Bincleaves groyne and the north-eastern breakwater

Two breakwaters, known as Bincleaves groyne and the north-eastern breakwater, enclosing Portland Harbour. Built between 1893 and 1906. C20 alterations and additions. All post-1945 building, structures and plant added to the structures are excluded from the listing.

MATERIALS: constructed of large blocks of Portland stone, with granite facings to the circular pierheads.

PLAN: two sections of breakwater, each approximately 1.3km long and separated by the north ship channel. Each of the three pierheads is circular, and has a diameter of approximately 30m.

DESCRIPTION: the battered seaward side of each breakwater is of large bolstered stone blocks. The inner face of the elevated road is faced with coursed blocks of Portland stone, and the lower road is bordered by piles of large Portland stone blocks. Each of the circular pierheads has a stone staircase on its inner face, and bollards and winches associated with the boom. Halfway along the length of each breakwater is a landing stage.

Features of note on the NORTH-EASTERN BREAKWATER include the lighthouse, a 22m cast-iron structure comprising a skeletal, hexagonal frame around a central cylinder with a domed lantern by Chance Brothers & Co., and the concrete circular gun platform and holdfast of a rare First World War 3-inch 20cwt anti-aircraft gun, with four ammunition lockers.

Features of note on BINCLEAVES GROYNE include the early C20 coastal battery and the long and short range torpedo firing ranges. The early C20 building associated with the short range torpedo pier has been clad in corrugated iron and is substantially altered.

Both breakwaters retain First and Second World War observation posts and searchlights of concrete and brick, and 29mm spigot mortar gun emplacements.

Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) it is declared that all post-1945 buildings, structures and plant added to Bincleaves groyne and the north-eastern breakwater are not of special architectural or historic interest.