Haslar Immigration Centre Set for 2024 Reopening After Years of Delay
Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, has met with new Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, to discuss the long-awaited reopening of the Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) at Haslar.
From Closure to Comeback: The Haslar IRC Story
The Haslar IRC has been shut since 2016, awaiting a major facelift. Set to reopen in 2024, the site will serve as a secure facility for foreign national offenders. However, asbestos removal and other delays have slowed progress.
Dame Caroline visited the site in December to see the redevelopment up close. She promptly arranged a meeting with Minister Tomlinson to get the lowdown on construction updates and the project’s background.
Keeping Gosport in the Loop
Throughout the process, Dame Caroline has made it a priority to keep locals informed. She’s organised talks and Q&A sessions with Home Office staff and contractors, drawing over 200 residents at the latest event in January 2023.
“While many of us would rather see a different future for Haslar, the years of neglect have cost taxpayers dearly,” Dame Caroline said after her meeting. “The reopening will create around 200 local jobs, which is a boost the Gosport economy desperately needs.”
Looking Ahead: Jobs and Growth for Gosport
A strong advocate for finding purpose for the Haslar site, Dame Caroline has pushed for either its sale or repurposing to drive jobs and growth. Now, she’s hopeful the centre’s revival will finally deliver benefits to the community.
