK Borders Agency who have said they have no need for any more provision here in Crawley.

"I firmly believe this facility offers no benefit to Crawley.

"There seems to be no official request or need for this centre at this time. I would urge my colleagues to refuse this application."

Councillors voted against the plan by a majority of 14 to 1

Richard Nixon, a Reigate and Banstead borough councillor, and a number of local residents also spoke out against the application.

Tim Jurdon, speaking on behalf of the Arora hotel group, which submitted the application, said: "There are key benefits to this idea, what we are applying for is a change of use.

"If the government did want another detention centre, it would be an advantage it being in such close proximity to the airport.

"What we will give to the Home Office is just an option that we have the land and the location. That would be a government decision, not the owners of the property."

The application was refused, with one councillor voting for the application and 14 voting against.

SECURITY BEEFED UP

CRAWLEY Borough Council were forced to hire security guards and ask for police backup at Monday night's meeting.

Around 25 security officers and a handful of police guarded the meeting and searched people who went in.

The added measures were put in place because it was expected a large number of protesters were going to picket outside the Town Hall.

Visitors to the town hall were searched before the meeting

The Brighton No Borders group held signs up outside the meeting showing their objection to the plans.

A small number of campaigners were allowed into the meeting, where they repeatedly interrupted proceedings and heckled the applicant when it was his turn to speak.

For those who were not allowed into the meeting room, the council provided a TV screen in the Civic Hall next door, which streamed the meeting live so everyone could watch.

Before the meeting, the group were happy to give their views but refused to give their names.

One anonymous campaigner said: "One of our main concerns is that children are being put in these detention centres, it is a prison. And being foreign is not a crime."