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Date submitted

9 July 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Dear Planning Inspectorate, I am writing to object to the proposed expansion of Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre. The application reference is CROWN/2026/0000004. I object in part because the proposal would more than double the size of Campsfield, from 160 to 400 places. The Home Office has not clearly shown why 240 additional detention places are needed at Campsfield specifically, or why existing capacity, alternatives to detention, or other estate options would not be sufficient. This is especially important because the proposal would involve permanent development on protected land. As the site is on Green Belt land, this failure to show need is especially serious. If the Home Office has not proved that more detention places are needed, it has not shown that the harm to protected land is justified. I am further concerned that the expansion would make the site more built-up, harm the openness of the Green Belt, and add pressure to local roads, services and infrastructure. Key information has been withheld or redacted, including information about layout, transport, lighting, landscaping and how the site would operate. This makes it difficult for the public to understand the real impact of the proposal. The local area is already under pressure from other nearby development, including business, science park, airport-related and housing development. The cumulative impact of this development on local infrastructure should not be underestimated. It’s also important to note that immigration detention causes serious harm to people detained there, and the effects are felt by families, communities, legal and advice services, health services and local people. Expanding Campsfield would have serious human rights consequences for the community and the country. In a time of heightened public polarisation these types of initiatives become flash points for civil unrest, and we have a responsibility as citizens to think about what kind of world we are leaving for future generations. For these reasons and more, I ask that the application is refused. If it is not refused at this stage, I ask that it is examined through a full public inquiry. Yours faithfully