LAUNCESTON Town Council has unveiled proposals to bring defective parts of the historic town hall up to scratch.

It has submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council seeking its permission for the works, which according to a supporting document detailing the cost of the materials, will cost at least £16,173.33.

The project being proposed would see the replacement of rainwater goods and associated building fabric repairs.

This would include the removal of the modern felt roof at a redundant stair enclosure, leadwork repairs and adjustment to roof areas to enable better drainage and access for maintenance as well as isolated stonework repairs, the removal of defective housing to a vent in the kitchen and replacement with a fire resistant and water proof enclosure.

Documents submitted to Cornwall Council as part of the application seeking permission for the required works laid bare the necessity of the works being required to the historic building, which has so often been at the centre of community life in the town.

It was stated that the works were essential to maintain the integrity of the building.

In the application, the chartered building surveyors for the council stated: “The set of buildings has a complex configuration of roofing, with main pitched roofs being of natural slate, divided by lead flat roofs, rear felt covered low-level roofs, and a modern glazed entrance lobby in the central courtyard space.

“This new entrance to facilitate better public access was constructed in 2009/2010, with complementary internal improvements and following significant repairs to the pitched roof areas.”

The chartered surveyors also detailed the works that would be required as a matter of urgency, with a constrained budget necessitating what would comprise the first phase of a series of works.

The report continued: “During these works circa 2008-2010, leadwork repairs were addressed at roof level and rainwater goods overhauled. A condition review of the premises by others during 2024 has been recently reviewed and priorities evaluated, to enable the owners to prepare for budgetary controlled phase one urgent works.

“This evaluation has resulted in a limited scope of works to address defective rainwater goods which demonstrate inadequate capacity to cope with heavy rainfall. Leaking joints, failing gutters, corroding fixings and decaying timbers are now evident.

“The general principle of the proposed alterations is the essential replacement of damaged and decayed fabric to retain the integrity of the building. This urgent work includes replacement elements where these rainwater goods are beyond repair and improvements to performance, appearance, and durability to be provided by integrating larger sized guttering where appropriate.

“The failure of the existing rainwater goods in heavy rainfall has led to water ingress in the kitchen area and staining to the new glazed entrance roof. This glazed area prevents the installation of additional downpipes in this location, which would have been beneficial given the long run of guttering for the large and steep main Hall roof above this.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The full proposals, which are under consideration by Cornwall Council can be viewed on the planning portal using reference PA26/05146.