As soon as it was announced that army barracks in Kent would be transformed into temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, people were against the plans.

The Home Office was behind the project to use Napier Barracks, part of the Shorncliffe army camp in Folkestone, to temporarily house around 400 adult men who had come to the UK seeking refuge.

The government body says the plan arose because of the number of people arriving on Kent's shores, many in small boats, and a lack of available beds, for example in hotels.

A similar site was set up in Wales.

Since then, both protests and welcome events have been held outside the gates by demonstrators who fall on either side of the debate.

Within the walls of the barracks, tension has also risen among the guests, some who have self harmed and others who have tried to leave.

We take a look at what has happened at the site over the last six months and what the future holds for the camp and for those living there.

September 2020

On September 14, 2020, it was confirmed the Home Office would use Napier Barracks to house hundreds of asylum seekers.

Rumours had been circulating for several days about the proposal and residents reported seeing equipment being removed from the barracks and other preparations being made in the area.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) confirmed the news, saying: "Following the rumours circulating, we have been given confirmation that the Home Office intends to make Napier Barracks an assessment and dispersal facility for asylum seekers."

Following that, a letter, co-signed by the district's MP Damian Collins, FHDC leader Cllr David Monk and Sandgate Parish Council leader Cllr Tim Prater, was sent to Home Secretary Priti Patel to complain about the "exceptionally poor communication" regarding the decision.

The letter read: "The local authorities in Folkestone and Sandgate have been given very little notice of this decision and it's one we cannot support.

"We have great concerns about the impact this large open camp will have on the welfare of the local residential community and also those people in the asylum system who will be placed in the barracks itself."

The trio requested that Ms Patel reverse the decision.

A few days later, however, FHDC had a chanage of heart following a meeting with partner agencies.

The authority consequently announced it will help set up a support network for the asylum seekers due to be housed in the town.

Cllr Monk said: "We understand the plight of many asylum seekers who arrive in this country with only the clothes they are wearing and we want to help."

On September 20, more details were revealed by FHDC about the set up at the army camp - which was last used by the Ministry of Defence in July 2020.

It was unveiled that the site could be used for a period of up to one year and that those arriving would spend time in quarantine beforehand.

The next day, September 21, the first guests arrived at the barracks in taxis.

People were also seen unloading electrical equipment including vacuum cleaners and TV screens at the site, and police officers were shown around.

Just 24 hours later, police were called to the barracks following reports a drone was being flown overhead.

It came as a group of people gathered outside the gates, appearing to confront those who had moved in.

Footage of the incident was live streamed on YouTube, which also captured the moment police arrived and took details regarding use of the drone.

On September 25, a virtual meeting was held between MP Damian Collins, Home Office officials, members of Kent County Council (KCC), Cllr Monk, police and the managing director of Clear Springs Ready Homes - the firm running the accommodation.

The aim of the meeting was to allay any worries or questions residents had about how Napier would be run.

During the session, Deborah Chittenden, director of borders, immigration and citizenship system at the Home Office, explained that it was a "rapid" decision to use Napier Barracks as the Home Office is dealing with a "serious shortage" of accommodation for people seeking asylum in the country.

Ms Chittenden said the set up will help "relieve the pressure" on the system and that it is not "intended to be forever".

She also made clear that the people staying at the barracks - all adult, single men and no families - are free to leave the site as they are not being detained.

She also explained the asylum seekers do not get a cash allowance and that needs are met on site - for example three meals a day, toiletries and a bed.

At the end of September, the first claims that the site was unsuitable came from Detention Action, which supports people held under immigration powers.

Director of the charity Bella Sankey said: "Use of an army barracks to house traumatised asylum seekers is inappropriate enough, and now we hear government is packing people in 20 to a room.

"It is difficult to see how this can comply with Covid guidance, nor risk undermining public health."

October

By the beginning of October, a welcome event was organised to show support to the people living at the barracks.

It was organised by the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) along with other charities.

Bridget Chapman, from KRAN, said at the time: "It came about because we felt that there was a lot of local support for the new residents at Napier Barracks and we thought that people needed a way to actively display that support."

The event was scheduled for Saturday, October 17, outside Napier Barracks and on the day more than 200 people attended - including members of groups protesting over the use of the site.

Police attended and separated those in support of the asylum seekers from those who weren't.

Asylum seekers inside the barracks were seen waving back at the crowds as Toy Story's You've Got a Friend in Me was played over speakers.

There were also chants of "refugees are welcome here" and people held signs with friendly messages.

