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Date submitted

5 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I would like to attend a hearing should one be scheduled. I am writing to submit a formal objection to the revised Crown Development planning application for Phase 2 of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre redevelopment. While I have concerns regarding the overall scale of the site’s expansion to 600 beds, my primary planning objection relates directly to the unacceptable increase in height and scale of the proposed accommodation blocks from 2 to 3 storeys. ​Key Material Planning Grounds for Objection ​1. Excessive Scale, Height, and Massing ​Inappropriate Scale: The revision from 2-storey to 3-storey accommodation buildings represents a significant and detrimental shift in scale. Four 3-storey blocks introduce an oppressive bulk that dominates the surrounding area. ​Overbearing Impact: The additional height creates an intrusive visual element on the local landscape, resulting in an unacceptably overbearing aspect for neighbouring properties, users of the nearby public rights of way, and the adjacent coastal path. ​2. Visual Amenity, Privacy, and Light Deprivation ​Overlooking & Loss of Privacy: Increasing the accommodation blocks to 3 storeys elevated site vantage points, causing direct overlooking into neighbouring residential areas and private amenity spaces. ​Loss of Light & Overshadowing: The increased massing and height will cause significant overshadowing and loss of natural light to adjacent plots and protected open spaces. ​3. Harm to Heritage Assets and the Haslar Conservation Area ​Impact on Conservation Area: Haslar is an area of substantial historic sensitivity, situated in close proximity to the Grade II listed Royal Hospital Haslar grounds and designated heritage assets. ​Character Degradation: Constructing multi-storey, modern, high-security 3-storey residential blocks detracts from the character and appearance of the neighbouring Conservation Area, failing to respect the established low-rise maritime and historic architectural context. ​4. Departure from Initial Consultations and Public Trust ​Misleading Engagement: During early public engagement events, local residents and stakeholders were presented with plans for 2-storey structures. The unilateral change to 3-storey buildings without prior public re-consultation undermines trust in the Crown Development process and deprives the community of a fair opportunity to review modified visual impact assessments. ​5. Cumulative Environmental & Infrastructure Pressures ​Coastal and Habitat Impact: The increased density required to support 3-storey blocks puts undue pressure on the local coastal edge, public rights of way, and protected habitats along the coastline. ​Traffic & Local Infrastructure: Higher density (expanding capacity to 600 beds) significantly increases vehicle movements, staff traffic, and pressure on already strained local road networks and public services in Gosport. ​Conclusion ​The revision from 2-storey to 3-storey accommodation blocks represents an inappropriate overdevelopment of the Haslar site. It causes demonstrable harm to local visual amenities, the setting of nearby heritage assets, and the adjacent Conservation Area, contrary to local and national planning policies regarding design, scale, and heritage protection. ​I strongly urge the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State to refuse this application in its current form or require the applicant to revise the design back to a maximum height of 2 storeys, alongside wider mitigation measures.