Victorian fort to be turned into 22 three-storey homes and four apartments after selling at £1.38m 

A derelict Victorian fort has offered for £1.38million after plans have been authorized to show it into a shocking gated growth.

Fort Gilkicker in Gosport, Hants, was in-built 1871 to guard the Royal Navy in close by Portsmouth from a possible assault by the French.

The semi-circular ark was stuffed with gun emplacements bearing down on Spithead off Portsmouth, the deep water anchorage for navy vessels.

In addition to the 22 casemates – giant rooms from which cannons could possibly be fired – 5 greater weapons have been mounted on the roof.

Planning permission was granted to transform the Grade II listed construction into 26 properties – 22 three-storey homes in the principle fort and 4 luxurious residences within the former two-storey barrack block.

The big financial institution in entrance of it can even be dug up, restoring the beautiful sea views of the 22 former gun casemates.

The quirky property, that additionally backs on to a golf course, was offered at Clive Emson auctioneers.

After the specter of a French invasion subsided, an enormous grass financial institution was constructed on its sea-side to additional strengthen its partitions.

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

Rob Marchant, auctioneer, stated: ‘The fort is located at Stokes Bay in Gosport and is an impressive relic of the Victorian period, constructed between 1863 and 1871.

‘These forts have been also referred to as Palmerston’s Follies, partly as a result of some have been constructed with the weapons dealing with inland, but in addition as a result of the French menace had diminished.

‘Napoleon III’s overseas coverage grew to become aligned with Britain’s so the specter of a French fleet attacking was unlikely.

‘Behind the curved constructing the place the weapons have been located is a two-storey barrack block initially occupied by the officers.

‘Permission has been granted to transform the fort into an unique property of 26 properties. There can be 22 within the former gun emplacements and 4 actually large residences within the barrack block.

‘Modifications would come with eradicating the earth wall put up earlier than the First World Warfare, to open up some beautiful views throughout the Solent.

‘Having grown up regionally the fort has all the time seemed because it does now. There’s a seashore on the entrance, a golf course on the again and superb views.

‘There was a substantial amount of curiosity within the fort from potential consumers, a number of of whom toured the positioning.’

The property is a Palmerston Forts, a gaggle of forts that have been constructed across the British coast to guard the nation towards the French.

They have been named after the Prime Minister of the day, Lord Palmerston.

They have been criticised as a result of by the point most of them have been accomplished the menace from the French navy had handed and so they grew to become out of date.

Mr Marchant added: ‘These forts have been also referred to as Palmerston’s Follies, partly as a result of some have been constructed with the weapons dealing with inland, but in addition as a result of the French menace had diminished.

‘Napoleon III’s overseas coverage grew to become aligned with Britain’s so the specter of a French fleet attacking was unlikely.’