Fury as refugees fleeing war zones sheltered between firing ranges

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The UK's largest migrant camp opened to the first 50 residents on Wednesday at a converted airbase in Wethersfield, Essex

Wethersfield airfield which is used as a center for asylum seekers (

Image: Reach Commissioned/Steve Bainbridge

Refugees from war zones will be 're-traumatized' after being housed between two firing ranges, activists say.

The UK's largest migrant camp opened to the first 50 residents on Wednesday at a converted airbase in Wethersfield, Essex.

But many men were spooked by the sound of skeet shooting at Finchingfield Gun Club, an insider said. The source said: "It's not the nicest thing to happen on your first night. The refugees were nervous all night after hearing gunshots, few of them slept well."

A local, John Freshwater, 53, added: 'It was quite noisy and lasted a few hours. It will be a re-trauma for the refugees.'

Another local said they warned the Home Office of the dangers.

Tony Clarke-Holland, 55, vice-chairman of the anti-Wethersfield campaign group The Fields Association, said: 'That was one of the objections I took to the Home Office. the Ministry of the Interior does not engage."

Zoe Gardner called the Home Office "totally callous and thoughtless" to house refugees there.