A large area of Gosport’s historic Royal Clarence Yard has been put on the market by the UK’s Ministry of Defence for potential use as a major new employment hub for the marine industry.

The 5.7-acre site has full deep-water access to Portsmouth Harbour making it ideally suitable for commercial marine activity.

“This rare opportunity forms the next chapter in the story of Royal Clarence Yard which has, over the last 10 years, transformed from its original use as a Royal Naval victualling yard into a successful mix of residential, light industry, office and leisure uses,” says Guy Jackson, associate director of property specialists Lambert Smith Hampton which is acting as sole agent on behalf the MoD’s estate arm, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

“The prestigious, historic nature of the site and access to the harbour make Royal Clarence Yard very attractive for marine use – and the sale will bring huge employment and economic benefits to Gosport while preserving its historic status and underlining the area’s rich marine heritage.

“We are expecting very high levels of interest in the site.”

The site lies within the Royal Clarence Yard Conservation Area, which includes the remains of a railway station once used by Queen Victoria, whose Royal yacht would be berthed on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour, to take her from Gosport over to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. There is potential to relocate this and re-use it as a reception or café/restaurant.

It also includes a number of listed structures including former tank stores and a steam fire engine house.

Developers interested in submitting proposals for site are required to maximise marine employment opportunities and to retain, renovate and protect the listed buildings.