Last updated at 08:42, Friday, 17 December 2010
A COCKERMOUTH art gallery that was devastated during last year’s November floods will not reopen for Christmas after Allerdale council took a dislike to the type of plaster being used to refurbish it.
Percy House Gallery, in Market Place, one of the town’s oldest buildings, was due to reopen on December 6 but restoration work was halted on November 19 – the anniversary of the floods.
The ground floor, which dates back to 1390, has been dried out over 10 months to protect a ceiling which has been in place since 1598, and contractor Roland Hill started restoration work in mid October.
Viv Austin, who co-owns the gallery with Karen Cottier, said: “The owner of the building confirmed with Allerdale council and English Heritage by letter of the repair work that was to be undertaken.
“Allerdale raised no objections to the proposals to re-plaster the ground-floor walls, which were ruined by flood water.
“Similar plaster has been used on many grade-two listed buildings.”
“We have done exactly what the council said at earlier meetings.”
But on November 19 the gallery was visited by an Allerdale council conservation officer who told the pair she felt the plaster being used could damage the building.
She served a notice for work on the building to stop until the matter was resolved with the council.
Mrs Austin, who was rescued by boat from the floods after she waded through water saving the gallery’s paintings, said the delayed reopning was a terrible blow that had left her and Mrs Cottier devastated.
She added: “The gallery hosts many local artists who have lost the opportunity to sell their work at the busiest time of year.
“Percy House had been closed and unused for more than a decade before we brought it back to life in 2002.
“We feel if the building is left empty and unheated it will again be at risk.”
An Allerdale council spokesman said: “Percy House is a Grade-II listed building and requires careful renovation to protect its character.
“The council’s conservation officer and English Heritage have expressed concern that the initial plaster used could damage the character of the property.”
He said the council had asked the owner to seek specialist evidence that would reassure the council and English Heritage that the plaster will not damage the building.
The council had suggested that other repairs such as electrical works could be undertaken to reduce any delays and was happy for other options to be investigated, such as temporary unfixed screening, which would allow the gallery to open as soon as possible.
First published at 19:34, Thursday, 16 December 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Have your say
Be the first to comment on this article!
Make your comment
Open all references in tabs: [1 – 7]