Search for buyer to help preserve historic fort

Jeremy Lamb, director of Savills auctions team, said they are looking for a buyer who could help preserve the county's naval history

A buyer is being sought to help preserve a rare 19th Century military sea fort which is on the market for £50,000.

Fort Darnet, on the River Medway near Hoo, is listed as a scheduled monument.

Jeremy Lamb, director at Savills auctions team, said since the building went on the market there had been "a lot of interest" from potential buyers.

"We've been busy with enquiries, as this is a rare site and not many of them exist. It's a great opportunity to own a piece of history," Mr Lamb said.

Mr Lamb said the fort had been under the same ownership for 40 years and hoped the new owner could "bring the building back into use".

Fort Darnet was built in the 19th Century under the recommendation of the Royal Commission of Defence

He said there were opportunities for development and alternate uses for the site, subject to consent.

"Much of the original structure is still here. There are lots of creative opportunities, including recreational use," Mr Lamb said.

He added the fort may "increase in value" over time.

Fort Darnet was built from 1870 to 1872 for Naval Sea Defence and designed to create a "bottle neck" defence for the river.

It was constructed on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Defence with the aim of providing an inner line of resistance for the naval dockyard at Chatham.

Fort Darnet was built under the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Defence to further strengthen the defensive lines of Chatham's naval dockyard

The fort was built to hold a garrison of 100 men and was used for gunnery practice.

It then became an observation post in World War Two with platforms and pillboxes built on top.

Savills say the fort is still in reasonable condition. However, the lower level is flooded.

The island is only accessible by boat and was used for picnicking and leisure up until the 1980s.

It is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

The fort is scheduled to be auctioned on 9 and 10 December.