The prison was formerly the site of a Royal Air Force Mobile Radio Unit which housed reserve equipment for the Chain Home radar station at Pevensey.

In May 2022, a local councillor said he had been told that the site "been sold to house immigrants".

[4] Whilst the sale was dismissed as misinformation at the time the Land Registry shows that it was bought by Brockwell Group Bexhill LLP in August 2022.

In March 2023, the Government announced that it planned to use the site to house asylum seekers.

[5] A campaign group has been set up by local residents to oppose the camp.