Replacement security fencing at Immigration Removal Centre, Gosport

What was proposed

The application sought like-for-like replacement fencing, gates and timber fence panels, retaining the existing materials, design, colour and 5.2-metre height.

“INSTALLATION OF LIKE FOR LIKE REPLACEMENT FENCING, GATES AND TIMBER FENCE PANELS Immigration Removal Centre 2 Dolphin Way Gosport Hampshire PO12 2AW”

“This application seeks permission for the installation of replacement fencing on a like for like basis in order for it to be compliant with current technical standards. The materials, design, colour and height (5.2m) would remain unchanged.”

Officer report

The site

The vacant centre is within and beside a conservation area, enclosed by four-metre fencing, and lies in Flood Zones 2 and 3 near a wildlife strategy area.

“The application site is a currently vacant Immigration Removal Centre located adjacent to the junction of Fort Road and Dolphin Way which is in the process of being refurbished to facilitate its reuse. The site is enclosed by 4 metre high fencing and comprises a number of buildings forming a Victorian Barracks with a number of more recent ancillary structures.”

Officer report

Earlier site decisions

Earlier permissions covered demolition of ancillary buildings, a store and boiler house, while solar panels received a decision that prior approval was not required.

“24/00016/P14JPA - GPDO Part 14 application - installation of solar panels (conservation area) - Prior Approval Not Required - 21/03/2024.”

“24/00352/DEMO - GPDO Part 11 Notification - demolition of boiler house (conservation area) - Prior Approval Granted - 10/12/24”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the replacement would not harm neighbours, the conservation area, highway safety or ecology, subject to a bird-season condition.

“The main issues in this case are the impact of the replacement fencing on the occupiers of adjoining buildings and the wider area, whether the replacement fencing would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Haslar Barracks Conservation Area and whether the works would have an unacceptable impact on ecology interests or whether the proposed works would have any impact in highway terms.”

“The proposal is to replace the existing perimeter fencing, with like for like fencing in terms of height (5.2m) and materials. Given the proposed use of the site as the Haslar IRC, the fencing is deemed to be a necessary security requirement.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highway authority and county ecology raised no objection, while the Gosport Society objected because of the conservation area.

“The Gosport Society Objection received due to impact on Conservation Area.”

Officer report

What speakers said

A residents’ representative described poor communication, early noise, parking disruption and wildlife concerns, while the applicant supported approval and accepted weekday working hours.

Members’ debate

Members considered residents’ disturbance concerns and supported restricting work to weekdays between 8am and 5pm, despite officer advice that this was unnecessary.

“Members expressed concern at the disturbance the proposal and additional work was causing the residents recognising the valid concerns of the neighbouring residents and felt that the inclusion of a condition limiting construction hours to 8am until 5pm and recognised…”

“The Board was advised by the planning officer that it was considered that the work to install a replacement fence would not lead to disturbance of such significance asto warrant the imposition of a condition limiting timings.”

Minutes