Concerns raised over troubles at former Portsmouth museum that nearly caught fire
Reports have been made of trespassing and anti-social behaviour with a family even said to have been living at the site
Concerns have been raised over how a former museum has fallen into disrepair amid fears about anti-social behaviour and trespassing after a fire at the site.
Firefighters from Southsea were called to the fire that started in the derelict barracks by Eastney Esplanade shortly before 4.45pm on Saturday.
The site, which has been dormant since 2017 when the museum closed, has become a contentious issue for locals amid reports of trespassing and anti-social behaviour.
Plans by the building’s owner Grand Hotel Excelsior International Limited to redevelop the former museum into a luxury hotel have been delayed – because they need approval from the Secretary of State for Defence.
Meanwhile, issues continue to engulf the listed building. A visit to the location by Gosport influencer The Bearded Explorer around three months ago even found evidence of a family living there. “Whoever’s living here is wanting to be left alone,” he said on his Youtube Channel of the “weird” discovery.
He also found a large leak, computer equipment still turned on and widespread deterioration of the building. “Places like this should not be allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. It makes no sense why people let this happen,” he said in the video.
The fire led to around 20m x 5m of grass and shrubland being extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using multiple hose reel jets. A stop message was received at 6pm before fire crews were called back to the scene after further outbreaks.
A fire service spokesperson previously said: “A crew returned to the scene at 8.50pm for a re-inspection and found three small deep-seated fires. After they were extinguished, thermal imaging camera checks were carried out, which confirmed there were no further signs of fire.”
The incident led to concerns in the area with one local saying “plumes of black smoke got quite high in the sky” before adding: “Could you imagine if the Royal Marines Museum had gone up?”
The cause of the fire is unknown with the fire spokesperson now saying: “Police were informed of the incident at 4.50pm (On Saturday) but did not attend. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is not carrying out an investigation.
“As a result, we're unable to confirm whether the fire was started deliberately or comment on any reports of anti-social behaviour.”
A police spokesperson said: “The incident is not being treated as arson.”
Resident Penny Reid said there had been “vandalism and general dilapidation of the property” in recent years: “There seems to be no interest in helping to preserve this historic asset by protecting it from trespassers, both human and animals, and showing concern for neighbouring properties and people,” she said.
“One has to ask what responsibilities the owner has to preserve a Grade 2 Listed Building and land containing several ancient monuments. Since buying the estate in November 2020, the current owner made attempts to gain permission to convert it into a hotel but has since put it back on the market.
“Recent interest in converting it into residential flats has waned as prospective buyers have baulked at the work necessary to undertake any redevelopment.
“As the article suggests, is someone waiting for it to catch fire – either accidentally or deliberately? Surely, there is no point in listing buildings and monuments if the Local Planning Authority is unwilling to exercise whatever powers it has to protect them.”
Plans to convert the former Royal Marine Barracks on Eastney Esplanade into a luxury hotel were approved by Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee in May last year.
The planning permission was subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement, under which developers agree to contribute towards infrastructure or community improvements.
However, more than a year later, the council has yet to publish a decision notice, which formally grants planning permission.
A council spokesperson said: “The delay is due to the Section 106 agreement still being completed, as approval is required from the Secretary of State for Defence and this has taken longer than anticipated.
“There is no indication that the applicant does not intend to proceed with the development. The outstanding approval is the only matter holding up completion of the agreement and the issuing of the decision notice.”
The council confirmed the site is on land owned by the Ministry of Defence and therefore requires agreement from the Secretary of State for Defence.
If all goes to plan, the hotel will be operated by Grand Hotel Excelsior International Limited.
The building’s exterior would remain untouched, while internal alterations would create hotel rooms, a function hall, dining areas and lounges.
Other buildings on the site would be converted into a gym, treatment rooms and a swimming pool.
The museum building is around 150 years old, but the former museum at Eastney Barracks closed in 2017 following its “irreversible deterioration”.
The development includes 118 car parking spaces, 10 of them with EV charging points, and nine spaces for motorcycles, with additional parking located near the building’s western entrance.
The site was sold to the hotel company in 2020 for £4.5m, when it was announced that the Yomper, the statue of a Royal Marine commemorating the Falklands War, would remain in place.