CROWN/2026/0000005 Valerie Potterton
- Date submitted
- 5 August 2026
- Submitted by
- Interested party
I have lived on Prison estates since 1971 and have lived happily in such an environment with no problems. I have no concerns basically with the intended Phase 1 expansion which appears to be similar to the original IRC which closed down holding approximately 100 immigrants. However I believe the intended Phase 2 is a very costly mistake. This is a highly populated residential area. It has already been proved that houses in Fort Road are unsaleable. This is not speculation but fact. We were assured that accommodation blocks would only be 2 storeys high and now the proposal is for 3 storeys. We have seen other developments which have been built in a countryside environment surrounded by fields away from other habitation. This development is directly adjacent to house owners property affecting outlook, privacy, daylight and sunlight. There is bound to be a lot of noise and disturbance from security lighting and the daily working of the facility. The centre is not situated in an accessible area. One road from town involves a single carriageway bridge with traffic lights, Clayhall Road is highly residential with cars parked both sides of the road in places causing congestion. Fort Road is very narrow in places. Children ride bicycles to school and extra traffic could prove very dangerous. Any emergency vehicles could find it very difficult to manoeuvre through the streets. I would like to know where all the 400 + members of staff are coming from. This is a peninsular and has always had traffic problems at certain times of the day. Will they be allocated parking spaces? Any extra parking on residential streets is unacceptable. We have visiting tradespeople, visitors and to be able to safely exit from our property. We have a lack of GP's and medical care as it is with long waiting lists. There should be no preferential treatment. We were originally advised that no immigrants would be allowed out of the Centre at any time. This does not now appear to be the case and immigration bail release could mean they would be released into Gosport. Yes I would like to attend a hearing.