Hampshire County Council

Executive member for Policy and Resources Item

12 December 2001

Fort Gilkicker

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decision is sought:

That approval be given to seek alternative proposals for the long term use of Fort Gilkicker and to take appropriate measures for protecting the public and securing the building as described in the report.

2

Reasons

2.1

Proposals for the refurbishment and conversion of the Fort have received a major setback with the withdrawal from the project of the Phoenix Trust. It is proposed that the scheme will be reappraised and all other options examined with a view to finding a permanent and viable use for the property.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Carrying out the scheme as a direct County Council project

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

Not applicable

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive member for Policy and Resources

12 December 2001

Fort Gilkicker, Gosport

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Introduction

1.1

Proposals for the refurbishment and conversion of the fort have received a major setback with the withdrawal from the project of the Phoenix Trust. It is proposed that the scheme will be reappraised and all other options examined with a view to finding a permanent and viable use for the property.

2

Background

2.1

The County Council acquired the fort in 1986 when it was surplus to the Ministry of Defence. Fort Gilkicker occupies a strategic position overlooking the Isle of Wight and the entrance to Portsmouth harbour and is a unique example of Victorian coastal fortifications. It is a massively constructed granite structure of semi-circular design and is a well known local landmark and has provided a popular viewing area for sailing events in the Solent.

2.2

Fort Gilkicker which is of national significance is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is listed Grade II*. The surrounding land is an Area of Local Nature Conservation Importance and the adjacent lagoons are classed as a Site of Special Scientific Importance.

2.3

The Phoenix Trust had worked with the County Council to devise a hugely imaginative scheme for the refurbishment and conversion of the fort to provide uses for the building that could have secured it for generations. The scheme, using only the existing structure would have provided 17 dwellings, an education centre, a museum and public access. Planning permission and several legal agreements were in place and grant aid from national sources had been promised.

2.4

Unfortunately because the cost of the scheme is so large and the market conditions for the finished dwellings relatively insecure, the marginal viability of the project has become too great a risk for the current development partners. The Phoenix Trust have decided that they simply cannot proceed to take the risk themselves and the County Council is not able to do so.

3

Proposals

3.1

With the benefit of the planning and listed building consents and other agreements, the options available to the County Council could include finding another partner for this scheme or for an alternative and less ambitious scheme. These possibilities will be progressed without delay, meanwhile the property is secured but not available for public access and may have to face a longer than expected period without any formal use. This will mean an early assessment of the public safety and security issues, measures to protect the fabric of the building as well as investigating the options for its future use.

4

Financial Implications

4.1

Initially the security and protection arrangements will be unavoidable expenditure. These costs can be met from current budgets. Any further financial requirements will be reported as necessary.