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Date submitted

5 August 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I wish to object to the proposed expansion of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. As a local resident, my objection is based on the impact I believe this development would have on the future of the Haslar Peninsula and the wider Gosport area. Over recent years, significant investment has been made in regenerating Haslar. Developments at the former Royal Hospital Haslar, Fort Blockhouse and other nearby sites are transforming the area into an attractive waterfront community with new homes, businesses, heritage attractions and public spaces. This regeneration has the potential to bring long-term economic, social and environmental benefits to Gosport. I am concerned that expanding the Immigration Removal Centre to accommodate up to 600 detainees is inconsistent with that vision. The scale and nature of the proposed development could undermine confidence in the area, making it less attractive to prospective residents, businesses and investors. Once such a major facility is established, its presence could influence perceptions of the area for many years and potentially affect the success of surrounding regeneration projects. I am also concerned that the proposal represents a significant intensification of the existing site without sufficient evidence that the wider impacts have been fully considered. Increased operational activity, traffic and demand on local infrastructure should be assessed alongside the many other developments planned for the peninsula, rather than in isolation. Haslar is a unique historic waterfront area with enormous potential. I believe planning decisions should support that long-term vision rather than introduce a development that risks conflicting with it. For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Planning Inspector to refuse planning permission for the proposed expansion.