An influential group of MPs led by Dame Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, has launched an inquiry into the maintenance and protection of national heritage assets, including those owned by the Ministry of Defence.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Chaired by Dame Caroline, will examine the importance of built heritage in the UK and the barriers to its preservation. The inquiry’s scope includes issues with funding and whether current finance models are suitable and accessible. It will also engage with how the Government can tackle challenges such as the managed decline of assets on publicly-owned land, like that owned by the Ministry of Defence, and policy issues arising from net zero targets and planning policy.
There are around 250 buildings and sites in the Gosport constituency on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), a register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England - listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens, and battlefields.
Meanwhile, sites like Fort Rowner, Fort Blockhouse, and Fort Grange – part of the Victorian Palmerston Forts network - sit only partially used on Ministry of Defence estate. The Blockhouse site, which houses the UK’s oldest fortification, has been marked for disposal in 2025.
These assets hold great economic and social potential. Fort Brockhurst, which is owned by English Heritage, is already host to a Summer festival as well as events by Gosport Heritage Open Days.
Caroline has emphasised the potential of Fort Blockhouse in the House of Commons Chamber on many occasions. Most recently, she vented her frustration with the slow progress at the site, saying in April that “The site has huge economic and regeneration potential for our community and the [Defence Infrastructure Organisation] DIO must move forward swiftly on their plans to deliver it.” Gosport Borough Council have recognised the housing and employment space potential of the site.
Caroline has also been a strong advocate for the regeneration of Fort Gilkicker which she visited in September 2024 in order to see the progress being made at the site, where 26 luxury homes are being built. However, she expressed frustration at the significant obstacles which various bodies impose on regeneration saying “these organisations are quick to impose punitive conditions on a project to breathe new life into listed buildings, but are suspiciously silent all the time they sit abandoned, rotting into the ground”.
Now the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee, which has responsibility for scrutinising the work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its associated public bodies, is seeking evidence from anyone who wishes to answer the questions put to the public in the inquiry’s call for evidence.
Launching the inquiry, Caroline said:
“Historic buildings are the centrepiece of many communities across the country, and contribute hugely to the vibrancy of an area. Sadly our built heritage faces a range of threats, not just financial, but also from the burdensome restrictions which make their restoration and upkeep so costly and bureaucratic.
“The perilous state of old buildings on military property is illustrative of what can happen when historic assets on public land are subject to managed decline.
“This inquiry will shine a light on the huge benefits historic sites bring and see what more can be done to break down the barriers to their preservation and ensure they can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.”
ENDS
For more information contact [email protected]
You can read the call for evidence here: https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3515/.
You can receive updates on the Committee’s inquiry here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8742/protecting-built-heritage/.
