The BBC website has just announced the following....
'A derelict sea fort built to deter a French invasion in the 19th Century has been sold for £715,000.
Horse Sand Fort is one of a group of four so-called “Palmerston's Follies” - artificial island fortifications - in the Solent. It was sold by businessman Mike Clare, who has transformed two of the other forts into luxury hotels.
Estate agent Colliers said the unnamed UK buyer aimed to "develop the site for a leisure use". Previously the firm said Horse Sand Fort had planning permission for 22 luxury residential apartments. In a marketing brochure, it said the property boasted "100 original chambers and living quarters, plus original gun carriages and armour-plated walls".
Mr Clare, who founded the Dreams bed company, put all three of his forts up for sale in 2019. He has set a deadline of 26 November for offers for No Man's Land Fort after dropping the asking price from £4.25m to £3.6m, Colliers said. His third fort, Spitbank, has been marketed for £4m.
Construction work on the Solent forts began in 1865 under former prime minister Lord Palmerston. By the time they had all been completed in 1880,' the invasion threat had passed.
The hotels on No Man's Land and Spitbank Forts were officially closed to guests in 2020. Solent Forts' website said reopening would be deferred until there was no threat of further coronavirus restrictions.
Volunteers are needed to help bring gun firing back to Fort Nelson in Portsmouth. The Portsdown Artillery Volunteers (PAV) were established to reenact the firing of the Victorian guns at Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill and they are looking to recruit new volunteers to help both fire and maintain the mighty Victorian guns. If you are interested in joining the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers and demonstrating this forgotten part of Britain’s history, you can contact the team at enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk or you can talk to some of the volunteers at their Fort Nelson open day between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 22 Octoberread more ...
The PFS is saddened to announce the passing of a founding member and great friend of the PFS - David Moore - a person of vast Victorian fortifications knowledge. The delay in advising the membership is out of respect for David's family who did not want it to be publicised until after his funeral.
The online auction on the Clive Emson site has just ended with Fort Gilkicker being sold for £1.386 million against a guide price of £1.5 million. There were four bidders willing to pay at least £1.35 million. We also have just had a recent report that intruders to the site – which is hardly secure – have done more permanent damage to the barracks block. We can only hope that the new owner – whatever their intentions – gets this site secure and safe very soon.
The BBC website has just announced the following.... 'A derelict sea fort built to deter a French invasion in the 19th Century has been sold for £715,000.read more ...