Town Hall wall in danger of collapse

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are being asked to approve the partial demolition of a boundary wall at the historic Grade 1 Listed Town Hall.
The curved wall is attached to the Town Hall on its western flank and forms part of the enclosure to the west annexe courtyard.
It is currently propped up to avoid collapse.
The wall is believed to have been built at the same time as the Town Hall itself, which means it is about 250 years old.
A structural survey has revealed it has a significant lean in its mid-section, extending to about 10 metres in length. There is evidence of lime mortar which is of extremely low strength, but although there is weathering of brick facings there are no major cracks and no movement joints.
The report recommends the affected middle section should be carefully taken down and all materials set aside for re-use.
Historic England has no objection to the scheme, subject to the works being carried out on a like-for-like basis
Officers will recommend the work be given the go ahead at a meeting of the borough council’s development management committee on Wednesday.