Fort Blockhouse in Gosport not to house asylum seekers
The Home Office has confirmed this after rumours
Last updated 3rd Oct 2025
Britain’s oldest sea fort is not on the government’s list to house asylum seekers, the Home Office has confirmed.
Rumours that’flew around’ a few weeks ago claimed Fort Blockhouse in Gosport could be used as temporary accommodation.
At a Gosport Borough Council extraordinary regulatory board on Tuesday, September 30, where a planning application to replace the fence at the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre in Dolphin Way was considered, council leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn asked whether the rumours were true.
Cllr Chegwyn said: “There are rumours out in the community that say Fort Blockhouse is being considered for improvements, do you know that this is untrue?”
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “I can give you an answer to that. Fort Blockhouse is currently not on the government list.”
Welcoming the response, Cllr Chegwyn added: “I’m really grateful that you answered that. This is helpful to know. We don’t have any demonstration in Gosport so far, but there is one rumour for Saturday.”
Cllr Chegwyn referred to a protest that is organised against the idea that the sea fort could house asylum seekers instead of regenerating Gosport. It is due to be held on Saturday, October 4.
The leader of Gosport added: “Frankly, they are wasting their time expanding concerns.
“My fear is that on Saturday, they would be at Fort Blockhouse, and they also carried out to your premises Haslar, which is down the road.
“Really, that’s not what we want in Gosport, and the rumours for Fort Blockhouse irritated the community, so thank you for clarifying that.”
Fort Blockhouse was built in 1431, and it is considered Britain’s oldest sea fort.
The former military site has been up for disposal since 2016. It remains up for sale by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with interested parties making approaches.