Update 9 October 2020: Permission has been granted by GBC for the demolition for four modern era buildings to be demolished (subject to conditions). Building 49 (which contains the remains of Queen Victoria's Railway Station) was removed from the application following a number of objections. The Planning Decision notice and the Planning Officer's report can be viewed on the GBC Planning Portal (ref 20/00299/FULL)
Update 18 September: GBC Planning Department has advised "...the proposals to demolish building 49 (former station) have been removed from the application." Details and amended plans can be viewed on the GBC Planning portal (ref: 20/00299/FULL).
Remains of the Royal Waiting Room (c) David Verghese 2020 reproduced with permission
The new owners of the southern part of Royal Clarence Yard, which was previously retained by the MOD, have submitted an application to Gosport Borough Council to demolish 5 buildings as part of the clearance of the site. One of the buildings includes the remains of Queen Victoria's own railway station, which she used when travelling to her house at Osborne on the Isle of Wight.
A lavish waiting room (later demolished) was provided for Queen Victoria at the station. When she died, her remains were transported from Osborne back to Royal Clarence Yard. The Queen's last journey from here back to London was a notable occasion, watched by crowds of people.
The station was also used by the Royal Navy moving goods and provisions, notably meat and coal) to and from the Royal Naval Victualling Yard until the branch line to Gosport closed.
Very little of the former Royal Railway station remains on site, but some elements are understood have previously been preserved and stored at Fort Brockhurst. The little station has a lot of national & local historical significance. If restored, it could be a fascinating visitor attraction for RCY and Gosport.
Remnants of the rail tracks still exist and the short tunnel through the Ramparts, which connected the Royal Station at RCY to Gosport Station to the East can still be clearly seen from Weevil Lane.
The planning application includes a proposal that the remains of the Royal railway station be recorded, carefully demolished and stored safely until a new location for its restoration can be identified on site.
More information on the current planning application can be found at the GBC Planning portal (ref: 20/00299/FULL). Deadline for comments in the public consultation is Thurs 17th September.
UK Docks Royal Clarence Yard Ltd has helpfully provided some details of their proposed timeline for works on their September 2020 Newsletter (link below).
More information on the current works (and photos) at the Victoria Quay page on LinkedIn.
More information about Queen Victoria's connection with Royal Clarence Yard:
Gosport Clarence Yard (Royal Victoria Station) (Disused Stations website)
The Week When Gosport Was Global News (RCMRA website)
You are not putting a Hole in My Wall by Peter J. Keat (A Gosport Railway Society Publication)
Feeding the Forces: The History of Royal Clarence Yard 1827-1992 (The Gosport Society)
Branch Lines Around Gosport by Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith (Middleton Press)
