"Vital conservation work" as £2.1m project gets underway to repair historic Portsmouth forts

A major conservation programme has begun at Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley, helping to safeguard two of Portsmouth’s historic Victorian forts for future generations.

The £2.1 million project focuses on the repair and conservation of the historic ramparts at both Grade II* listed forts with two points of collapse at Purbrook and one at Widley which are being restored. It will also see the restoration of chalk grassland from damaging scrub, creating nature-rich areas for the public to enjoy.

The work is being carried out by the Peter Ashley Activity Centres Trust with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through the Countryside Stewardship scheme, administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) with expert guidance from Historic England.

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Darren Bridgman, chief executive of the Peter Ashley Activity Centres Trust, said: “These historic forts are not only nationally important heritage sites, but they are also the home of our charity and a place where thousands of young people come each year to take part in outdoor activities, residential and educational programmes.

“This investment will allow us to carry out vital conservation work to protect the forts for future generations while continuing to provide opportunities for young people and our local community.”

Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley form part of a chain of forts known as the Portsdown Forts that were built at the direction of Lord Palmerston to defend Portsmouth’s Naval Base in the event of a landward attack - later to be dubbed ‘Palmerston’s Follies’ as they were considered outdated or unnecessary by the time they were completed.

They are protected as scheduled monuments, the highest level of heritage protection, due to their significance, but both are on Historic England’s ‘at risk register’ with both in what it describes as a ‘poor’ condition and are in slow decay; with no solution agreed as to how to preserve them.

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Today the sites are home to the Peter Ashley Activity Centres, a youth charity that uses the forts to provide outdoor education, residential, equestrian opportunities and community programmes for young people and families across the region.

The conservation programme will be delivered over the coming year, with works already underway.

Nature minister Mary Creagh said: “These historic forts are a vital part of our national story, and it’s fantastic to see them being preserved in a way that also supports young people and local communities.

“This project will carry out vital conservation work and will also restore nature-rich habitats and expand opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors.

“By investing in projects like this alongside sustainable food production, we are ensuring our landscapes continue to inspire, educate and benefit communities for generations to come.”

The project is being delivered with the support and specialist advice of Historic England which welcomed the investment.

Tom Foxall, Regional Director, Historic England, said: “This investment is hugely welcome and builds on many years of support and targeted funding from Historic England to the Peter Ashley Activity Centre for their work to keep the Forts in use and improve their condition.

“The centre provides life-enhancing activities and opportunities for young people in a unique setting, and we look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength.”