Listed building repairs uncovered further decay

The plans say further essential work was done during repairs approved last year

Repairs to a listed building with "clear national significance" have uncovered further issues with the building, according to planning documents.

Extensive decay was found in parts of York's Treasurer's House during work to tackle the risk of falling masonry last year, which resulted in additional repairs to the roof.

The scope of planned works to the lift shaft also changed, after the original lift machinery was found to still be in place.

The National Trust has submitted a retrospective planning application for the site, stating that the extra work had been carefully considered and discussed with York Council's conservation architect.

Plans lodged in July last year warned the upper section of the building's lift shaft could collapse unless repairs were carried out, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

An inspection of the Grade I listed 17th Century building, located in Minster Yard, found loose bricks and a bulge in brickwork at the top of the redundant lift shaft facing Gray's Court.

The works that were done have allowed the lift's steelwork and flywheel to remain in situ, with minimal alterations to the building's historic fabric, the latest application said.

Original machinery was discoverd in the lift shaft during work

Other repairs include steel supports added to the roof to address decay in its purlin beams, fitting a new cast iron gutter, and de-scaling stonework.

The planning application added: "During the work on site, some additional defects in the building fabric were identified.

"Treasurer's House is a rare and special heritage asset of clear national significance."

The Treasurer's House has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious buildings in York and it hosted James I in 1617, according to the National Trust.

Parts of the site date back to medieval times with some surviving Roman fragments in its cellar.

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