Gosport Borough Council has approved a home extension despite security objections from the neighbouring Royal Navy’s Institute of Naval Medicine, which feared the development could compromise military establishment safety.
Ross Wincott’s application to build a single-storey side and rear extension at 7 Ellachie Mews received unanimous approval from the council’s regulatory board on 4th June, overruling concerns raised by the adjacent naval facility.
The approved plans include reinstating a garage measuring 7.7m by 9.3m alongside additional family living space at the detached property, which was constructed in 2004 within the grounds of Monckton Cottage.
The Institute of Naval Medicine, located in Alverstoke and serving as the Royal Navy’s principal medical training and research establishment, submitted objections citing significant security implications. The facility argued the proposed structure should maintain a minimum three-metre distance from its perimeter wall to prevent potential unauthorised access via the extension’s roof.
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In a secondary objection, the institute disputed claims it had been properly consulted about the development. Officials raised additional concerns regarding the removal of two lime trees and potential damage to existing boundary wall foundations from the proposed footings, warning this could lead to structural collapse and “severely compromise INM security.”
According to heritage documentation, the original plot division had provided adequate parking facilities but necessitated demolishing the existing garage, which the current application seeks to reinstate.
Councillor Richard Earle (Liberal Democrat, Elson), who chairs the regulatory board, suggested the institute could address security concerns by constructing an additional internal fence within its own boundary perimeter.
The planning application 24/00348/FULL received swift approval, with the board taking only minutes to endorse the council officer’s positive recommendation despite the military facility’s reservations.
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