Dozens of teenage asylum seekers who are set to stay in a former Whitstable care home could arrive in a month’s time, the Gazette can reveal.

Officials at Kent County Council are working on a temporary arrangement to house 40 unaccompanied boys, aged 16 and 17, in the disused Ladesfield Care Home in Vulcan Close.

The home, which closed in 2011, is in need of repair but – once fixed – the site will be converted into a temporary reception centre for the asylum seekers.

The move is in response to the high numbers of young people arriving in Dover as the migrant crisis takes hold across the Channel.

Kent County Council spokesman Murray Evans said: “There’s repair work to be done in the building, which will start imminently, and we expect them to arrive in about four weeks.”

But while the plans progress, an e-petition set up by concerned residents has already reached more than 200 signatures.

The petition, called Stop The Ladesfield Centre In Whitstable Becoming a Base For Asylum Seekers, was launched on Wednesday.

The former care home is close to Joy Lane Primary School and the Whitstable Day Nursery.
It would be staffed 24 hours a day to ensure the young asylum seekers were supervised throughout.

Peter Oakford, cabinet member for specialist children’s services at KCC, wrote to parents and carers of the school and nursery to detail the plans.

He wrote: “Kent County Council has a duty of care towards all unaccompanied asylum seeking children who arrive in Kent.

"These young people have often experienced traumatic journeys and have fled from extremely distressing situations and require our care and support.

“Ladesfield was chosen due to its suitability and availability. It was hoped that this decision could have been communicated to you in a more planned way, and it is unfortunate that you may have learned of this through the local media.

“I would stress that this is a temporary arrangement to allow us to cope with the numbers of young people arriving in Dover at the moment..." - Peter Oakford

“It is intended that the property at Ladesfield will be used for a short period of time.

“Young people are supported in a reception centre for a maximum period of six to eight weeks each. During this time, their social care, education and health needs are assessed and care plans put in place.

“They also receive orientation and independence skills, training and support.

“After this time the young people are moved to more permanent supported lodgings which are spread across Kent.”

He added: “I would stress that this is a temporary arrangement to allow us to cope with the numbers of young people arriving in Dover at the moment.”

Parents of children who attend either the school or the nursery are invited to a meeting to discuss the plans at Joy Lane Primary School this evening (Thursday).

The meeting starts at 7pm.

Facebook groups

On the back of the plans revealed last week, two Facebook groups have been set up.
One, called Oppose the plans for Ladesfield, has received more than 700 likes.

The other, Welcome unaccompanied young asylum seekers to Ladesfield, is in support of the plan and has more than 60 members.