A multi-million pound historic Solent fort remains for sale, after three years on the market – and a new planning application sets out to ensure any new buyer will have the option to convert it into a (albeit unusual) private home.
It means the owners of No Man’s Fort, Clarenco LLP, are faced with having to reapply for permission to allow the iconic building to be turned into a house.
Nearly three years ago, permission was granted to re-purpose the fort — which has been run as an exclusive hotel, halfway between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth — into one big house, making it more attractive to buyers.
When it gave the idea the green light, in May 2020, the Isle of Wight Council required the change to be carried out within three years.
Now, it needs a fresh application.
Agent Rolfe Judd Planning said, in a letter to the Isle of Wight Council, permission had not been implemented due to difficulty in finding a buyer for the site.
A new application would allow a further three years for the property to be marketed as a home.
The agent said the fort had been run as a successful hotel in previous years, but running costs and other issues had meant an alternative use was being sought.
The fort, which is one of Palmerston’s follies, built in the 19th Century as a line of defence against the threat of invasion from France, has been on the market since 2019.
It was decommissioned by the Ministry of Defence in 1956 and then sold to private developers.
Its £4.25 million original price tag has been reduced to £3.6 million. It features 23 bedrooms, a lighthouse, laser battle play area and spa.
In 2012, Clarenco (also known as Solent Forts) converted it, adding a helipad, indoor swimming pool and restaurant.
Neighbouring Spitbank Fort has also been put up for sale again, for £3 million, with the possibility it could become a home or a hotel.
You can see the plans 23/00292/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until March 31.
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
