REVEALED: Ambitious plans for Haslar Gunboat Yard development

Plans have been submitted to transform the Gunboat Yard in Haslar Road, Gosport, with the end goal of building new homes, an art gallery and a flood defence sea wall.

Gosport-based Starvale Developments purchased the site in 2014.

Since then, the company says it has been in ‘extensive discussions’ with the council, Historic England and conservationists.

In October last year, Haslar Gunboat Yard was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, which earmarks sites at risk of falling into disrepair.

But developers say that the scheme will prevent dereliction, with plans to sensitively convert the Victorian structure.

The development will include 17 new homes – 12 of which will be two-bedroom flats – as well as using the gunboat sheds to create an art gallery and cafe and the creation of a new public slipway.

Knight Architectural Design represents the developers, and says that the scheme will ‘breathe life’ into the area.

A spokeswoman said: ‘The team behind this scheme has worked on a large number of Gosport projects over the past eight years.

‘This has involved developments that have received awards for historic conversions and more than 100 homes have often been created from previously unloved spaces.

‘The Gunboat Yard is steeped in history but many local residents have been cut off from its past, so we aim to get the public right down into the heart of the proposal.

‘Not only are public spaces formed, but with the creation of employment spaces and homes we’ve welcomed the input from the community, the council and relevant national bodies.’

It is hoped that if the application is accepted by the council, construction will start before the summer.