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Date submitted

5 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Redacted Documents A significant number of documents submitted in support of this proposal have been redacted. This prevents statutory consultees, including the local planning authority and highway authority, from providing a complete, accurate, and fully informed response. Material information, including vehicle numbers and operational details, is therefore unavailable for proper scrutiny. Healthcare Assessment Although the application acknowledges that local NHS services would be required to provide treatment, it does not appear to contain a robust assessment of the additional demand this would place on services that are already under significant pressure. The absence of such an assessment is a material omission. Size and Scale of the Proposal The Haslar Barracks Conservation Area lies within the site, and the proposed development would appear overbearing in relation to both the conservation area and neighbouring residential properties. The size, massing, and intensity of the proposal would conflict with the aspirations of the local plan for the site and would represent a substantial intensification when compared with its previous use as an Immigration Removal Centre. The plans include four three-storey accommodation blocks of approximately 12 metres in height. These buildings would be materially taller than the historic barracks and nearby residential properties, over which they would dominate. This raises serious concerns regarding loss of privacy, loss of light, visual impact, and harm to the setting and character of the conservation area. The scale of the scheme has also increased significantly since the plans presented to residents at the public engagement event. Given the conservation area designation and the sensitivity of the surrounding context, the proposal should be subject to local decision-making and detailed local scrutiny. Impact on Amenity In addition to concerns regarding scale and massing, the proposed intensity of use would cause harm to the amenity of neighbouring residents and the wider local area. The principal concerns include: • Continuous 24-hour operation, including arrivals and departures during both daytime and night-time periods; • Noise and disturbance arising from external use of the site, including exercise yards and vehicle movements; • Increased disturbance and disruption to neighbouring residents and the surrounding area; • Overlooking and loss of privacy resulting from the increased height and scale of the proposed buildings; and • Potential light spill and visual intrusion from CCTV, security infrastructure, and external lighting. These concerns are compounded by the redaction of information relating to arrivals, departures, and operational arrangements, which prevents a proper assessment of the likely impact on neighbouring occupiers and the surrounding area. Regeneration The local area is undergoing significant regeneration, including the redevelopment of nearby Fort Blockhouse, Fort Gilkicker, and the Royal Haslar Hospital. The introduction of a secure facility of this nature, particularly one whose appearance and operational character would be inconsistent with the historic setting, risks undermining these regeneration objectives and the wider economic benefits they are intended to deliver.