By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Concerns have been raised over the condition of a Grade II listed townhouse in Nottingham after subsidence almost caused a neighbouring city bar to collapse.
Brass Monkey, in High Pavement, closed in November last year after subsidence nearly caused one of the building’s walls to buckle.
The property sits within the Lace Market Conservation Area and is locally listed with Historic England, which protects heritage buildings.
Structural engineering firm Tunstall Smith King, which has been investigating the cause of the problems, says water leaking from a Severn Trent Water sewer pipe is the probable cause.
The water firm confirmed it is supporting the ongoing investigations.
During a Full Council meeting on Monday (September), the leader of the Nottingham Independents and Independent Group, Cllr Kevin Clarke, questioned whether any further buildings were at risk.
Cllr Jay Hayes (Lab), executive member for housing and planning, said: “Myself and a few others over the years have spent a few good nights in Brass Monkey, and we are sad to see the current state of the bar.
“Currently [subsidence] only affects that one building. At the moment there is no evidence of other buildings being affected.”
The building must now be demolished and rebuilt, according to planning documents submitted by property owners Flack Investments Ltd.
“There’s a planning application in submission and this will be decided in due course,” Cllr Hayes added.
During the meeting another councillor raised his concerns over the state of the neighbouring County House.
The Grade II listed townhouse is believed to date back to the 15th or 16th Century, and was rebuilt between 1728 and 1733.
The building was once used as judges’ lodgings after being remodelled and extended in 1833, before being converted to offices in 1922, and further extended in 1930 and 1949.
It is in a very poor condition and has been subject to vandalism.
Plans were submitted for a restaurant, bar, offices and three serviced flats in 2018, however the permission has since lapsed.
The plans had been submitted by Globe Consultants Ltd, on behalf of First Provincial Properties Ltd.
In 2021 the property was added to Historic England’s heritage at risk register, owing to its “very bad” condition.
Cllr Michael Edwards (Lab) said: “We are concerned about the state of County House, a Grade [II] listed building.
“The owner is not getting to grips with it and is allowing repeated spates of damage to the property.”
Cllr Hayes said he is aware of the challenges with the property and will be working with the private owner to make sure it is secure.
