Work is underway at the Grade II-listed Fort Gilkicker in Stokes Bay, Gosport, to convert it into 26 new homes, with 22 apartments in the former gun emplacements overlooking the sea, and four really big apartments in the barrack block behind.
Fort Gilkicker was a Palmerston Fort built between 1863 and 1871 in case the French attacked in the Victorian period, although this was unlikely as the French threat had diminished and it was known as a ‘Palmerston's Folly’. The fort was disarmed in 1956 and used for storage until 1999, and is currently in a state of disrepair. it was sold at auction for £1.4m in 2022 following the decision to grant planning permission for the site to give it a new lease of life.
Photographer Sarah Standing popped along to take a look at the progress of the project:
1. Fort Gilkicker
A transformation under way at Fort GilkickerPicture: Sarah Standing (010424-9875) Photo: Sarah Standing
2. Fort Gilkicker
Local residents have been watching the work progressPicture: Sarah Standing (010424-9870) Photo: Sarah Standing
3. Fort Gilkicker
Work has been going on for the past few monthsPicture: Sarah Standing (010424-9855) Photo: Sarah Standing
4. Fort Gilkicker
Behind the fences, a transformation is taking placePicture: Sarah Standing (010424-9840) Photo: Sarah Standing