Gosport residents raise migrant fears over immigration centre plans

Residents raise migrant fears over plans to bring the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) back into use.

The News recently reported that expanded proposals to put the Haslar IRC back into use are set to face a public inquiry, with residents "vindicated" for expressing their concerns.

The Planning Inspectorate confirmed that an inquiry will be held into the Home Office’s application to expand Haslar IRC to accommodate up to 600 people as part of a second phase for the site.

Work has been ongoing to bring the site back into use after its closure in 2015, with the first phase creating 130 beds. Plans were submitted for a decision via the Crown Development route - bypassing the local council’s usual decision-making process.

It follows calls from Gosport’s MP Caroline Dinenage and Gosport Borough Council for the proposals to be examined through a full public inquiry - the highest level of scrutiny - rather than decided solely on the written evidence submitted.

The Planning Inspectorate said an inquiry was necessary because the application has generated “considerable local interest” and because “some of the issues raised are complex and the evidence would benefit from formal cross-examination”.

Despite the victory of it going before a public inquiry, locals are still concerned about the prospect of it being on their doorstep and are demanding answers.

Paul Fielding, 61, said: “If it’s kept under lock and key and just kept as a removal centre where we know where they are I don’t have a problem but if they’re allowed to run around the town then I do.

“There will be a lot of problems if we do let them out of the centre. We have women and children here and you don’t know what sort of people they are.

“We’ve allowed ourselves to be abused as a country and it has to stop.”

Tina Matthews, 48, said: “It’s good they’re having a public inquiry about it. We’d all rather it wasn’t used for migrants but if it is the next best thing would be for them to remain detained there. I think there would be uproar if they were allowed access to the town.”

An army veteran, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s been there a long time but unfortunately they decided to open it up. It says a lot about the plans when some people with big houses near it have put them up for sale.

“People with fences are ok but people like me who live in communal areas would be worried about keeping them out.

“People are not being racist, it’s just common sense. Too many migrants are allowed in this country. We’re taking on thousands. There’s too many people in the country for the government to sustain.

“There’s the cost of living and housing costs are high. They should move any (migrants) who are not accounted for to places such as the removal centre. I don’t mind the legal migrants being here but not the illegal ones.”

Another person added: “I think Gosport showed the strength of feeling when they tried to bring in the migrants on Tuesday. At least with a removal centre they would, I assume, be held there before they are taken away. There are still questions that need to be answered.”

Dame Caroline previously said: “This is an important victory for local residents whose opposition has been vindicated. An inquiry is exactly what I called for in my objection.

“The Planning Inspectorate has recognised that there is considerable local interest in these proposals and, crucially, that some of the issues we have raised are sufficiently complex that they need to be properly tested.”

An Inquiry is the highest level of scrutiny available when examining the application and has been pencilled in for November 17 with details to be confirmed.