“Utterly derisory” Home Office slammed for refusing to meet residents living near Haslar Immigration Removal Centre

The government has been accused of shunning local residents living close to the revamped Haslar Immigration Removal Centre by refusing to attend a meeting to update them about the site.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage accused the Government of an “utterly derisory” attitude to those living closest to the Immigration Removal Centre, saying that the Home Office was doing “its utmost to avoid engaging with local people”.

It follows their decision to send a statement to the MP for the meeting instead of sending anyone to the meeting which was attended by almost 100 residents who neighbour the Dolphin Way site on Friday, September 4. Dame Caroline said the Home Office declined multiple invitations to attend, instead sending instead a two-page statement at her request.

The meeting, organised by Dame Caroline, brought together neighbouring residents, local councillors and officers from Gosport Borough Council and follows months of pressure from Dame Caroline over the Government’s handling of the redevelopment of the centre.

As previously reported by The News, the Haslar IRC is being revamped so that it can be brought back into use, with a first phase creating 130 beds, and phase two increasing the capacity to 600 beds.

But while the first phase was approved via Gosport Borough Council’s local planning making process, the second phase is going via the Crown Development route - taking local decision-making powers away.

Dame Caroline raised her disappointment with the Home Office over their lack of attendance in a meeting with the new Border Security and Asylum Minister, Anna Turley, just two days before, where she blasted officials for their lackadaisical record of engagement with residents and management of contractors.

At the meeting, which was only open to those living closest to, and most impacted by the redevelopment of the Haslar site, residents raised concerns about the impact of ongoing construction work and heavy vehicle movements, the size and scale of Phase 2 of the site and lack of public consultation, as well as the plans for security and transport arrangements and the need for much better communication from the Home Office.

Dame Caroline said: “I was disappointed that given the tragic record of engagement by the Home Office they decided to refuse this opportunity to meet the people living closest to Haslar and hear what they had to say.

“Residents spoke very powerfully about the impact this is already having on their daily lives, whether that is construction traffic passing their front doors, concerns about security or simply not knowing who at the Home Office they are supposed to contact when something goes wrong.

“I have taken away a number of very clear points which I will now be pressing the Government on. Most urgent is the need for a clear point of contact in the Home Office to deal with resident’s day to day concerns as well as more frequent and thorough updates on news and developments at the site.

“Residents have put up with far too much uncertainty and poor communication throughout this process. They deserve answers and they deserve to be properly involved in what happens next.”

The MP offered to take a number of issues raised at the meeting directly back to the Home Office, while councillors also undertook to pursue matters falling within the responsibilities of local authorities and Hampshire Constabulary.

The statement from the Home Office to the meeting acknowledged local concerns and promised regular written updates.

It said: “The Home Office understands the concerns raised about construction noise, parking, litter and communication and will provide a named contact for local residents to enable action to be taken in a timely manner.

“The Home Office and its contractors continue to monitor these issues and have introduced mitigations, including dedicated contractor parking arrangements, daily litter picking and the use of Fort Road Car Park to reduce pressure on residential streets.

“We will provide a monthly written Home Office-led communication to neighbouring residents so that they receive timely updates on construction, planning and the steps being taken to reduce local impacts. The Home Office will continue to engage constructively with residents, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Gosport Borough Council and other local partners as the project progresses.

“We will listen to concerns, provide clear information and ensure the redevelopment is delivered safely, securely and with proper regard for the community.”

Leader of Gosport Borough Council Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM also addressed the meeting, setting out the council’s concerns about the process being used for the proposed expansion.

Gosport Borough Council, have called for an open inquiry into the proposals and for a Community Liaison Panel to be established, giving residents a direct and ongoing route to raise concerns with the Home Office and other agencies.

Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM said: “What we heard at the meeting reinforced exactly why the Council has been pressing the Government for greater openness and much better engagement with the people who will be most affected by these plans.

“Residents should not feel that decisions are simply being made around them. They need a proper way to raise concerns, receive answers and know that somebody is listening.

“That is why we have called for an open inquiry and a Community Liaison Panel. Whatever happens next with Haslar, local people must be properly involved.”

Dame Caroline has repeatedly opposed the decision to use the Crown Development planning process for Phase 2, arguing that a development of this scale should be subject to proper local scrutiny.

In June, Caroline challenged the then Border Security and Asylum Minister in the House of Commons, describing the level of public consultation as “utterly derisory” and demanding greater opportunities for Gosport residents to have their say.

When the Phase 2 application was subsequently published, Caroline submitted a detailed nine-page objection raising concerns about the height and scale of the proposed development, its impact on the surrounding area, transport, security, flood risk and the loss of land previously identified for housing.

Gosport Borough Council have also submitted their concerns both via the Home Office planning consultation and in a separate letter expanding on the inadequacy of the Crown Development process and lack of opportunity for both Council and public views to be properly considered.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “While it was not possible to attend this meeting on this occasion, we will continue to engage with local residents in Gosport, whose views and concerns remain a key consideration.

“All Crown Development planning applications require extensive engagement, and we encourage residents and stakeholders to share their views through the formal process.”