Gosport car park sold to Home Office for immigration centre ‘will fund regeneration project’ on town's waterfront
A car park that was sold for an undisclosed sum by Gosport Borough Council will be used to fund a regeneration project, the local authority has said.
Councillors agreed to sell the space at Fort Road in Gosport to the Home Office in a closed meeting on March 23.
The car park, which sits between Haslar Immigration Removal Centre and Fort Monckton, will be used as part of the immigration centre by the Home Office.
The price of the sale has not been confirmed by Gosport Borough Council, but the authority said the money will fund the regeneration of Gosport’s waterfront.
The move was previously branded as a “disappointing cash-grab” by opposition Conservative councillor Lesley Meenaghan.
A spokesperson from the council said the land was sold as the car park makes no money for the council.
The spokesperson said: “The terms of the transaction remain confidential at this time, but will be shared following completion of the sale. A freehold disposal has been negotiated with a prospective purchaser that will continue to use the land for its current use as a car park.
“A price has been agreed that can be used to support the council’s capital programme for priority projects such as the Gosport waterfront regeneration. The council will be granted a 125-year lease on a section of the site at no rent.”
At least 20 car park spaces will remain for public use, and access to the King Charles III Coast Path will remain unaffected.
The council wants to turn the waterfront into a “vibrant and accessible” public space and is currently looking at improving pathways and art installations.
Work is also underway to renovate a Grade-II listed building in Royal Clarence Yard as part of the improvement works.