Ossett Town Hall renovation work to continue

Restoration work is being carried out on the roof of the building, clock tower and stonework

Plans have been approved to allow delayed renovation work to continue at Ossett Town Hall.

Work to restore the roof, clock tower and stonework had been due to be completed by the end of 2023.

However, work stalled at the Grade II-listed building, which was constructed in 1908, after a number of defects were discovered.

These included ceilings and floors that had fallen through and rot in the clock tower timbers, a report said.

Wakefield Council has approved a new listed building consent application, but said the delays meant the revamp was not going to be finished until next summer, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A report said: "The proposed works have been carefully considered to be sensitive to the listed building."

Council apology

The building on Market Place has been surrounded by scaffolding since August 2022, with the cost of the renovation understood to have more than doubled to £3m.

In October, Tony Homewood, independent councillor for Ossett, criticised the council over the delays.

The authority said the delays had been caused by new planning applications having to be submitted to get the work completed.

Natalie Palmer, the council's interim service director for property, previously said: "We share everyone's frustration that the refurbishment of Ossett Town Hall is taking longer than expected and apologise for the disruption caused.

"Any additional work we have discovered during the refurbishment has had to follow the strict guidance that applies to such old buildings, and this has led to unexpected delays.

"The preservation of Ossett Town Hall is really important to us, and the people of the town, and we are working hard to complete the work as soon as possible."

Ossett Town Hall served as a civic centre, magistrates' court and offices for Ossett Borough Council until 1974, when Ossett became part of Wakefield Council.