Back to list

Date submitted

6 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I am a resident of a property neighbouring the proposed development and I wish to object to a Crown Development application in respect of the proposed expansion of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. In 2023 I attended an enlistment event to discover the nature of the proposals and it was confirmed at that event that the development would comprise buildings of no higher than two storeys and kept away from local residential properties as far as security arrangements would allow. This appears not to be the case. The method of a Crown Development route (CDR) will now preclude the submission of the proposals to the local planning authority - Gosport Borough Council. I object to this approach and would ask for a public enquiry rather than simply written submissions. I would add that I only discovered the CDR three days ago and so write in brief and haste. And further suggest the redaction of drawings and supporting documentation hasn't helped consideration of the application. My objections can be summarised : 1. Housing in the local area. The Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan proposed 225 homes on the site and this was put forward by the Ministry of Justice and worked on by GBC to provide a development appropriate to the area and able to deliver over 35% affordable housing. The Ministry withdrew the site from the Local Plan. Not good for the area or GBC's performance under the Government's Housing Delivery Test. 2. Position of Site Surely the siting of a 600 place immigration removal centre in this area is difficult to justify. The area includes many assets of national heritage importance: the Haslar Barracks Conservation Area, the Stokes Bay Conservation Area and the Haslar Peninsula Conservation area as well as the areas of special sites connected to Naval History. 3.Design of Buildings Elevations show very large, stark military style edifices, architecturally lacking in merit and in no way what was expected by GBC or indicated at the enlistment event. 4. Lighting and future use I have been informed that the proposals concerning lighting of the site are in line with those expected for a Category C prison. Is this the forward thinking of the Ministry of Justice? If so, I must object in that regards and also with reference to the light pollution which the many adjoining properties including mine will suffer. 5. Noise This is of great concern in a quiet residential area since the Planning Statement indicates that detained people will arrive or leave the site at all times of the day and night, staff will also arrive on shift and no doubt coaches will be use on occasion. 6 Release Procedures How will releases be managed?I am informed there could be around 2300 releases annually. And where will those released stay if remaining temporarily in the area or supervised or seeking help from local services? Gosport is very overcrowded with little provision for temporary housing on a bed and breakfast basis. 7 Healthcare One local GP practice has 60,000 patients with insufficient staffing. Queen Alexandras Hospital is oversubscribed and often under Special Supervision. Will the site have sufficient medical staff to undertake medical servicing of the detained? 8. Ecology The site is near several internationally as well as nationally protected areas, used for overwintering birds and near the Solent and Dorset Coast Special Protection area as well as many others including the Portsmouth Harbour Special Protection area. Has there been a recent bat survey or any recent ecological surveys since 2023? 9 Finally, I object to the application as it in no way appears to appreciate the steps Gosport has been making over the last ten years to develop into a pleasant South Coast town providing an interesting place for visitors as well as residents. A maritime Wormwood Scrubs would do little to enhance or promote the town's ambitions and aspirations. 10. I would ask to be present at any hearing proposed █████████████ 6.08.26