![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TI4AUBLVAS2OF2N5BK6HEPTN2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e73d9eb0cf6d1107634a84616b6fe65e45b072b40443d628ebce2d8d6818cdc&width=400&height=225)
Information posters for new arrivals. A report revealed there was a 'high risk' of undetonated explosives at the camp
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KEOBPUKZWGRNUEHFSUDYBJM2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4266ad5c94d47c2d9810a162ccee5abcb17d0d8296ec6bfc192d54323679ab2d&width=400&height=225)
MDP Wethersfield, a former airbase in Essex where the Home Office is housing adult male migrants, leaving villagers living nearby divided. All photos: PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DITQN46FZFPBGMRDRKJFFFF4W4.jpg?smart=true&auth=20cab7afb06fb12913413ba628afd7f69078f42d1a8c4c53a1b054d754f12f77&width=400&height=225)
A bedroom at the asylum accommodation centre. It will house up to 1,700 single men but some local residents say the area lacks the infrastructure needed to cope
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PIZ6WT2M2GX4WHSIS3LUB7Z2WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5749fd754c8fbb078a040ada87d3739b973618551229b5b4efbbd9b4205a9e2f&width=400&height=225)
An en-suite bathroom at the former airbase, which is about eight miles from Braintree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77DZMT64K7WJC32LE5XMVK5TRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=54525bcef69dce0440c925321e0e321648342e857edece7662ad8364ac6c4962&width=400&height=225)
The dining hall at Wethersfield, which will offer meals three times a day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T5CSBBFDUADUXZP3Y3BHAC23OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1e0f5a602df94199a6a5c01d3392c276addee51f5706a72575365a5c9de2afe&width=400&height=225)
A menu in the dining hall of the centre, which is due to be 'fully functional' by autumn
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5EMQIADUBKPNBYEBRQD4Y3O6NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7b76bc4842f2872a776df2259d1c17d6c7418485d91f3fbb568676703c0c0ad&width=400&height=225)
The briefing centre where migrants are processed. The camp was first used during the Second World War before being taken over by the US during the Cold War
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGSXAJJVBY6KQ3WQWQWPVXDYLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab19031c0eb64d72d79b5659b3189385bb2092a5ce9040e522fda6416ec98f6d&width=400&height=225)
Inside the briefing centre, where arrivals receive a welcome pack. Many local residents are concerned about the presence of so many young men in one place
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M75PIYDYMMUEXIZRK3DMVL3TLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=90d912401a14e595bcc87492239e7c6b00e0ffeafd74d5792ff365c96235e49f&width=400&height=225)
An accommodation block at the centre which also has an on-site GP surgery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VB3MZMLUW6UF6HGVVHZO322NBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=289d3ca067469328572f5cba274e2b78d1b71f05d1e3a664f0604fd231a8ff05&width=400&height=225)
The centre's facilities include an indoor basketball court and a gym
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TI4AUBLVAS2OF2N5BK6HEPTN2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e73d9eb0cf6d1107634a84616b6fe65e45b072b40443d628ebce2d8d6818cdc&width=400&height=225)
Information posters for new arrivals. A report revealed there was a 'high risk' of undetonated explosives at the camp
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6KEOBPUKZWGRNUEHFSUDYBJM2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4266ad5c94d47c2d9810a162ccee5abcb17d0d8296ec6bfc192d54323679ab2d&width=400&height=225)
MDP Wethersfield, a former airbase in Essex where the Home Office is housing adult male migrants, leaving villagers living nearby divided. All photos: PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DITQN46FZFPBGMRDRKJFFFF4W4.jpg?smart=true&auth=20cab7afb06fb12913413ba628afd7f69078f42d1a8c4c53a1b054d754f12f77&width=400&height=225)
A bedroom at the asylum accommodation centre. It will house up to 1,700 single men but some local residents say the area lacks the infrastructure needed to cope
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PIZ6WT2M2GX4WHSIS3LUB7Z2WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5749fd754c8fbb078a040ada87d3739b973618551229b5b4efbbd9b4205a9e2f&width=400&height=225)
An en-suite bathroom at the former airbase, which is about eight miles from Braintree
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77DZMT64K7WJC32LE5XMVK5TRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=54525bcef69dce0440c925321e0e321648342e857edece7662ad8364ac6c4962&width=400&height=225)
The dining hall at Wethersfield, which will offer meals three times a day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T5CSBBFDUADUXZP3Y3BHAC23OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1e0f5a602df94199a6a5c01d3392c276addee51f5706a72575365a5c9de2afe&width=400&height=225)
A menu in the dining hall of the centre, which is due to be 'fully functional' by autumn
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5EMQIADUBKPNBYEBRQD4Y3O6NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7b76bc4842f2872a776df2259d1c17d6c7418485d91f3fbb568676703c0c0ad&width=400&height=225)
The briefing centre where migrants are processed. The camp was first used during the Second World War before being taken over by the US during the Cold War
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGSXAJJVBY6KQ3WQWQWPVXDYLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab19031c0eb64d72d79b5659b3189385bb2092a5ce9040e522fda6416ec98f6d&width=400&height=225)
Inside the briefing centre, where arrivals receive a welcome pack. Many local residents are concerned about the presence of so many young men in one place
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M75PIYDYMMUEXIZRK3DMVL3TLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=90d912401a14e595bcc87492239e7c6b00e0ffeafd74d5792ff365c96235e49f&width=400&height=225)
An accommodation block at the centre which also has an on-site GP surgery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VB3MZMLUW6UF6HGVVHZO322NBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=289d3ca067469328572f5cba274e2b78d1b71f05d1e3a664f0604fd231a8ff05&width=400&height=225)
The centre's facilities include an indoor basketball court and a gym
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TI4AUBLVAS2OF2N5BK6HEPTN2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e73d9eb0cf6d1107634a84616b6fe65e45b072b40443d628ebce2d8d6818cdc&width=400&height=225)
Information posters for new arrivals. A report revealed there was a 'high risk' of undetonated explosives at the camp
Anger and empathy in English village chosen to house nearby asylum seekers
About 1,700 young men are due to move into a former military base next to picture-perfect Wethersfield. But while most villagers are opposed, there is also sympathy for the migrants
Tariq Tahir
28 July, 2023
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