Specialist repairs to the grade II chapel at a country park near Southampton are set to take place after an independent expert confirmed serious concerns about the building.

Hampshire County Council is set to approve the expenditure of £1 million to protect and repair the grade II-listed chapel tower at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley.

The chapel was formerly an integral and central feature of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, which opened in 1863.

Located close to the shore of the northeastern bank of Southampton Water, the main hospital was closed in 1958 and then subsequently largely demolished in 1966, leaving only the chapel standing.

The demolition in 1966 left the southwest face of the tower exposed to weather conditions.

The county council said that the lower tower is now suffering from new and increasing cracking to its brickwork structure, both internally and externally.

The external surface of the brickwork is deteriorating, with small fragments detaching.

Specialist structural investigation and assessment by an independent expert has confirmed that the structural issues in the Chapel Tower are a serious concern and require specialist repair and strengthening, together with other remedial work, as soon as “reasonably practicable”.

The proposals will provide temporary protection for the brick masonry of the tower and enable its specialist structural repair.

Scaffolding will be erected to the full height of the brick masonry of the tower with a temporary protective sheeting in place for up to 18 months to enable the structure to dry out.

Specialist stainless steel structural ties and pattress plates to corner piers and at floor levels will also be installed.

It is expected that as a result of the temporary closure, the revenue income of the park will be impacted by approximately £35,000, which will be met from the country parks budget.

The cabinet member for universal services will make the final approval on March 3.