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Naval Base and Defence Interests

Portsmouth Naval Base

Portsmouth Harbour forms a tidal basin of approximately 1,537 hectares (3,800 acres) and has a shoreline of 33 miles. It is a large, almost land locked lake at high water, but at low water about 60% is exposed as mud flats. It is bounded to the east by Portsea Island, to the north by Portchester and Fareham and to the west by the Gosport peninsula. The majority of the mud flats is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Specially Protected Area (SPA) and a RAMSAR Site.

Portsmouth is the traditional home of the Royal Navy and is the base port for the majority of the navy’s surface warships including all the capital ships. The Naval Base houses the headquarters of the Naval Home Command and is the major naval stores distribution centre in the U.K. Military activity is well established around the harbour and includes the maintenance of ships in the Naval Base, the maintenance of helicopters at Fle etlands, fuelling operations at Clarence Yard, ordnance storage and distribution at the Gosport Armament Depot, the Defence Research Agency, tri-service military school and waterfront facilities at HMS DOLPHIN, diving and firefighting school at Horsea, a firing range at Tipner and a training establishment at HMS EXCELLENT on Whale Island which also accommodates the Headquarters of the Royal Marines.

Portsmouth Harbour also houses the UK’s second busiest ferry port after Dover. Commercial business (freight, passenger traffic and cargo) is thriving and expanding. Other commercial uses include public transport, the landing of marine aggregates and fishing. The harbour is also an important recreational centre, with berths or moorings for 4,500 craft. Portsmouth Harbour is unique in that no other port in the U.K. can boast such a diverse mix of military, commercial and recreational activity. There is likely to be increases in all these areas of activity in the foreseeable future.

The Dockyard Ports Regulation Act of 1865 vests in the Royal Navy extensive powers of control and management of the Harbour in the person of the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) who is the Harbour Authority. He is responsible for the movement control of all shipping within the Dockyard Port (which includes Portsmouth Harbour and extends east to Langstone Harbour, south to Nab Tower and west to Hillhead) and the provision of navigational aids and maintenance dredging. His authority is directed towards the freedom and safety of navigation whilst ensuring that the interests of the Ministry of Defence are properly protected.

The QHM maintains a shipping control service for Portsmouth Harbour, and liaises closely with Associated British Ports (ABP) in Southampton to ensure a safe service within his area of jurisdiction. These two authorities maintain radar coverage of the Eastern and Central Solent. The QHM also controls all moorings within his area by the issue of licences, the movement of recreational craft and fishing vessels, and recreational activity (such as water skiing, board sailing and scuba diving.

The Royal Navy maintains the Harbour channels, buoyage and navigational lights and aids and the Harbour Control facility as a charge on the Defence Budget. Although the naval movements are relatively small in number in comparison to the numbers of commercial and recreational movements, the needs of the Royal Navy are on occasions paramount in the national interest. It is fully recognised that other users enjoy rights of navigation and there is close and frequent liaison between all authorities involved in harbour business to identify potential problems and seek realistic solutions. The Royal Navy is also an active partner with the local authorities in promoting the unique maritime heritage of the area as a major tourist attraction.

The QHM is a co-sponsor of the Solent Maritime Emergency Plan (SOLFIRE), with ABP and the Coastguard. Together they are responsible, with the local authorities and the emergency services, for the planning, co-ordination and control of any major incident in the Solent.

The Ministry of Defence directly employs 8,900 military personnel and 5,000 civilian personnel in establishments bordering the harbour or concerned with harbour related business. Additionally there are 6,500 service personnel employed in Portsmouth base ported ships. The Naval Base, together with these other organisations, is of national importance in terms of defence of the realm, and is vital to the economy and well-being of the area.

Marchwood Military Port

Role

Marchwood Military Port (MMP) is situated on 289 acres of land on the western side of Southampton Water, opposite Southampton Docks. The port is operated by 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC whose role is to load and discharge service or civilian shipping in support of military administration, exercises and operations world wide.

The site is the sole military port in U.K. and provides the training ground for Army port and maritime personnel. It is the home port for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Landing Ship Logistic (LSL) and army vessels run by the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC). In addition, HQ Solent Station and 17 Port and Maritime Regt Wksp REME are based there.

Scope Of Activity

The port consists of three main jetties. The largest is 220m long and 33m wide and is capable of accepting vessels up to 16,000 tonnes. It has a sophisticated Ro/Ro facility capable of handling vessels with various ramp configurations, and the jetty also has two 35-tonne rail mounted cranes and railway access. The second jetty, built during World War II, is 190m long, has rail access and is capable of accepting vessels of up to 8k tonnes with limited Ro/Ro facilities. Finally there is a subsidiary jetty of 117m that is used to berth military landing craft and smaller vessels.

Of major importance is the ports ammunition and explosives handling capability. The Directorate of Land Service Ammunition (DLSA) has granted the port a licence to handle ammunition/explosive on the main jetty. Typically the port will handle 100k tonnes of military material a year.

Importance to Region

The port at Marchwood is a strategic asset developed and modernised to service most U.K. military requirements. As a regional asset MMP is included in the Solent Area emergency contingency plan (SOLFIRE).

Approximately 150 civilian and 600 military personnel are employed at the port, making it one of the major employers in the local area.

Excellent ties have been forged with the local community during the 50 years the site has been occupied by the military. Formal civic links have been made with an Affiliation to the New Forest District Council.

MOD Property - Disposal Sites, Portsmouth Harbour

1.Gunwharf

This site is due to close on 31 March 1996. The Department is negotiating a planning brief with Portsmouth City Council which will incorporate the Millennium requirements for this site. Once the planning brief has been finalised it is anticipated that the site will be marketed at the beginning of 1996.

2.St George Barracks and RCY Gosport

Neither of these sites have been officially handed to Defence Lands Service (S) Portsmouth for disposal. Consultants are being appointed to deal with the planning and marketing of St George Barracks North and if Royal Clarence Yard is subsequently released this site will also be included in the planning brief. Disposal of either or both sites is not anticipated before 1997.

3.Priddy’s Hard

Currently with DLS for disposal and is currently subject to an environmental impact study which is being completed and will be subject to Gosport Borough Council approval. Marketing of this site for residential development can proceed once Gosport Borough Council approval is given.

4.Stamshaw Parade (ex Phoenix site), Matapan Road

Site currently in disposal and to be marketed by Chestertons commencing mid-September 1995 with anticipated completion January 1996.

Source: Towards Strategic Guidance for the Solent, March 1996

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