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Date submitted

6 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

Dear Planning Inspectorate I write to record my objection to the proposed Planning Application: CROWN/2026/0000005 As a local resident I find it totally unacceptable that our lives, concerns and voices are being ‘swept aside’ without due thought, consideration and consultation. I strongly object to the proposed upscaling of Haslar IRC in the Phase 2 expansion proposal, which seeks outline planning permission to add 470 extra beds to the site (bringing the total capacity to 600 beds). Total lack of Local Evidence Base and Prematurity; Phase 1 of the development (the 130-bed refurbishment) is not yet operational and is not scheduled to open until Spring 2027. Consequently, there is zero verifiable data regarding the impact of this facility on our local infrastructure. It is completely premature to grant outline planning permission for a massive 470-bed expansion when the baseline impact on local residents, traffic, emergency services, flood risks, and NHS capacity for the initial 130 beds have not yet been tested or recorded. These people are in the United Kingdom █████████████ awaiting deportation, yet their needs are being put above the needs of not just to those who reside in close proximity to the site but the wider Gosport community. The proposal represents a significant intensification of the site’s use. Height & Scale: The increase in the height of buildings from two storeys to three storeys, will have a greater visual impact on neighbouring residential properties and alter the character of the area. I am very concerned about the Overbearing Impact that the scale of the proposed expansion will have and adverse effect on local residents, especially those on Fort Road who will potentially loose their right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of their homes, the value of their homes decrease and their lives potentially made unbearable. The proposed three-storey secure accommodation blocks represent a severe over-development of the site. I appreciate that property values are not generally considered a material planning consideration but they reflect the wider impact that substantial changes of this nature can have on residential amenity and the attractiveness of an area. Traffic & Parking: The increase in traffic associated with such a large facility, potentially 774 vehicle movements per day is not considered in the heavily redacted Transport Assessment. Local residents are already subjected to noise & vibration from heavy and almost constant construction vehicles which are causing damage to local roads. Long term increase in local traffic resulting from staffing, visiting professionals, service vehicles and visitors will place additional pressure on an already congested local road network. Increased parking pressures within surrounding residential streets is significant if on-site provision is insufficient. Additionally, the proposed amendment to the local coastal path, which is a valued local amenity used by residents and visitors alike, to accommodate expanded car parking undermines local leisure infrastructure and conflicts with local policies aimed at preserving public coastal access. Transport: The redacted Transport Assessment does not adequately demonstrate that the impact of this proposal has been assessed alongside other planned development across the peninsula. Access to the site remains constrained, and the assessment relies, in part, on a future bus service that has not yet been secured. Emergency Services, and Flood Risk: The Haslar area sits in a vulnerable coastal location. In the event of a severe flood or emergency requiring evacuation, the 600 detainees, who require secure transport, presents a logistical nightmare that will severely strain Gosport’s emergency services. The local infrastructure cannot safely support a high-security population of this scale alongside the existing residential community. Health care & Services: I am extremely concerned that the Health Needs Assessment has not been published. At the last public meeting there were representatives from both the NHS & Private Sector that assured us that local health serves would not be affected. However, without any assessment, it is impossible to completely understand the likely demand upon local NHS services arising from the IRC accommodating up to 600 detainees. Public Safety. Immigration Bail is now a very real possibility for detainees. HO have not clearly stated how people being released will leave the site. At the first public meeting by the MoJ/Home Office, we were assured that the IRC facility would be for male detainees whose asylum applications had been determined and rejected, and that all detainees would be repatriated directly from the HASLAR IRC. However It is now clear that that will not be the case and that, should it operate at its full capacity of 600 detainees then there could be up to 8,000 detainees taken into the Haslar IRC each year with up to 50% of those released on bail and taken to Gosport ferry. But then what? Cumulative & Operational Impacts: The cumulative impact that these changes may have on neighbouring residential amenity, including outlook, noise, activity and the overall character of the area needs quantitate assessment, considered planning and scrutiny. Unlike surrounding development, the IRC 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 I also consider references to Category C prison standards create unnecessary uncertainty regarding the future operation of the site. I respectfully ask that the planning inspectorate carefully considers All aspects of Phase 2 development including * the proposed scale of development is proportionate *the transport, parking impact and emergency services have been fully assessed, * the visual and health impact on neighbouring residents * the local healthcare provision and *Public safety The government's decision to bypass significant local engagement has left residents feeling entirely invisible, causing intense stress and negatively impacting the mental wellbeing of the community. I urge the Planning Inspectorate to reject the Phase 2 expansion outline planning permission. The Home Office should be required to operate Phase 1 safely and transparently for a minimum trial period before any further capacity increases are ever considered. I would like to attend a hearing if held.