Well, having fixed the roof over the Victoria Art Gallery, it seems B&NES is applying to give itself planning permission to erect some temporary scaffolding at points along the Guildhall facade – which includes the Covered Market – for a roof inspection.
The application says: ‘BANES, as landlord of the property, are seeking to fix small areas of scaffold to the courtyard, street and market elevations of the Guildhall, for the investigation for urgent repair works required.’
Elsewhere in the formal application, it says:
‘Scaffolding is required to be erected to enable the maintenance and repair works
required both on the facade and roof.
The scaffold itself will be temporary and will be designed around the ornate/ historic features of the facade.
The holes made will be carefully placed within the existing masonry. Efforts will be made to re-use existing holes where possible.’
The buildings and their setting are protected by multiple designations. The Guildhall is Grade I listed, and the Market is Grade II listed.
Obviously, until the specialists have made their inspection the full scale of repairs needed won’t be known.
It’s tough luck to be landlords of buildings that – although appreciated for their architecture and social history – are basically getting on a bit!
