Council leaders in Gosport, Hampshire, have accused the UK Home Office of attempting to circumvent scrutiny by fast-tracking plans to redevelop and expand the Haslar Immigration Detention Centre. The facility, which closed a decade ago, is slated for a significant enlargement to house up to 600 foreign criminals and illegal migrants, a move designated as being of 'national importance' under a new Crown Development scheme.
This designation allows ministers, rather than local councils, to oversee the planning process. Zoe Huggins, leader of Gosport Borough Council, has written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, demanding a role in the decision-making process and calling for an open inquiry. "If the Government believes this expansion application stands up to scrutiny, it should not fear greater openness, transparency and scrutiny," Huggins stated, emphasizing the council's request for full evidence and a community liaison panel.
The expanded Haslar facility will be three storeys high and provide 600 beds for detained men who will be unable to leave the center or access the local area. The largest immigration removal center in Europe is Harmondsworth near Heathrow, with a capacity of 676.
Similar plans are underway to expand Campsfield House immigration removal center in Oxfordshire from 160 beds to 400, also utilizing the Crown Development process. Both sites will detain individuals awaiting deportation. These expansions, initially proposed by the Conservatives, are now being pursued by the Labour government at an estimated cost of approximately £399 million.
Residents near the Gosport site have expressed concerns about declining property values, with some reporting a potential £25,000 drop. They also cite disruptions from ongoing construction work, which they claim has made their lives difficult. "At the moment we are prisoners in our own homes. We can't sell our properties," one resident stated, requesting anonymity. "We feel like prisoners."
Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage has also voiced her opposition, arguing that the Crown Development route removes decision-making from local people and places it in the hands of civil servants and politicians in Whitehall. 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, expected to be ready by autumn, with the first inmates anticipated in Spring 2027. Phase 2 will involve new-build accommodation.
The Home Office has defended the expansion, stating that it will increase detention capacity by 40 percent, potentially facilitating the removal of 45,000 individuals over the next decade. A spokesperson said, "All Crown Development planning applications require extensive engagement, and we encourage residents and stakeholders to share their views through the formal process. 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."