Plans to transform Gosport’s derelict historic waterfront have been submitted to the council. 

The 150-year-old Rum Store in Victoria Quay is part of the waterfront renovation project that has received money from the government’s levelling up fund. 

In a listed building consent application, Ben Mason, of UK Docks Marine Services, has proposed partial demolition to the roof and first floor with repairs and improvements to the 7,000 square metre Rum Store site to prepare the building for its next design stage. 

Gosport Borough Council previously said the redevelopment will provide almost 7,000 sqm of commercial mixed-use space. The levelling up money from the UK Government will be used to create better walking routes between the town centre and the waterfront and increase footfall connecting the new route to Gosport’s historic fortifications.

The proposal includes removing the parapet from the two-storey section of the building, installing a slate roof, repointing external walls and patch repointing internal walls and replacing four windows and undertaking repairs to the remaining windows.

Work will also include raising seven internal lintels and doors by 150 mm along the first floor, removing all post-war rainwater goods serving the flat roof and removing internal downpipes found within the central area, and removing mechanical and electrical services. 

UK Docks is using £11m to help bring back to life the grade II-listed building . It was at the heart of the Royal Navy supply chain during Victorian times when sailors were given ‘rum rations’ during their service in what was the biggest fleet in the world.

Planning documents said: “The significance of the Rum Store derives from its setting within the Royal Clarence Yard. It forms an important part of the history of the Royal Navy, as part of one of only two purpose-built victualling yards, in use for over 150 years, the building forms important historical evidence.”

The south-east corner of Royal Clarence Yard was retained by the Ministry of Defence until 2018 when it was released to help revitalise the area by allowing development along Gosport’s waterfront.

Pritchard Architecture’s design and planning statement said the building had been left derelict for 30 years.

Since its closure much of the site has been developed into a mixture of uses through a combination of new build schemes and the careful repair, conservation and re-use of many heritage assets.

A decision by planning chiefs is due by November 8.