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Date submitted

4 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Dear Inspector, I wish to submit this objection to Crown Development Application CROWN/2026/0000005 in my personal capacity as a resident. Having carefully reviewed the application documents, I do not believe the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed expansion of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre can be delivered without causing unacceptable planning harm. My objection is based entirely upon material planning considerations rather than wider immigration policy. Whilst each issue is significant, the cumulative effect of the proposal gives me little confidence that the development has been properly justified or that its impacts have been adequately assessed. Heritage and Character The proposal would introduce four substantial accommodation buildings of up to three storeys immediately adjoining the Haslar Barracks Conservation Area. Their scale, height and institutional appearance would sit uncomfortably alongside the predominantly two-storey historic military buildings that define the character of this part of the peninsula. Although amendments have been made, I do not consider they overcome the fundamental concern that the development represents an over-intensive form of development. Raising the buildings to address flood risk will further increase their visual prominence. In my view, the application has failed to demonstrate that the significance and setting of the Conservation Area would be preserved or enhanced. Conflict with the Emerging Local Plan and Strategic Regeneration; The application should be considered within the wider strategic objectives of the emerging Gosport Borough Local Plan, which identifies the Haslar Peninsula as one of the Borough's most significant regeneration opportunities. The Local Plan seeks to create a high-quality, mixed-use waterfront community through the delivery of new homes, employment, heritage-led regeneration, tourism and improved public spaces. These ambitions are supported by Policy D2, which promotes high-quality design that responds positively to local character, reinforces a strong sense of place and contributes to successful regeneration. The regeneration of the Haslar Peninsula is particularly important given Gosport's socio-economic challenges. Parts of the Borough rank amongst the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England, making the successful regeneration of this area central to improving economic opportunity, attracting investment, delivering new homes and strengthening the visitor economy. Royal Hospital Haslar, Fort Blockhouse, the Gunboat Sheds, the Piggeries and other neighbouring sites together represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the peninsula into a connected, heritage-led waterfront destination. The proposed expansion of the Immigration Removal Centre is fundamentally different in character and purpose from the mixed-use environment envisaged by the Local Plan. Although the site lies outside the formal regeneration allocation, it occupies a highly prominent location that will inevitably influence perceptions of the wider area, investor confidence and the attractiveness of surrounding regeneration projects. In my view, the applicant has not demonstrated that the proposal supports the strategic objectives of the emerging Local Plan or that it would contribute positively to the long-term regeneration of the Haslar Peninsula. Instead, there is a significant risk that it would undermine the coordinated regeneration strategy that has been developed over many years and compromise one of Gosport's most important opportunities for sustainable economic growth and place-making. Housing The proposal would permanently remove land previously promoted for around 225 homes from any future housing use. Given Gosport's constrained geography and inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, opportunities of this scale are exceptionally limited. Previous work suggested the site could deliver significant affordable housing alongside wider community benefits. The application does not explain why this nationally significant institutional use should take precedence over such an important housing opportunity. Transport The Transport Assessment does not adequately demonstrate that the cumulative impact of this proposal has been assessed alongside Royal Hospital Haslar, Fort Blockhouse and other planned development across the peninsula. Access remains constrained, and the assessment relies, in part, on a future bus service that has not yet been secured. The continued redaction of significant sections of the Transport Assessment also limits meaningful scrutiny of the assumptions that underpin its conclusions. Health Services I am concerned that the Health Needs Assessment referred to throughout the application has not been published. Without that document it is impossible to understand fully the likely demand upon local NHS services arising from a facility accommodating up to 600 detainees. The Planning Statement itself appears inconsistent regarding anticipated use of local hospitals, making publication of the assessment even more important before any decision is reached. Ecology The ecological information remains incomplete. The Council's own ecological advice identifies deficiencies relating to protected species surveys and mitigation proposals. Until these matters are resolved, I do not believe there is sufficient evidence to conclude that protected habitats and species can be safeguarded appropriately. Flood Risk The proposal is located partly within Flood Zones 2 and 3 and would accommodate up to 600 people requiring controlled evacuation in the event of a flood or emergency. I remain unconvinced that the Flood Evacuation Management Plan demonstrates a practical and deliverable means of evacuating detainees, staff and visitors safely throughout the lifetime of the development. Operational Impacts Unlike surrounding development, the Immigration Removal Centre would operate continuously. The application provides insufficient assessment of the implications of 24-hour vehicle movements, servicing, security operations, lighting and noise upon existing residents and the emerging residential community surrounding Royal Hospital Haslar. I also consider that references to Category C prison standards create unnecessary uncertainty regarding the future operation of the site. Public Engagement I remain disappointed that the application now before the Inspector differs materially from that originally presented to residents. The addition of four substantial accommodation blocks and the extensive redaction of technical information have prevented meaningful public scrutiny of a proposal of considerable local significance. Where the Crown Development procedure is used, transparency should be exemplary. In my opinion, that standard has not been achieved. Local Impact and Community Confidence Whilst I recognise that wider concerns about immigration policy are not material planning considerations, the effect of this proposal on the local community provides important context when considering whether the application has adequately assessed its planning impacts. Residents have consistently expressed concerns regarding the scale of the development, the effect on the character of the peninsula, increased traffic, and pressure on local health services. Many residents also describe a loss of confidence in the planning process itself. The proposal now before the Inspector differs materially from that originally presented during public engagement, whilst key technical documents remain heavily redacted. This has made it difficult for residents to understand the proposal fully or test the assumptions that underpin it. There is also understandable concern about the effect that a substantial expansion of a secure institutional use may have upon confidence in the area's future regeneration, investment decisions and residential amenity. Whilst these perceptions are not, of themselves, determinative planning issues, they reinforce the importance of ensuring that every material planning consideration has been comprehensively assessed before any decision is made. Given the scale of the proposal, the number of unresolved technical issues and the strength of public interest, I believe this application warrants the fullest possible scrutiny. Conclusion Having reviewed the application and supporting evidence, I remain unconvinced that the applicant has demonstrated the proposal can be delivered without unacceptable planning harm or that it accords with the strategic objectives of the emerging Gosport Borough Local Plan. In my view, the applicant has not shown that the public benefits outweigh the identified harm. Significant concerns remain regarding the impact on the historic environment, strategic regeneration, housing delivery, transport, health infrastructure, ecology, flood risk, operational impacts and the adequacy of public engagement. Individually these matters are important; collectively they significantly undermine the planning case for the development. The Haslar Peninsula is one of Gosport's most important regeneration opportunities and is central to delivering new homes, investment, employment and sustainable growth in a Borough where parts rank amongst the 20% most deprived areas in England. I am not satisfied that this proposal supports that long-term vision or demonstrates compatibility with the wider regeneration strategy. I therefore respectfully request that Crown Development Application CROWN/2026/0000005 be refused. Should the Inspector be minded to reach a different conclusion, I believe the scale, complexity and public interest surrounding this proposal justify determination through a full Public Inquiry, allowing the evidence to be properly tested and ensuring all material planning considerations are fully examined before a decision is reached.