We have been here before, but once again residents in Camber are being told of the possibility that the Pontins holiday site is being considered for use as accommodation for illegally-arrived immigrants.
Rye News understands that a number of Pontins sites in various parts of the country are under consideration in an effort to move people out of expensive hotels to somewhat cheaper venues. Some of these sites, mainly in the North, have been rejected, but at the time of writing (February 7) Camber is one of those still under consideration.
Last year illegal immigration topped 40,000 and this year it is estimated that the figure could double unless action is taken to deter the traffickers. The Prime Minister has recently promised that he is going to do just this, however we have heard these brave words from successive prime ministers and home secretaries but so far without any successful action being taken. We do not yet know what Mr Sunak's plans might be that will succeed where others have failed.
So Camber has cause for concern. Pontins can accommodate around 1,600 people. Evidence from the boats still arriving daily, or being picked up mid channel, demonstrates that a significant number - and often the majority - of the occupants are single young men often coming from 'safe' countries, such as Albania, and it is not surprising that a permanent full house in Pontins of this demographic is causing concern amongst many in a village where, they would argue, there is simply not the infrastructure to cope with such an influx.
Our MP has been approached and she is trying to get a definitive answer from the Home Office, but has so far only been told that various sites are under consideration and no decision has yet been made. Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council have also been made aware of this and have made their own representations on the unsuitability of Pontins, Camber.
In the meantime there is to be a Parish Council meeting to discuss this at 7pm on February 21 and, an hour before that, at 6pm, a village meeting. Both meetings will be at Camber Memorial Hall.
