Further calls are being made for Napier Barracks to be closed down amid claims it is not "fit for purpose".

The military site at Shorncliffe, Folkestone, has been used since September last year to house around 400 men who are seeking asylum in the UK.

It was established by the Home Office following a rise in the number of people arriving in the country in need.

Since then it has been surrounded by controversy, including protests, two Covid-19 outbreaks, claims of cramped and unhygienic conditions and a fire, which led to the arrest of 14 people.

Charities and MPs - including Folkestone and Hythe's Damian Collins - have called for the site to be closed down.

At tonight's full meeting of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), members of the Labour group will present a motion during opposition business calling for the same thing.

The motion states: "The residents of the barracks have received limited provisions of food, water, medical supplies and treatment. Covid has severely exacerbated the problems in the barracks and many of the residents have contracted the virus.

"The additional restrictions in place due to the presence of Covid has turned the barracks into a prison, not its original function.

"Many questions still remain unanswered with regards to the establishment of the barracks, the role of the organisation contracted to operate them and causes of a number of events that have occurred on the site."

The motion requests that FHDC pens a letter to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, asking for the "immediate closure of Napier Barracks as it is not fit for purpose".

It also calls for an enquiry session where representatives of the Home Office, ClearSprings Ready Homes, charities, residents and those living at the barracks can provide evidence in response to questions from both members and the general public.

It comes after the Home Office has conceded that conditions at the camp could be argued as a human rights breach.

Six people living at the site brought the claims against the Home Secretary and a day-long hearing was scheduled last week.

Their case challenged the use of the site on five grounds including that the conditions breach the European Convention on Human Rights, and that it failed to meet essential living needs under the Immigration and Asylum Act.

But minutes before it was due to start before Mr Justice Chamberlain, Home Office lawyers contacted the legal team of four of the complainants - Deighton Pierce Glynn - to say they would concede that all the legal arguments made by DPG were arguable and so permission should be granted.

The Home Office disputed one additional argument made by Mathew Gold & Co Solicitors.

Mr Justice Chamberlain proceeded to grant permission for all five of the grounds put forward by the DPG Claimants and directed that a final hearing will take place in the week commencing April 21.

Sue Willman, solicitor at Deighton Pierce Glynn, the firm representing four of the claimants, said: “The Home Secretary has conceded that the arguments we made on behalf of asylum seekers held in Napier Barracks were arguable and that the case should go ahead to a full trial.

"This is very welcome news. Our clients were subjected to demeaning conditions in Napier Barracks for over four months before the Home Office was ordered by the Court to move them to alternative adequate accommodation.

"Refugees arriving in the UK, often after experiencing torture and trafficking, have the right to be provided with basic humane accommodation."

An inspection of the site was carried out last week by officers from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons.

A report of the inspection is expected to be presented to the Home Office.

Today, the BBC reported that nearly 200 people living at the barracks have tested positive for Covid-19 this year.

In January, 178 people tested positive, with another 19 in February, the Home Affairs Select Committee heard.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone