Update September 2026
Caroline met with the new Minister responsible for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley MP, to raise residents’ concerns directly. She pressed the Minister on the poor communication and engagement from the Home Office, the proposed height and proximity of the new accommodation buildings, and sought further reassurance about who will be detained at Haslar and the arrangements for those leaving the site.
The Minister acknowledged that communication with residents had not been good enough and committed to looking at improvements, including better updates, a named point of contact for residents and the establishment of a Community Liaison Panel.
On 4th September, Caroline also held a meeting for residents living closest to Haslar to hear directly about the impact the ongoing redevelopment is already having on them. More than 100 people attended, alongside Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Deputy Leader Cllr Lesley Meenaghan, Cllr Alan Scard, Cllr Robbie Beech MBE and senior Council officers. The Home Office was invited but declined to attend.
Residents raised concerns including construction traffic, noise and disturbance, security, transport arrangements and the continued lack of effective communication from the Home Office. Caroline has taken a number of these issues back to the Home Office and will continue to press for answers.
The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the Home Office’s Phase 2 application will be considered through a full Planning Inquiry, following requests from Caroline and local Conservative councillors.
An Inquiry provides the highest level of scrutiny available and means the evidence behind the Home Office’s proposals can be properly examined and tested, including through formal cross-examination. The Planning Inspectorate has said an Inquiry is necessary because of the considerable local interest in the application and the complexity of some of the issues raised.
The Inquiry will be open to the public. Anyone wishing to formally participate can request to do so by contacting the Planning Inspectorate at [email protected] and quoting reference CROWN/2026/0000005.
Caroline intends to participate in the Inquiry and will continue to represent residents’ concerns as the Home Office’s proposals are scrutinised in detail. The date, time and venue will be confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate in due course.
Update July 2026
The Home Office has now submitted its planning application for Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. The proposals would increase the site’s overall capacity to 600 beds and include the construction of four new three-storey accommodation buildings.
The full application and supporting documents can be viewed here.
Caroline has submitted a detailed objection to the application, raising concerns about the height and scale of the proposed buildings, traffic and night-time disturbance, flood risk, pressure on local services, the impact on protected habitats and the neighbouring conservation area, and the lack of meaningful public engagement.
Caroline is also deeply disappointed that the Government has chosen to use the Crown Development process, meaning the application will be determined nationally rather than through the usual local planning process at Gosport Borough Council.
Caroline’s full objection can be read below.
Update June 2026
Caroline questioned Home Office Minister Alex Norris MP in the House of Commons about the expansion and what the Government’s plans to increase removals would mean for Haslar. The Minister agreed to meet with Caroline but later cancelled the meeting.
Caroline has since written to the Home Secretary asking for an urgent meeting with the new Minister so that residents’ concerns can be properly addressed.
Update May 2026
We are still awaiting the Home Office’s planning application for Phase 2 of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre.
Many residents were as concerned as Caroline to see the latest plans showing three-storey buildings at the site. This is not what was shown in the early proposals presented at the initial residents’ meetings.
Caroline is also extremely concerned that the application looks set to be decided nationally rather than by local councillors who know the area, are accountable to residents and would consider local concerns through the usual planning process.
Caroline has called on the Home Secretary to submit the application through Gosport Borough Council, just as any other applicant would be required to do, and allow local people to have a proper say.
Update March 2026
Caroline posted a video update on her Facebook page covering Phase 2 planning, Phase 1 construction, and parking. You can watch that here.
Update October 2025
The Home Office held its second public engagement event at Thorngate Halls on 10th October, where residents were shown the plans for Phase 2 of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre.
There was a good turnout, and Caroline attended to hear residents’ views and see the proposals for the first time.
Caroline raised concerns about the proposed three-storey buildings, which she believes would be too high for the site.
Haslar IRC Background
Redevelopment at Haslar has taken a phased approach, with Phase 1 consisting of the refurbishment of existing buildings, and Phase 2 involving the building of new accommodation. Phase 1 will provide 130 beds, and is expected to be delivered by the end of this year. The Government’s intention is for the site to ultimately provide 600 beds. The site, which was an Immigration Removal Centre for over 30 years before it closed in 2016 is expected to create around 500 jobs.
When it reopens, the IRC will be a secure site for time-served Foreign National Offenders and immigration offenders awaiting removal from the UK. People detained at Haslar will not be able to leave the site or access the local area.
Since the 2024 General Election Caroline has been keen to engage with the Ministers to ensure that Gosport residents’ views were being considered by the Government. Caroline stressed the utmost importance of keeping residents informed and updated.
Caroline continues to monitor the progress closely, prioritising the well-being of local residents, and pushing for them to be kept informed throughout the process. The Home Office is still in the process of redeveloping the site under Phase 1, which was delayed due to a number of factors including asbestos.
Caroline recently received a copy of a letter which was sent to neighbouring residents from the Home Office with information regarding the site. She has been clear that local people need reassurance that the health facilities on site (which sound considerably better than those available locally!) won’t take resources away from local services.