During the event, police arrested one person on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Supt Amanda Tillotson said: "I would like to express my thanks to the vast majority of attendees, who were respectful of other people in attendance, the wider community and our officers.

"We recognise that events of this nature can cause some localised disruption which is an inconvenience for the surrounding community."

It was also in October that a man staying at the camp spoke out about the "negative environment" he was living in.

The asylum seeker, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed some people staying at Napier had started to self-harm.

He said 25 people shared one toilet and bedroom and had to wash in open showers, while 13 people crowd around two tables at meal times.

He feared the layout was making it difficult to adhere to social distancing rules made necessary due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking to KentOnline he said: "For my own safety I prefer not to leave. If we go to the shop to buy something people will try and video me by force, invading my personal space. When I refuse by raising my hand, they yell that I'm going to attack them. Imagine living in such negative surroundings on a daily basis.

"I came to find a safe place, not to be surrounded by fences and detained as a criminal."

A case of Covid-19 was also confirmed at the site in October.

November

A video from the middle of November revealed how tensions were starting to run high at the barracks.

According to Jack Shenker, a journalist who was at the scene, the protest was started because the asylum seekers felt they were not getting answers about how long they would be housed at the barracks.

As a result, he says, the gates were locked and police called.

In the video, the guests can be heard chanting 'freedom'. One also asks the police officer 'to do something please'.

An officer requests that they stop shaking the gates or face possible arrest for criminal damage.

No arrests were made.

December

On December 14, it was reported that eight men from the barracks had gone missing since it first opened.

As a result, MP Mr Collins called into question security at the camp.

He said: "I’m extremely concerned that since September eight asylum seekers have disappeared from the barracks, their current location unknown and their applications presumably suspended.

"The number of asylum seekers that have already left the camp raises serious questions about the security of the Napier Barracks facility."

On Christmas Eve, a group of asylum seekers staged a protest against conditions at the site, branding them unsafe.

Slogans on banners held during the protests read "We are at risk of Covid" and "We are ignored".

As of December 2020, the Home Office was providing accommodation for 61,327 people under asylum support provisions.

This increased from 47,000 people since 2019.

January

The situation at Napier seemed to take a turn for the worse in January.

Asylum seekers living at the base described the conditions as “unbearable”.

Dozens of residents were seen gathering outside the barbed wire-topped fence to chant 'freedom' and wave banners.

Some had even started a hunger strike and were sleeping outside, despite the cold nights, in protest at conditions.

One resident who had been living at Napier since September complained of a lack of privacy and said they struggled to sleep: "I am protesting because the conditions here are not good. Thirty-four of us share one shower and one toilet.

"There is no privacy. At night no one can sleep because there is too much noise.

"The situation is unbearable. It’s a military set-up here, it’s like being in prison."

On January 14, Damian Collins called for the site to be closed as soon as possible, as did other MPs.

Mr Collins said: "I have written to the Home Office today to them to ask for an urgent update on the conditions in the barracks.

"Napier Barracks was only intended to be a temporary facility and best solution now would be for the asylum seekers to have their claims processed as soon as possible and for this facility to be closed down."

The Home Office said there was no need for people to be sleeping outside as they were providing "those at Napier Barracks with safe, warm, Covid-compliant accommodation".

Days later, on January 18, it was revealed a 'number' of people had tested positive for Covid-19.

It was later revealed nearly 200 people had contracted the virus.

At the time the Home Office said "a number of individuals refused tests and have been either refusing to self-isolate or follow social distancing rules".

In response, many of the asylum seekers came together to write an open letter to the British public describing the conditions they are living in.

It read: "We are detained without knowing what we have done to deserve living like this or how long we are going to stay here.

"There are fathers, sons and husbands here. There are nurses, teachers, engineers and talented people here and yet we have been treated like criminals or prisoners."

Petitions were then set up calling for the centre to close.

Police were called to the barracks again on January 22 over a disturbance, but no arrests were made.

On January 24 it was revealed that around 100 service users would be moved to hotels to make it easier for people to socially distance at the site.

Four days later however, anonymous activists dressed in masks and boiler suits threw fake blood at the gates in an apparent message to Ms Patel.

Boards read: "Protect human rights. Close Napier now. Priti Patel there will be blood on your hands. #SolidaritywithNapier."

One man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following the gruesome demonstration and a police appeal was also released asking for information on two more people.

A press photographer was also taken into custody after he took photos of the demonstration. It was later revealed he would face no further action.

The next day, on January 29, a huge fire broke out at the camp, resulting in Kent Police's riot squad descending on the barracks.

