Hampshire County Council

Executive Member for Policy and Resources Item

18 July 2007

Fort Gilkicker, Alverstoke

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of an EXEMPT decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decision is sought:

That approval be given to accept an offer for the sale of Fort Gilkicker, Alverstoke, on the basis set out in the report with the Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates) being authorised to determine the purchaser and settle the conditions.

2

Reason

2.1

This report seeks authority to dispose of the freehold interest in Fort Gilkicker, in order to bring the property back into beneficial use through the restoration and conversion of the Fort to residential apartments. The recommended scheme will incorporate sustainable best practice and will seek to maximise well-being for future residents, improve public safety in the area and enhance the appearance and setting of this historic fort. The sale will protect the present arrangement whereby the Ministry of Defence operate a radar mast at the property, which is of major importance to the management of military, commercial and recreational vessels in the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

The alternative of the County Council continuing to maintain and secure the premises has been rejected on financial grounds. Previous schemes by the Phoenix Trust and Try Homes from 1998 to 2004 were abandoned by prospective developers due to uncertainty over the financial viability of their schemes.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted - None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - None