A derelict former prison which could be used to house asylum seekers was bought for £15.3 million, more than double what it was sold for a year before.
The controversial Northeye site in Bexhill was bought by the government with the plan to use it as a detention centre for up to 1,200 men.
Thirteen months before in September last year, developers bought the brownfield site for just £6.31 million.
Jeff Newnham, 64, leads the Save Northeye group which said it put in a Freedom of Information Request (FoI) to the Home Office which revealed the figures.
He said: “It is a lot of taxpayer money. I think somebody has not taken real care of taxpayer’s money. It’s a pointless waste of money because the government has enough land they can build on.
“Why go and buy a place over the odds that you have to clear because of the contamination. They also have knock down every building.
“We couldn’t believe it when the FoI came back.”
The government changed its plans in August for the site to be an open site where people could come and go. It is now going to be used as a “detained” site due to its close proximity to Bexhill, according to Bexhill MP Huw Merriman.
Mr Merriman said that all of the buildings would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The Argus previously revealed people’s concerns about asbestos being present in the site.
He said: “It is now proposed that the centre, if it proceeds, will only hold those who have arrived illegally in the UK and are awaiting removal from the country.
“This means the centre will be a closed, detained and secure site and that those staying will not be expected to remain for longer than 45 days.”
The Home Office said it does not comment on commercial matters.
A spokesman said: "We are committed to the removal of foreign criminals and those with no right to be in the UK.
"We are exploring the use of the Bexhill site for detention purposes and assessments are being undertaken to consider the feasibility.
"We are working with local stakeholders to ensure that any facility is delivered in a way which minimises the impact on the local community."
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