Under emergency planning measures, the Home Office began using Napier Barracks in North Road, Folkestone, in September 2020 to provide accommodation for those seeking asylum in the UK.
The use of the former army barracks ended in December 2025 when the site was returned to the Ministry of Defence. It is due to pass to developer Taylor Wimpey to build new homes on the site.
During its use by the Home Office, Folkestone & Hythe District Council worked with the accommodation provider and other agencies to monitor the use of the accommodation on the site.
Online community engagement events were organised in September 2020 and May 2021 enabling questions raised by the local community to be answered.
Voluntary organisations have worked to support those who have lived at the former barracks and asylum seekers have also volunteered to help in the local community and we thank them for the support they gave throughout the use of the former barracks.
Hotels in the district are not being used currently to provide accommodation for asylum seekers.