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Date submitted

4 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I wish to object to the proposed development of the Haslar Immigration Centre because I believe it would have a significant negative impact on the surrounding community, local infrastructure, and the character of the area. My concerns relate to planning matters rather than immigration policy, and I ask that these issues are given careful consideration during the planning process. Firstly, the proposed development would place additional pressure on local public services and infrastructure. The Gosport peninsula already has limited transport connections, with road access constrained by a small number of key routes that regularly experience congestion during peak hours. Any increase in staff, service vehicles, visitors, contractors, and operational traffic associated with a large-scale immigration facility is likely to worsen traffic conditions, increase journey times, and place additional strain on roads that already operate close to capacity. The development could also have wider impacts on access to local healthcare, emergency services, and community facilities. Local GP surgeries, hospitals, and other public services are already under pressure. While these matters may be managed by other public bodies, the planning authority should consider whether the cumulative impact of the proposed development would place unreasonable demands on local infrastructure and whether sufficient mitigation has been demonstrated. The proposal also raises concerns regarding the character of the surrounding area. Haslar sits close to established residential neighbourhoods, heritage assets, recreational spaces, and the waterfront. A secure immigration detention or accommodation facility is fundamentally different in character from many surrounding land uses. Increased security measures, perimeter fencing, surveillance equipment, lighting, vehicle movements, and operational activity have the potential to alter the appearance of the area and diminish its residential and historic character. Quality of life is another important planning consideration. The operation of a secure facility could generate increased noise from vehicle movements, servicing operations, emergency responses, and 24-hour activity. Additional floodlighting and security lighting may also affect nearby residents through light pollution, particularly during evening and night-time hours. These impacts should be fully assessed before permission is granted. There are also concerns about the potential effect on the local economy. Gosport has worked to promote regeneration, tourism, maritime heritage, and investment along its waterfront. The long-term presence of a large immigration centre may discourage investment, reduce visitor confidence, and negatively affect businesses that rely on tourism and the area's historic identity. The planning authority should carefully consider whether this proposal aligns with wider regeneration objectives for the area. The cumulative effect on residents' wellbeing should not be underestimated. Increased operational activity, traffic, security infrastructure, and changes to the character of the area could reduce residential amenity and adversely affect people's enjoyment of their homes and surrounding environment. Planning decisions should seek to protect existing communities from developments that materially reduce quality of life. I am also concerned that the planning application should demonstrate clearly that sufficient transport assessments, environmental assessments, noise assessments, lighting assessments, and infrastructure impact studies have been undertaken. If these assessments do not adequately address the likely effects of the development, planning permission should not be granted until robust evidence and appropriate mitigation measures are provided. Finally, I believe there are questions as to whether this proposal represents the most appropriate and sustainable use of this site. Development should contribute positively to the local community, complement surrounding land uses, and support the long-term planning vision for Gosport. In its current form, I do not believe this proposal achieves those objectives. For these reasons, I respectfully object to the proposed development and request that the planning authority gives significant weight to the impacts on transport, public services, environmental quality, residential amenity, the local economy, and the overall character of the area when determining this application.