Banner at an earlier demonstrations at the former barracks Photo: Ray Duff
The Home Office has officially closed Napier Barracks in Folkestone, ending its controversial four-year tenure as asylum seeker accommodation. The former military site is scheduled to be handed over to a property developer in March 2026 and to be converted into permanent housing.
The site which opened in 2020, at the 130-year-old barracks once housed over 300 men, however, the population had dwindled to fewer than 100 prior to this month’s shutdown. It’s reported the Home Office intends to fully vacate the premises by the end of the month, returning it to the Ministry of Defence before the final transfer to developers.
Throughout its use, the site faced intense scrutiny and multiple inspections regarding poor living conditions. There was also a significant Covid-19 outbreak during the pandemic.
The closure aligns with broader government plans for asylum accommodation, which include the possible use of alternative barracks in East Sussex and Scotland, alongside a commitment to close all asylum hotels.