Wethersfield residents struggle to sell homes after an asylum center opened, citing safety concerns and reduced property values.
The center might soon hold 220 more migrants, totaling 800 residents. Locals say their lives worsened since it opened, feeling unsafe and unable to sell their homes.
Wethersfield had 1,269 residents in 2011. Tony Clarke-Holland, 56, put his house up for sale after the center opened in 2023, but it did not sell, leaving him feeling trapped. Tony lives near the base’s fence and is a self-employed father of four.
He did not get one house viewing, ruining part of his retirement plan. An agent said selling there is hard now. The asylum seekers arrived July 12, 2023. Wethersfield houses average £366,857, while Finchingfield homes average £566,500.
Alison Potter, 27, who has always lived there, says no one feels safe now and they do not want the center bigger. She fears walking home from pubs, feeling it should not be that way.
Tony dislikes unknown men near his house at midnight. He worries about his wife, Sam, 56, when she is alone. He has lived there across from the base for over 25 years. Six months ago, he saw people defecate in a field.
Tony finds this unacceptable, stating that he would not do that himself and that it is beyond their expectations. James Cleverly is the Tory MP for Braintree.
He shares worry about the growing migrant population of 800, adding that occupancy above 600 created management difficulties and any increase needs close management with problems requiring reversal.
The Home Office informed the council that starting February 10, they can add 220 people, following meeting the requirements. The council expects maximum capacity in eight weeks.
Tom Cunningham is the deputy leader of Braintree District Council. He said the council will hold the Home Office accountable to ensure the site runs safely.
He also said the airbase lacks the infrastructure and, as a rural area, it cannot host that many asylum seekers, a statement consistent for two years.
A Home Office person said their asylum system faces pressure and they are working to fix it. This means tackling backlogs and returning those with no right to stay, seeking to reduce costly hotel use. This means tough choices temporarily. Wethersfield is increasing capacity as they want less pressure on the system overall.