Videos emerged showing flames and extensive damage done to the inside of one of the buildings and there were reports furniture such as beds were being thrown.

No serious injuries were reported.

Ms Patel described the incident as "not only appalling but deeply offensive to the taxpayers of this country who are providing this accommodation while asylum claims are being processed".

14 people were arrested following the suspected arson attack.

One of these suspects, 31-year-old Mohammed Ali, was charged with assault by beating, using or threatening unlawful violence and criminal damage.

He has pleaded not guilty and will face trail in August. The other 13 have since been released without charge.

February

Days after the fire at Napier, volunteers and friends of charity Care4Calais sent messages of support to the men living there.

Photos posted by the organisation on social media showed supporters holding signs reading 'We stand with you' and 'Napier we are watching'.

The charity also claimed there was no heating or electricity at the camp for several days. The Home Office denied this.

On February 3, a deputy High Court judge ordered that an asylum seeker living at Napier must be re-housed within 24 hours, following a court injunction.

On the same day, police were filmed carrying a man into the barracks.

A video of the act was circulated online and police said officers had to use "reasonable force" to return the man to the barracks as he had breached Covid guidelines by trying to leave.

A doctor speaking at a Home Affairs Committee, on February 5, spoke out about the "unacceptable" conditions at the site.

Dr Jill O'Leary said "From a public health perspective, we would say that the practice of placing people in barracks during a pandemic is unacceptable."

Days later, immigration minister Chris Philp said the barracks had been used to cope with the “enormous pressures” in the asylum system caused partly by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “We have set it up in a way in which it is safe; it is of course accommodation that was previously used by the brave men and women of the armed services.”

On February 11, another open letter was released, this time from church leaders from across denominations to the Home Secretary calling for Napier to be closed. They called the arrangement at Napier "insensitive" and "irresponsible".

During another court hearing, on February 16, the Home Office conceded that the asylum camp's conditions could be argued as a human rights breach.

Ms Patel also sent letters to residents living near the barracks in February, to explain the Home Office's account of the situation, and re-assure residents "of the attention being given to this matter".

It read: "It is not a detention centre and asylum seekers are free to come and go, but there are clear expectations about their conduct and adherence to the law, including coronavirus regulations, which apply to all of us."

Members of Folkestone Labour group presented a motion at FHDC's full meeting of the council on February 24, calling for the site to be closed.

During the discussion of the meeting, councillors said some nearby residents had been left 'petrified' over the situation at the site.

March

This month, the results of two inspections at the barracks were published

One report, from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, described the environment at Napier as "impoverished, run-down and unsuitable for long-term accommodation".

It said some areas were filthy and said a third of residents had reported feeling suicidal.

Photos from inside the camp revealed mattresses on the floor and sheets separating other beds.

The second damning report, from NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, found the barracks is unfit to house asylum seekers on a long term basis.

It has also been confirmed that the similar site in Wales, Penally Camp, is now expected to close within days.

However, the Home Office says "Napier will remain in operation in accordance with current needs".

The Home Office's response

When asked for a comment about the situation at Napier barracks over the last six months, a Home Office spokesman told KentOnline: "Our asylum system is broken and that is why we will bring forward proposals which are fair but firm.

"During these unprecedented times we have met our statutory duty to provide asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute, with suitable accommodation and three meals a day all paid for by the British taxpayer.

"We have worked tirelessly with local authorities and other partners to secure additional contingency accommodation to ease pressure on the system and will continue to do so."

They added that the use of the site will be "discontinued as soon as the Home Office is able to do so" and that they have "instructed the provider who runs these sites to put in place a robust plan to improve the services and improvements are being made".

Damian Collins' response

Mr Collins told this newspaper this week: "Napier Barracks is a temporary facility for the Home Office, with their lease on the site expiring in September 2021.

"From the start of this process I’ve raised concerns, along with Folkestone and Hythe District Council, about the suitability of the site to house a large number of young men with, unlike our brave troops when posted there, nothing to do all day.

"I was also particularly concerned to read the findings of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, along with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons last week, on the suitability of living conditions.

"Looking forward, Taylor Wimpey have already bought the site, and I look forward to the beginning of their construction work soon, providing more housing for my constituents."

The future

It is not known how long Napier Barracks will remain open as accommodation for men seeking asylum, but it is only on lease from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for another six months.

But developer Taylor Wimpey will receive the barracks from the MOD in 2026 as part of plans to build 1,200 homes on the wider Shorncliffe Barracks site.

It has already secured outline planning permission for the housing scheme.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone