Fort Gilkicker in Gosport has sold for £1.3million

A Palmerston Fort in Gosport, Hampshire has sold at auction for £1,386,000.

Land and property auctioneers Clive Emson offered the fort alongside 117 other lots from across the south of England and into London and Essex.

The Grade II property comes with approved planning permission for a residential development, views across the Solent, a beach to the fore and a golf course at the rear of the property.

Fort Gilkicker was completed in 1871 and is a semi-circular ark that was designed to protect the deep water anchorage at Spithead, primarily from attack by the French.

Palmerston Forts were named after the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston although by the time this one was completed the French threat had largely subsided.

Planning permission has been granted to develop the Grade II-listed building into 26 homes, which would have stunning views across the Solent.

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Before the First World War the walls were further strengthened with earthwork embankments.

The fort was used in the First and Second World Wars and since then it has been used variously as a plumbers’ workshop, signalling station and storage units.

The council acquired ownership in 1986 until 1999 and since then it has been largely neglected

Rob Marchant, auctioneer, said: “The fort is situated at Stokes Bay in Gosport and is a magnificent relic of the Victorian era, built between 1863 and 1871.

“These forts were also known as Palmerston’s Follies, partly because some were built with the guns facing inland, but also because the French threat had diminished.

“Napoleon III's foreign policy became aligned with Britain’s so the threat of a French fleet attacking was unlikely.

“Behind the curved building where the guns were situated is a two-storey barrack block originally occupied by the officers.

“Permission has been granted to convert the fort into an exclusive estate of 26 homes. There would be 22 in the former gun emplacements and four really big apartments in the barrack block.

“Changes would include removing the earth wall put up before the First World War, to open up some stunning views across the Solent.

“There was a great deal of interest in the fort from potential buyers, several of whom toured the site.”

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