A former care home has been taken over as a site for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UAS).
But neighbours have hit back at Kent County Council (KCC) for failing to keep them informed of the proposed purchase, claiming they were told following the completion of the sale.
The local authority has identified Peacock House in Dennes Road, Lydd, as the latest building to accommodate the youngsters – which is a legal obligation for the council imposed by the courts.
The property was purchased by the council using central government funding and is currently sitting empty, but is soon set to become a temporary home for up to 14 youngsters aged up to 16 from April next year.
The facility will be staffed 24 hours a day all year round and is designed for a maximum 10-day stay before the children are moved on to other parts of the country.
The detached building comprises more than 28 rooms along with several outbuildings and a detached five-bedroom bungalow.
It has been empty since May 2022 following the care home’s final CQC inspection, which saw it rated as ‘requires improvement’.
A two-page letter from KCC was said to have been posted through letterboxes in recent weeks, informing them of the decision.
However, several have claimed they did not receive any correspondence, instead describing the letter as “laughable”.
Commenting on social media, Sue Morrissey said: “That letter is laughable. Did every Lydd household receive a copy? Well we didn’t.
“I sincerely hope that this does not cause any issues, but KCC really should have not sprung this on the townspeople of Lydd, regardless of the necessity to rush this through.
“The Lydd community often doesn’t matter – we only live here.”
Bosses at Marsh Gutters added: “Three minutes from my house and I didn’t get a letter about it. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Meanwhile, resident Carole Hill commented: “I came across this letter by chance, having heard it was a possibility.
“I haven’t had anything in the post, neither have my neighbours. Drove up to the site proposed to be greeted by two security guards.”
KCC has a legal obligation to care for young people arriving in the UK by cross-Channel small boats.
In July 2023, the High Court ruled the council has an obligation to look after all lone migrant children arriving in the county.
The council successfully argued the national transfer scheme (NTS), which compels other local authorities to take in their share of young asylum seekers, had to work properly.
But the sheer numbers coming ashore has put a huge strain on KCC to house them, and means sites like Peacock House are being converted.
The letter reads: “KCC used central government funding, agreed specifically for the acquisition and management of property to accommodate UAS children, to acquire Peacock House.
“Its layout is already configured to provide homely accommodation for children, as is required by Ofsted regulations.
“It is located in an area where children can develop early skills to help them integrate and contribute positively to UK society.
“It is regrettable KCC was unable to share plans for Peacock House with you before now.
“The necessity to comply with the Court ruling and accommodate all UAS children who continue to arrive in Kent, means it is not possible for KCC to consult with residents in ways it would normally and prefer to do.”
As it will be a temporary home, children will not enrol in local schools.
KCC staff will instead deliver education and activities at the home and supervise activities in the community.
This includes English language lessons and guidance on English law and society.
Children will be able to leave the home on their own for short periods of time, with the agreement of staff about where they will be and when they will return. This will depend on the child’s age and individual circumstances.
KCC division member for Romney Marsh, Cllr David Wimble, has told constituents the local authority has no power to stop Peacock House being used for UAS children.
The Reform UK representative said: “Peacock House was purchased on behalf of the Home Office after a four-month negotiation on behalf of the Home Office. It was not done using KCC money.
“The home will be used as a holding centre for under-16 unaccompanied youths. They will be held at the home for between two and four days until full-time foster homes are found.
“Once again, this has been put in place by the Home Office and KCC has no jurisdiction to stop this. This has been forced upon KCC.”
The council has been approached for further comment regarding residents’ concerns.
KCC took in 1,165 UAS children between January and June during 2024 – an 87% increase on 624 in the same period in 2023.
Successive governments have long pledged to stop the small boat crossings from France with Labour saying it will aim to “smash” the illegal people smuggling operations.
But more than 20,000 people have crossed this year, according to latest Home Office figures.
The figure is also 75% higher than the equivalent figure for 2023, which itself was more than 11,000.
