WARRINGTON’S historic Town Hall will have a new flag pole if planning chiefs give approval.
The borough council has applied for planning permission to remove the existing flag pole on the roof and replace it with a new one.
The proposal also involves removing the existing timber access gangway and stairs and replacing it with a galvanised steel gangway and stairs, including a handrail, that will take a different route across the roof.
Planners say the work will necessitate the partial removal of the roof coverings which will be replaced when the work has been completed.
Historic England has not objected to the alterations on the Grade 1 Listed Building but has expressed concern that the new metal gangway could be more visible from ground level and have a harmful impact on the significance of the building. Such harm should be avoided much as possible, they say.
Planners say when built, in 1750, the building did not appear to have a flagpole on the roof and is likely that it was added in 1870 when the building was acquired by the council as a Town Hall.
The existing timber structure is in disrepair and, when wet, the gangway is slippery making access to the flag pole dangerous.
The scheme is unlikely to have a harmful effect on the appearance of the building.
It is considered the proposed scheme will preserve the Listed Building and have a negligible impact on the Conservation Area in which it stands.
The council’s development management committee will consider the application tomorrow (Wednesday).
New flag pole planned for Town Hall
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