The Regulatory Board met on 30 September 2025 to discuss planning applications for the Immigration Removal Centre on Dolphin Way and Gosport Borough Football Club. Councillors approved the replacement of fencing at the Immigration Removal Centre, with an additional condition restricting working hours, and approved the installation of an artificial pitch at Gosport Borough Football Club, subject to conditions.

Immigration Removal Centre Fencing

Councillors approved the application for the installation of like-for-like replacement fencing, gates and timber fence panels at the Immigration Removal Centre on Dolphin Way. However, they added a condition that work only be permitted between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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. The site encloses the Haslar Barracks Conservation Area.

The application sought permission for the installation of replacement fencing on a like-for-like basis, with the materials, design, colour and height (5.2m) remaining unchanged.

Objections and Concerns

The Board received a deputation from Alison Godbold, representing residents living near the IRC, who raised concerns about poor communication from the Home Office regarding the development. Godbold stated that residents had been promised information since November 2022, but only received it in August 2025, and that an engagement event promised in January 2023 was not taking place until October 2025.

Other issues raised included:

• Disturbance from workers arriving early (from 6:15am) and starting work at 7am.
• Noise disturbance from the replacement of 187 fence panels and concrete posts.
• Concerns about the ecological survey being out of date, and the need to protect wildlife, including bats and badgers.

In response, Munier Jussab, the senior project lead for phase one, representing the Home Office, stated that the replacement fence was needed for longevity and because the existing fence was coming to the end of its useful life. He said that he felt that 8am until 5pm were appropriate working hours, and would reiterate this to contractors.

Decision

Despite the planning officer's advice that the work to install a replacement fence would not lead to disturbance of such significance as to warrant the imposition of a condition limiting timings, councillors voted to add a condition restricting working hours.

Gosport Borough Football Club Artificial Pitch

Councillors approved the retrospective application for the installation of an artificial pitch to replace the existing grass pitch at Gosport Borough Football Club on Privett Road. The approval is subject to the completion of an acceptable Community Use Agreement¹ and a Biodiversity Gain Plan², and delegated authority being given to the Development Manager to impose planning conditions relating to the continued compliance with the Community Use Agreement and the delivery and maintenance of Biodiversity Net Gain mitigation.

The application site is the Gosport Borough Football Club ground, located to the north of Privett Road and in the southwest corner of Privett Park. The Football Club and Privett Park are designated as an area of Open Space within the Gosport Borough Local Plan 2011-2029 and is also within an area identified as a site for Brent Geese, within the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy (2024).

The works were commenced after the application was submitted but have already been completed on site, with the pitch already in use.

Objections and Support

The council received seven letters of objection and seven letters of support for the proposal.

Objectors raised concerns about:

• The availability of all-weather facilities at Bayhouse playing fields and HMS Sultan.
• The use of high-level, high-power lights every evening and weekend.
• Noise from supporters and the tannoy system.
• Impact on local wildlife, including bats.
• Lack of parking.
• The club becoming a leisure centre for associated teams.

Supporters said that the new pitch would:

• Provide a reliable, high-quality playing surface that can be used all year round.
• Be a more sustainable option, reducing the need for water, fertilisers and regular mowing.
• Benefit all local youth football clubs, schools and colleges.
• Help young people develop skills and confidence.

Planning Considerations

The planning officer's report noted that the works had already been undertaken and the pitch is in use, but that the application must be considered on its merits, irrespective of its completion. The report also noted that matters relating to how the pitch is funded are not relevant planning matters.

The main issues for consideration were whether the loss of the existing grass pitch is acceptable, whether there would be any impacts on occupiers of adjoining properties, or on the existing parking provision, and whether there would be any impacts on protected species, or other biodiversity interests.

The report concluded that the loss of the existing grass pitch is mitigated by the provision of a Football Artificial Grass Pitch, and that the proposals are in accordance with Policy LP35³ of the Gosport Borough Local Plan 2011-2029.

The report also concluded that it is not considered that the likely increase in use of the pitch would be so significant to have an unacceptable and harmful impact on the occupiers of nearby properties, and that the proposals are in accordance with Policies LP10⁴ and LP46⁵ of the Gosport Borough Local Plan.

The report stated that the site is located within an area identified as a Candidate Site (G16) within the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy, but that it can be concluded that the proposals would not result in a significant impact on Brent Geese.

Decision

Councillors welcomed the conclusion of the project and praised the football club for their swift work in getting the pitch installed. They recognised the benefit that an all-weather pitch provided, and that there was a solution to the biodiversity issues presented.

Councillors agreed to delegate authority to the Development Manager, in consultation with the Chairman of the Regulatory Board, to finalise the details of the Community Use Agreement and Biodiversity Gain Plan.