A public inquiry will be held into the government's plan to reopen and expand the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre in Gosport, Hampshire, which is slated to house 600 detained migrants. The Planning Inspectorate announced the inquiry, citing considerable local interest and complex issues that would benefit from formal cross-examination.
The decision follows backlash from local residents who have expressed concerns about the scale of the project and the process used for its approval. The Home Office utilized the Crown Development process, which allows the government to bypass local authorities for developments deemed of 'national importance.' This move has been criticized by residents and local officials for limiting their opportunity to voice opposition.
Residents living near the former Haslar site, which closed in 2015, have reported a potential drop in property values of up to £25,000 since the plans were revealed. They also cite two years of disruptive construction work, including early morning noise, dust, and traffic, which they say has made their lives difficult. Concerns have also been raised about the three-story blocks overlooking nearby homes, potentially compromising privacy.
Under the proposed plans, the facility will accommodate 600 detained men who will not be permitted to leave the center or access the local area. This would make Haslar one of Europe's largest immigration removal centers, comparable in capacity to Harmondsworth near Heathrow, which holds 676 individuals.
Phase one of the redevelopment, which includes creating 130 beds, is expected to be ready by autumn, with the first migrants anticipated to move in by spring 2027. Phase two would add an additional 470 beds.
MP for Gosport, Dame Caroline Dinenage, who has been actively opposing the plans, stated that the inquiry is an important victory for local residents and vindicates their opposition. She accused the Home Office of avoiding engagement with the community. Gosport Borough Council Leader, Cllr Zoe Huggins, also welcomed the inquiry, emphasizing that it ensures residents' concerns and the complexity of the issues are properly scrutinized.
The inquiry is scheduled to commence on November 17, 2026, though specific details are still to be confirmed. The Planning Inspectorate noted that the application has generated significant local interest and that some of the issues require thorough testing through formal examination.