By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The “eyesore” hoardings at Gloucester Shire Hall are not expected to be removed for several months while plans are drawn up to make changes to the building’s entrance.
The grade II-listed municipal building is the main oaffice and meeting place of Gloucestershire County Council.
But since October last year, residents and tourists who walk along Westgate Street have been greeted with the sight of boards on the steps of the city centre landmark.
The council said last year that the hoardings were installed to undertake essential maintenance to damaged steps. This was due to take around three to four weeks.
However, more than four months later they are still in place and in a poor state of repair.
Council leaders say they have since decided to review the front of Shire Hall and will need to submit planning applications which could take up to four months.
They say in the meantime they will continue to carry out work behind the hoardings and they have apologised for any inconvenience.
However, the appearance of the hoardings is something people comment on when passing by the building.
And County Councillor Pam Tracey (C, Westgate and Hempsted) said the hoardings are an eyesore and they “have been up long enough”.
“I was thinking of asking the council if they could just paint it just to make it look more acceptable,” she said.
“They do get a lot of people in the car park visiting the cathedral.
“The residents are quite concerned because it is an eyesore, especially for the County Council. So perhaps there could be some initiative to have it painted.
“But I don’t want any memorials or Banskys or anything like that.”
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD), who represents Westgate on Gloucester City Council, is among those calling for the hoardings to be removed.
“The boards outside must come down now,” she said. “They have been up long enough.
“I am hearing rumours that the only reason they went up was to stop individuals from sleeping and setting up camp in the doorways.
“If there is no truth to this rumour then why are these ugly boards remaining in place for the foreseeable months.
“Their appearance is diabolical and shame on the County Council for using the guise of maintenance to stop individuals from setting up camp instead of tackling the problem in an up front and professional manner.”
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council apologised for the inconvenience and said work will be carried out behind the hoardings over the next four months.
“Following the essential maintenance works, a decision has been taken to review the front of Shire Hall,” they said.
“With this in mind, we will need to undertake a full planning application process which will take up to four months.
“During this time we will continue to carry out work behind the hoardings. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”