Heritage Statement - Historic Baseline Report Appendix .1 - Gosport ...

HMS Daedalus Historic Site Baseline Report
Historic Background
One of three steel-framed Admiralty J type hangars built in 1918. The three (Buildings 31, 35 and 37) along with
two Type G Hangars (Buildings 39 and 40) survive from the first phase of military use of the Lee-on-Solent Naval
Seaplane Training School which was commissioned in 1917.
Type J Hangar: MT Hangar Bdg No. 35
It is possible that this is one of the hangars that suffered bomb damage during WWII. A plan of the site dated 1941
(NA WORK 41/297) shows only the north-western part of this hangar standing.
Description
Steel framework and roof trusses, corrugated steel cladding and roof covering, replacing original asbestos-cement.
Steelwork by Frodingham Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. End-opening coupled hangars, each shed of 14.6m (48’) span and
in 5 bays, each of 3.6m (12’). On the north-east facing elevation; two gables above full-height pairs of sliding doors,
giving maximum half-width opening. A rooflight runs either side of the length of each ridge.
Condition: Fair
Assessment of Significance: High
This building has been identified as a part of a group buildings of national importance and has been recommended
for inclusion on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historic Interest follwing a review of military
aviation sites in England by English Heritage.
This hangar forms one of a group of five steel-framed hangars built in 1918 that stand in their original location.
They survive as the most complete seaplane base in Britain and this is just one of eight sites in Britain (out of 301 in
November 1918) which have retained groups of hangars representative of the period up to 1923. Although it appears
from historic map evidence that the south-west half of the hangar is a replacement, it is a J Type hangar structure and
so it is considered that the significance of the building is little altered.
The hangars are fundamental in defining the character and appearance of this part of the conservation area and make
an important contribution towards the local distinctiveness of this part of Lee-on-Solent. Building 35 is a landmark
building on Marine Parade.
Sensitivty: Medium
Although nationally important, this building has medium sensitivity – the steel frame being the most important part
of the historic fabric. New uses do not necessarily need to retain the full height spatial qualities of the existing
structures but should have a very limited impact on the external envelope. Reinstatement of historic fenestration
patterns are desirable and may be appropriate in certain circumstances.
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