Leisure and tourism key for borough in new vision for 2050
‘Bold, exciting’ plan unveiled
WATERSPORTS, nightlife and more jobs for residents could all be on the horizon for Gosport.
That is the vision of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in a new report on how Gosport could be shaped by 2050.
In what has been described as a ‘bold and exciting’ plan, Solent LEP has mapped out how the town could respond to proposed site closures from the Ministry of Defence.
Under the proposals, sites such as Fort Blockhouse and Royal Clarence Yard could be transformed into tourism and leisure attractions.
The proposals are not legally binding, but excitement has built around the release of the report, which many believe offers a good direction for the town’s future.
In the report, Royal Clarence Yard is highlighted as a place to potentially build more maritime activities, with its deep water access.
John Gillard, principal of sailing charity Oarsome Chance, believes that Gosport must use its coastal location more effectively, if it hopes to create a better future.
‘There aren't many opportunities to take part in maritime activities – and even fewer that are accessible for people’ he said.
‘I don't think the coastline is being used enough, so to have more activities for people would be a plus.
‘Our competition rowing for children is always oversubscribed so it would be great for them to have more choices available.
‘I believe we’re in the perfect place to focus on sailing and it’s nice to have some sort of vision for the future.’
Further down the coastline, Fort Blockhouse is set to be disposed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) next year.
Meanwhile, HMS Sultan’s closure has been postponed to ‘no earlier than 2029’ – and has also been included in the LEP’s proposals.
Solent LEP believes Fort Blockhouse is an ideal location for new tourism and leisure facilities, with the Submarine Museum already in the area.
With HMS Sultan’s size, it is hoped that a mixture of business and housing could be put in its place, with a potential extension of the Alver Valley Country Park and a centre for marine and hospitality training. Have your say at portsmouth. co.uk or email letters@thenews.co.uk