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Date submitted

6 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I have lived in Gosport for 40 years, 10 years opposite this site that was originally a Naval & MOD prison, later the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. I have been in support of the government turning this into a purpose built detention centre on the basis it is better to use a site that was previously a prison and to help cope with the issues that arise due to immigration. However, the intended progress of the second phase appears to not have any consideration of the local community, purposefully bypassing the usual process of local council and planners who know our local environment best and can more accurately consider the impact on services including medical, traffic noise, and the local wildlife an increase to capacity and numbers being housed could cause. There was a positive consultation process undertaken with the local community when the site was originally commissioned but there is now much mistrust as those plans have changed with no further consultation with those that will be impacted, nor any reason given as to why this is to go via the Crown Development process apart from being of 'national importance'. There are many projects that are in the national interest like hospitals and schools, with the safe education of our children and care of the sick being vital for us all, yet any proposed new sites or changes to existing buildings still go through the local planners and councils who know the area best. The proposed development site is next to an historic building, Haslar Hospital, which opened in 1753 but closed in the early 2000's. This area has over the years been carefully redeveloped with consideration to its historic importance. The proposal to erect a number of 4 modern storey buildings, when the original public consultation advised they would be no higher than 3 storeys so as to not adversely impact the local area, will greatly affect the historical importance of the Haslar Peninsular. The requested higher height buildings will negatively impact the light to all the residential homes that surround the site, as well as the much higher numbers the site will accommodate if this development is accepted than originally planned causing unacceptable increased levels of pollution. Wildlife will be impacted even more so than it has already been due to the much increased traffic from the contractors working on the site with bush and gorse already cleared to accommodate the expansion of areas for the existing additional parking just for those working on the site, with the proposal to also cut down trees that have stood for centuries for even more car parking if the expansion to Phase 2 is agreed with more visitors and staff. Prisons and detaining of people is a sensitive subject that can cause high emotions. I appreciate the government needs to tackle this but it also needs to consider the impact on the local community ad environment. Bringing us along on this journey with logical explanations to changes, and not bypassing the local process would help both nationally and locally to join forces to find a positive solution. I ask that this planning request be handed back to our local council to consider. It agreed Phase 1 and is capable to review Phase 2 and any proposed changes. I would like to attend a hearing in the event that one is scheduled.