Local officials are accusing the UK government of avoiding public scrutiny by fast-tracking plans to develop one of Europe's largest immigration detention centres on a Hampshire seafront. The Haslar Immigration Detention Centre in Gosport, which closed a decade ago, is slated for reopening and expansion to accommodate 600 foreign criminals and illegal migrants across three stories.
The development has been designated a 'national importance' project, allowing ministers to oversee the planning process through the recently introduced Crown Development scheme, bypassing the local council.
Zoe Huggins, leader of Gosport Borough Council, has written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging for the council's involvement in the planning process. She called for an open inquiry where local residents could voice their opinions, stating, "If the Government believes this expansion application stands up to scrutiny, it should not fear greater openness, transparency and scrutiny." Huggins emphasized that the council's concern is with the Crown Development process and ensuring local voices are heard, not with the planning merits of the scheme.
The expanded facility will house 600 detained men who will be unable to leave the centre or access the local area. This would make it one of Europe's largest, comparable to Harmondsworth near Heathrow, which has a capacity of 676.
Similar plans are underway to expand the Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire from 160 to 400 beds, also utilizing the Crown Development process. These projects, initially proposed by the Conservatives, are now being executed by the Labour government at an estimated cost of £399 million.
Residents near the Gosport site have expressed concerns about potential drops in property values and describe ongoing construction noise as disruptive. One resident reported a £25,000 decrease in their home's valuation since the plans were revealed.
"At the moment we are prisoners in our own homes. We can't sell our properties. We are trapped. We feel like prisoners," said one anonymous resident living near the centre, who also cited the mental health impact of the situation and early morning construction noise.
Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage has also advocated for the planning application to be reviewed by Gosport Borough Council rather than the Crown Development route. She expressed serious concerns that the government is attempting to push the application through with minimal scrutiny.
Redevelopment at Haslar is proceeding in phases. Phase 1 involves refurbishing existing buildings to provide 130 beds, with the first inmates expected in Spring 2027. Phase 2 will include new accommodation.
The government states that expanding both centres will increase detention capacity by 40%, potentially facilitating the removal of 45,000 individuals over the next decade. Plans also include moving asylum seekers into three former military bases, with two of these also utilizing the Crown Development process.
A Home Office spokesperson affirmed that all Crown Development planning applications involve extensive engagement and encouraged residents and stakeholders to share their views. The spokesperson added, "We make no apology for significantly expanding our detention capacity which will see more than 45,000 additional foreign criminals and illegal migrants removed over the coming decade."