An historic sea fort at a town in the south of England could be turned into accommodation for migrants, sparking fury among critics of the reported proposal. Fort Blockhouse in Gosport, Hampshire, is reportedly being considered as a possible site where asylum seekers can be housed.
Surrounded by water on three sides, the fort dates back to 1431 and has served as a gun battery, submarine base and field hospital over five centuries of use by the military. The site was put up for sale in 2016 by the Ministry of Defence, but it remains unsold.
It is believed the site could provide temporary housing for asylum seekers as the Government seeks to end the use of hotels to accommodate migrants.
Gosport MP, Dame Caroline Dineage, told the House of Commons the town “deserves so much better”. She said the suggestion sites such as Fort Blockhouse would be used for asylum accommodation had first come from Reform UK, then the Government.
Luke Pollard, Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry, said he would be happy to meet Dame Caroline to discuss opportunities the defence estate could be used for in order to promote economic growth.
Dame Caroline is reported by the Mail as saying outside the Commons after the exchange: “This would be a terrible outcome for such a unique and special asset with such large potential.
“Hopefully, the minister can clarify his answer and share my vision towards a more positive future for the Blockhouse site when we meet.”
It emerged earlier in September that asylum seekers could be temporarily moved to military sites after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told his new-look Cabinet to “go up a gear” amid rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel.
Defence Secretary John Healey said on September 7 that military planners were being drafted into border command, while ministers were considering using defence sites to house migrants.
Ministers want to speed up plans to end the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of the Parliament after they became a focal point for anti-migrant protests over the summer.
Two former military sites, Napier Barracks in Kent and RAF Wethersfield in Essex, are already being used as asylum accommodation after being opened under the previous Conservative government.
The Napier site in Folkestone is scheduled to be returned to the Ministry of Defence this month, although its use by the Home Office was previously extended amid increased small boat crossings. More than 30,000 people have arrived in the UK on small boats so far this year.
Campaigners have previously criticised moves to expand the use of military sites, saying the approach has been a failure. Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Soloman, said: “The solution is faster, fairer decisions and safe housing in communities, so refugees can work, study and rebuild their lives.”
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment.