Plans are being put together to restore a prominent historic clock tower in Truro.
Cornwall Council is preparing to start work on the Truro Municipal Buildings’ clock tower, which it reports is in poor condition and needs to be dismantled and reconstructed.
City Hall and the clock tower have previously been badly damaged by a fire in 1914, which left only the side of the tower that faces Boscawen Street remaining in its original granite form.
The three lost sides were then reconstructed using reinforced concrete and were rendered to give the appearance, from street level, of granite.
The council has also reported that the steelwork used within the tower is now badly corroded.
David Harris, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Cornwall Council, said: "The clock tower is a landmark in Truro and it will be fantastic to see it restored.
"Once complete the reconstructed clock tower will visually appear exactly the same as the clock tower you see now, but it will have been fully restored ready to last another 100 years and more.
"The opportunity is being taken to refurbish the bells and clock mechanism and faces as well."
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The Mayor of Truro, Cllr Stephen Webb, said: "The town clock is a defining feature of any town.
"Here in Truro it is not only part of our heritage, but is also very useful, and is used by many people to assist the business and commerce which keeps the town vibrant and prosperous to be conducted in a timely way.
"We also need to ensure, as good custodians of our public heritage, that a good and lasting job is done.
"Those chimes are part of our soundscape – as essential as birdsong."
The Council has consulted with Historic England and a planning condition has been discharged to allow for the dismantling work to take place.
Subject to approval, the works are due to begin in the autumn, following the completion of the Hall for Cornwall’s refurbishment project.
The Council advises that the existing scaffolding will be reduced, but some will need to remain in place for the clock tower work until spring 2022.
It also claims the work on the tower will not affect the reopening of the Hall for Cornwall.
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