Plans to significantly expand immigration detention facilities in the United Kingdom have drawn sharp criticism from local residents who fear the repercussions on their communities. The Home Office is proposing to reopen and enlarge the Haslar Immigration Detention Centre in Gosport, Hampshire, to accommodate 600 individuals, nearly tripling its previous capacity and making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe.
Haslar, which closed a decade ago, is being refurbished to house foreign criminals and immigration offenders awaiting deportation. The expansion, part of a broader government initiative costing approximately £399 million, has been designated as a matter of national importance, bypassing local council planning authority under the Crown Development scheme. Residents near the Gosport site report a potential drop in property values, with one resident claiming their home is now worth £25,000 less. They express concerns about privacy, noise from ongoing construction, and the potential for a decline in their quality of life, with one anonymous resident stating, "At the moment we are prisoners in our own homes. We can't sell our properties. We are trapped."
Beyond the immediate impact on Gosport, the Home Office also intends to expand Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire, increasing its capacity from 160 to 400 beds. This site was previously closed in 2019 following a review that highlighted welfare concerns. Protests have already occurred at Campsfield House, with participants holding "refugees welcome" banners.
Collectively, the proposed expansions aim to increase detention capacity by 40%, with the government estimating this could facilitate the removal of 45,000 individuals over the next decade. The Home Office stated that these expansions are necessary to address illegal migration. "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,” a spokesperson said.
However, local representatives have voiced opposition to the centralized planning process. Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage has urged ministers for clarity, writing to the Home Secretary and requesting that the application be considered by the local planning authority. She expressed concern that the current process “takes decision-making away from local people and into the hands of civil servants and Labour politicians in Whitehall.”
While a Home Office-funded community impact assessment suggests the Haslar redevelopment will create 341 construction jobs and contribute £19.7 million annually to the local economy, residents remain skeptical. Redevelopment work at Haslar is proceeding in phases, with the first 130 beds expected to be ready by autumn and the initial inmates anticipated in Spring 2027. A public consultation on the expansion plans closes on August 6.