Deathwatch beetles and decay: ‘Unsound’ old buildings in Wellington to be demolished ‘by hand’, says report

Another report has also been prepared on how the buildings at the junctions of Walker Street, Duke Street, and Crown Street, will be demolished by hand from the roof down.

The plan is to demolish the buildings, opposite the YMCA which is also being redeveloped, and build four new residential apartments with a single retail space below. An archaeological survey will also be carried out because the buildings sit in the ‘medieval heart’ of Wellington.

A structural survey has found that the building is ‘unsound’ and riddled with cracks and deathwatch beetles.

One of the vertical cracks was found to be 10-20mm wide. A wall line “appeared to be bulging”, there is “pattern cracking up to 5mm in width” and some cracks could be hidden by rendering, the report reads.

There is also vegetation growing from gutters and a first floor window at 11 Duke Street and an infill extension was found to be of “unconventional timber and plywood “. The buildings that have been unoccupied since 2019.

Steelwork supporting the shop window openings was exposed and showing signs of corrosion. Infill timbers were rotten where visible.

The report said that on “all floors and also to the roof structure where examined across both properties evidence of infestation from both the common furniture beetle and deathwatch beetle were found. Timbers identified as infested included hardwood primary support beams and purlins.”

The report, carried out by Rudders & Paynes property preservation specialists of Solihull, said that a large number of actions would be necessary to repair the building.

But they added: “In our professional opinion whilst being the most desirable option to retain the existing structure, it may prove far costlier than taking the choice to demolish and rebuild properties.

“In addition to this, the extent of temporary works required would attract considerable risk to not only the property that is intended to save, but to the attached neighbouring properties which are also of importance to the local heritage.”

A demolition plan has been sent to the council by Paveaways Ltd, of Knockin, near Oswestry.

They say timber hoarding will be erected along with a structural scaffold to support the building and protect the public.

The roof will be removed, and the walls and floors will be demolished.

“The majority of the work will be done by hand and hand tools due to the logistical restrictions and there being no room for plant and heavy machinery to operate,” the report says.

The plans have been subject to two rounds of consultation after the site boundary was amended and ownership certificates lodged.

Wellington Town Council’s planning committee lodged no objections to the demolition and rebuilding scheme when councillors met for the second time to discuss the amended application on Wednesday.

Councillor Paul Davis, (Labour, Park Ward) said he will be “happy to see that building back in use”.

“The amended plans have not changed my mind and I am glad of the borough council investment,” he said. “I am in full support of it. It is going to look a lot, lot better.”

The committee unanimously supported the plan.

The public consultation period has now ended on the plan and council officials will be using delegated powers to make their decision.