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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Holly Bancroft

Legal challenge could block completion of new migrant detention centre

  • A new detention centre for small boat migrants in northern France, partly funded by the UK, faces potential shelving due to a legal challenge.
  • The centre, designed to house 140 migrants detained by French police for up to 90 days, was anticipated to be operational by the end of this year.
  • An environmental group, Flemish-Artois Coastal Environmental Defense Assembly (ADELFA), has appealed a rejected challenge against the building permit at Lille’s Administrative Court, citing local planning rule violations.
  • The UK contributed to the centre's funding as part of a £160 million allocation, which is itself part of a broader £662 million agreement with France aimed at deterring Channel crossings.
  • Between 1 January and 25 May this year, 8,565 people crossed the Channel by small boat, marking a 37 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

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