The oldest sea fort in the UK might be converted into a migrant hotel, despite the disapproval from Labour MPs regarding the comparable Bibby Stockholm barge, which was labeled as a ‘recipe for disaster’.

Fort Blockhouse, in Gosport, Hampshire, is reportedly being considered as a new accommodation site for asylum seekers.

The sea fort, which dates back to the 15th century, continues to be vacant after being put up for sale in 2016.

There had been aspirations for it to be developed into a multi-million pound project, but the Ministry of Defence [MoD] has been unable to sell it.

It is now believed that the site may soon provide housing for asylum seekers as the government evaluates former military housing blocks for use as accommodation instead of hotels.

Previously, the Labour party criticized the Conservatives over the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge, with an MP calling it a ‘recipe for disaster’.

Luke Pollard, Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry, stated that a planning team has been assembled to examine temporary solutions.

He said: ‘As every government department can contribute something to this effort, it’s right the MoD does so.’

Dame Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP for Gosport, mentioned during Defence Questions in the House of Commons: ‘First Reform and then the Government have proposed sites like Blockhouse be used for asylum accommodation.

‘Gosport deserves so much better.’

Mr Pollard replied: ‘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.’

Speaking outside Parliament afterwards, she said: ‘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.’  

The Bibby Stockholm barge was purchased by the UK Government under Rishi Sunak and was moored at Portland Port in Dorset, where it held hundreds of asylum seekers over two years in operation.

The barge was widely criticised by local campaigners as well as Labour MPs.

Speaking in 2023, former Labour MP LLoyd Russell-Moyle said: ‘We were told it wouldn’t be a floating prison, but you have people unable to freely come and go.

‘We were told that local residents would get support for the influx of people and they haven’t.

‘We were told that there would be educational activities on the barge for the people, there isn’t. So what we have is greatly disappointing.’

‘It isn’t even a prison lifestyle where you’re meant to have education, you’re meant to be doing activities, and there are going to be 500 people potentially doing that, it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Labour MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton was another vocal critic of the barge, which was moored in his constituency.

In his election campaign, he promised that Labour would get rid of the asylum accomodation.

Speaking of its closure last year, he said: ‘Following a constructive conversation with the Minister for Immigration, I can confirm that the Bibby Stockholm barge will be closed down when the contract expires in January.

‘In my meeting with the Minister, it was made clear that the Home Office now agrees that the barge is an unworkable, expensive & ineffective gimmick. I would like to thank the new Minister for being constructive and fair with this decision.

‘From the start, our community knew that the barge was a gimmick that simply would not work. This is why I have campaigned relentlessly to shut down the Bibby Stockholm barge. I will now spend every day making sure that the closure of the barge happens in an orderly fashion.

‘We must not forget that the previous Conservative Government landed our community with the barge. The previous Government & Tory MP failed to properly listen to our concerns from the get-go 

‘This is the difference a Labour MP working hand-in-hand with a Labour Government can make. I’m proud to represent South Dorset, and I will make sure we always have a voice at the top table.’ 

Fort Blockhouse is believed to be the UK’s oldest sea fort and has a rich history.

Work started on it in 1431, shortly after the area was burnt by the French during the Hundred Years’ War.

It served as one of the south coast’s largest forts until 1905 when it became the home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service.

The Submarine Service stayed at Blockhouse – then known as HMS Dolphin – until 1998 when the Navy’s submarines relocated to Faslane in Scotland.

Blockhouse remained in active military use as it became 33 Field Hospital.

2 Medical Regiment called the base home until 2016, when it was announced by the MoD that the site would be disposed of in 2020.

That date has since been extended twice.

Before it officially closed as a military establishment in December 2021, it held the record for the longest service active military base.