Owner of collapsed building faces legal action

The back of the building collapsed into the river earlier in October

Legal action is being taken against the owner of a historic building which partially collapsed.

The back of the Grade II listed Old Courthouse in Cockermouth, Cumbria, fell into the River Cocker early on 8 October.

Cumberland Council has issued an official order concerning emergency work needed to make the area safe.

The authority said it was also seeking access to the building to "assess the quickest and safest way" to allow the reopening of adjacent areas to traffic.

“This is a complex site and public safety is our main priority," a spokesperson said.

“We will do all we can to reopen the bridge to the vehicles as soon as we can but, in the meantime, we have installed a covered walkway for pedestrians and cyclists."

The council said it was most concerned about the structure's roof

Experts have raised concerns the building is at risk of further collapse.

Earlier this month the council built a covered walkway so pedestrians and cyclists could safely cross the adjacent Cocker Bridge, though it remains closed to vehicles.

The authority said it had issued a Notice of Intention of Emergency Works under Section 78 of the Building Act 1984.

This sets out emergency work the owner must undertake to remove imminent danger, including installing fencing and a covered walkway across the Cocker Bridge.

As the work has already been carried out by the council the order is mainly to allow the authority to recoup its costs.

The council installed a covered walkway across the Cocker Bridge

The council will also be serving a notice under Section 54 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation) Act 1990 to gain access to the property to assess what further work is required.

The legislation enables a local authority to carry out urgent work to preserve a listed building after giving notice to the owner.

A 3D map of the building has been made using laser technology and a contractor is helping the council determine how any work could be safely undertaken.

Discussions were continuing with other relevant bodies, including Historic England, a council spokesperson said.

In 2021, the building's previous owner had to close it after heavy rain left its rear wall on the verge of collapse.