Dame Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, has told the House of Commons that using Fort Blockhouse for asylum accommodation would not be in the area’s best interests.

 Speaking at Defence Questions, Caroline said: Fort Blockhouse in Gosport was due to have been sold by 2024, but the deadline keeps moving. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has not been at all proactive; this giant site sits empty, doing nothing for the MOD, taxpayers or the local economy.

“First Reform and then the Government have suggested that sites like Blockhouse will be used for asylum accommodation. Gosport deserves so much better. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss a much more innovative future for this important site?”

Caroline has long campaigned for Blockhouse to be disposed of by the Ministry of Defence so that it can contribute to the local economy and cease to be a drain on taxpayers. The Blockhouse site, which houses the UK’s oldest fortification, has now been marked for disposal in 2025, but no offers have been considered so far.

The Government recently announced that it was exploring using defence sites as temporary asylum accommodation, after Reform UK made a similar announcement in August.  However, its Strategic Defence Review, published in June, recommended that the Ministry of Defence “must maximise the use of its assets, including through site development”.

Responding to Caroline’s question, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said: “I’m happy meeting her to discuss the opportunities we can use the defence estate for, contributing to growth in every part of the country including her own.”

Caroline said afterwards: “The Minister did not reassure me with his answer. The Government is not denying that sites like Blockhouse could be used for asylum accommodation. 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.”