A VICTORIAN fort is set to go up for sale at auction with a guide price of £1.5m.

Fort Gilkicker in Gosport was completed in 1871 and the Grade II-listed building already has planning permission for 26 homes.

The site has been undeveloped for years - and has been a problem spot for anti-social behaviour.

There was previously controversy when large fences were put up restricting public access.

Now the fort - put to use in both world wars - is up for sale.

Rob Marchant, auctioneer, said: “The fort is situated at Stokes Bay in Gosport and is a magnificent relic of the Victorian era, built between 1863 and 1871.

“These forts were also known as Palmerston’s Follies, partly because some were built with the guns facing inland, but also because the French threat had diminished.

“Napoleon III's foreign policy became aligned with Britain’s so the threat of a French fleet attacking was unlikely.

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“Behind the curved building where the guns were situated is a two-storey barrack block originally occupied by the officers.

“Permission has been granted to convert the fort into an exclusive estate of 26 homes. There would be 22 in the former gun emplacements and four really big apartments in the barrack block.

“Changes would include removing the earth wall put up before the First World War, to open up some stunning views across the Solent.

“Having grown up locally the fort has always looked as it does now. It is a stunning opportunity for someone, a really exciting project.

“There is a beach at the front, a golf course at the back and amazing views.

“We have sold sea forts before but this is the first land-based one from this era that we’ve listed. It is unique.”

The fort is in a semi-circular arc designed to protect Spithead, a deep water anchorage point.

It has 22 case mates from where guns could be fired when it was used in the Victorian era.

Since the world wars it has been used as a plumbers' workshop, signalling station and storage units.

It was council-owned between 1986 and 1999 but has remain largely untouched since then.

The online auction takes place on July 28.