The Home Office is seeking permission to expand Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in Gosport from its planned capacity of 130 people to a 600-bed detention centre – before it has even reopened.

This is part of the government’s wider expansion of the UK’s immigration detention estate. In fact, a separate public consultation on the expansion of Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre in Oxford closes today. When going to submit Right to Remain’s representation, Ally noticed that the Home Office had made another application, this time to expand Haslar.

Like Campsfield, there is a Government consultation open for anyone to make representations to. Unlike Campsfield, which had a consultation window of 6 weeks, there have only been 4 weeks for people to object. Ally, our Lead Legal Education Officer, explains the situation in more detail in the blog below.

On 29 July, Right to Remain and These Walls Must Fall campaigners will host an online meeting about the proposal, the planning process, and how we can build effective opposition. Register at the bottom of this page.

At this meeting, we will:

• explain the Home Office’s plans to expand Haslar and why they matter
• outline the planning consultation process and the key issues people can raise in their objections
• share practical guidance on how individuals and organisations can submit objections before the consultation deadline
• provide space for questions, discussion and connection

Anyone can object to the proposal – you do not have to live in Gosport. People detained at Haslar could be taken there from anywhere in the UK, and the harms of detention are felt by families and communities across the country.

This meeting is open to everyone, whether you’re new to the issue or already involved in campaigning against immigration detention. Tickets are free, and we encourage you to share the event with your networks and communities. ​​