Work is proposed to save the Grade II listed Newtown Old Town Hall which has suffered significant movement in the last few years.
An application from the National Trust, to the Isle of Wight Council, is seeking to strengthen and stabilise the structure of the historic building through five phases of work.
Built around 1699
A town hall has existed on the site since the 13th century, but the one we see today was mainly built around 1699 from brick and stone with 18th century alterations made to it.
Now the hall is open as a visitor attraction but it used to be an official building for the town when it was represented by two Members of Parliament.
Ferguson’s Gang
After losing its right to have elected members the town hall was left to ruin until it was saved in 1933 by the mysterious Ferguson’s Gang (read more about them on IW Hidden Heroes Website) — a group of young women, who wore masks and used fake names, whose aim was to preserve examples of ‘traditional England.’
The building was then given to the National Trust.
Significant movement
More recently the National Trust say the significant movement of the Old Town Hall is largely attributed to the physical nature of the subsoil.
It is most evident, it says, in the northeast corner where open cracking is visible internally and externally.
There have also been some internal ceiling collapses that require attention.
Work outweighs the limited harm
It says the proposals are considered to cause less than substantial harm to the heritage asset and the public benefit of retaining and stabilising the Old Town Hall in a structurally sound condition outweighs the limited harm.
The five phases include anchors drilled into bricks, installing an internal steel brace to prop up the chimney stack and underpinning at the northern end of the building.
The trust hopes the work will ensure future movement is reduced and therefore lessens the risk of further damage, or ultimately collapse, of the important historical property.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/00598/LBC, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 16th May.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
