The Culture, Media and Sport Committee, chaired by Dame Caroline, will scrutinise the significance of the UK’s built heritage and the obstacles hindering its preservation.
This includes examining funding issues and the suitability of current financial models.
The inquiry will also address how the government can tackle challenges like the managed decline of assets on publicly-owned land, such as MoD property, and policy issues arising from net zero targets and planning policy.
In Gosport, around 250 buildings and sites are on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).
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Gosport has around 250 sites on the National Heritage List (Image: Office of Dame Caroline Dinenage)These include listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens and battlefields.
Some sites, like Fort Rowner, Fort Blockhouse and Fort Grange, part of the Victorian Palmerston Forts network, are only partially used on MoD estate.
The Blockhouse site, which houses the UK’s oldest fortification, is set for disposal in 2025.
Dame Caroline has repeatedly highlighted the potential of Fort Blockhouse in the House of Commons.
In April, she expressed frustration at the slow progress at the site, stating: “The site has huge economic and regeneration potential for our community and the [Defence Infrastructure Organisation] DIO must move forward swiftly on their plans to deliver it.”
She has also been a strong advocate for the regeneration of Fort Gilkicker, where 26 luxury homes are being built.
However, she has voiced frustration at the obstacles imposed on regeneration projects, saying: “These organisations are quick to impose punitive conditions on a project to breathe new life into listed buildings, but are suspiciously silent all the time they sit abandoned, rotting into the ground.”
The Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee is now seeking evidence from the public to answer questions in the inquiry’s call for evidence.
Dame Caroline said: “This inquiry will shine a light on the huge benefits historic sites bring and see what more can be done to break down the barriers to their preservation and ensure they can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.”
