A Home Office spokesperson said: “We continue to explore the use of MoD Barnham for asylum accommodation.
“The revised application reflects an amended layout linked to our ongoing assessment of the site.
“The government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, with over £1bn saved in costs since the election. This includes closing all asylum hotels and moving to alternative accommodation, including former military sites.”
The new plans would provide bed spaces for 931 asylum seekers.
No final decision has been made.
The site is currently used by Norfolk and Suffolk police forces for specialist training.
The other sites being considered for migrant accommodation include MoD Bicester in Oxfordshire and MoD Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire.
The government is also seeking to extend the use of two existing sites, including Crowborough in East Sussex until 2030 and Wethersfield in Essex beyond 2027.
Reform UK, which runs Suffolk County Council, has called for a county-wide referendum on the plans to house asylum seekers at the base.
Norfolk County Council, run by Reform UK, formally objected to the proposals and said it would put strain on local services in Thetford.
Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.
