Maunsell Forts could be converted into luxury hotel

A luxury hotel could be developed within the Redsands military forts, built off the Kent coast during the Second World War.

The project, named the Maunsell, could also include restaurants, retail outlets, a spa and gym complex and a roof terrace bar.

A brochure demonstrating what the project is expected to look like has been produced by London creative firm Next Big Thing, in an attempt to attract developers. It describes the project as something which "redefines the concept of the luxury hotel".

The proposal includes seven individual satellite residences all connected by glass walkways to the central core. The project, likely to serve as a luxury getaway for millionaires, will only be accessible by boat or helicopter.

The idea for the project came from retired businessman David Cooper, who is behind Operation Redsand Forts and was inspired by the transformation of the Solent Sea Fort. He said: "It is now about one year since I was asked to find a way of preserving the Redsand Forts in the Thames Estuary, which are slowly deteriorating after 72 years of being battered by the elements.

"Thanks to the wonderful assistance of the Next Big Thing Creative, we now have a branding brochure to offer the world the amazing opportunity of preserving the Redsand Forts, through the development of the Maunsell hotel."

Cooper anticipates it will cost around £40m to develop the site but is confident developers will make a good return on their investment. The forts no longer belong to anyone but consent will be needed from the Crown Estate, which owns the seabed they are on.

Cooper said the Crown Estate has provisionally approved the proposals providing a suitable developer can be found to deliver a scheme sustainable for 100 years. "There has been a huge amount of interest but no one has agreed to take on the development just yet. I need to find the right person to take the project forward but everything else is in place."

The forts were decommissioned by the Ministry of Defence in 1956.

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