By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to install a stronger floor at Cheltenham’s iconic Pittville Pump Room have been given the go-ahead.
Cheltenham Borough Council has granted itself permission to conduct the works at the grade-I listed building.
Pittville Pump room was built between 1825 and 1830 by architect John Forbes.
It is considered one of the finest buildings in the spa town and is made of ashlar stone over brick with a prominent slate and copper dome.
Being of the highest heritage significance and incorporating wide-ranging heritage value, it is designated Grade I, and as such is in the top 2.5 per cent of listed buildings.
The proposals, which were approved at last week’s planning committee, involve the strengthening of supporting sleeper walls within the existing floor void and the replacement of the existing floor deck in the principal area.
In 2023, the Pump Room was closed following a plasterwork survey indicating the building was unsafe, due to cracks and delamination of the internal plasterwork.
Repairs were undertaken to address the defects throughout the main hall, ceilings and dome by specialist conservators and the building was made safe and reopened in 2024.
The proposed floor strengthening work will allow high level access via a mobile elevating work platform high level internal historic fabric throughout the Pump Room main hall.
The council say this is needed to undertake surveys and close-up inspections of the building’s historic fabric.
Previously, this was only possible with extensive platform scaffolding, which being both costly and time-consuming meant access has been infrequent.
A mobile platform will allow the essential biennial close-quarter plasterwork survey and remedial work to be done effectively with flexible access to localised areas of disrepair as they arise.
The floor strengthening will allow for effective delivery of repairs and maintenance to the Pittville Pump Room, ensuring its longevity in terms of both building condition and safe use of the building.
The works include the replacement of the existing floor deck in the main hall, strengthening works in the floor void with the installation of further joists and building up of sleeper walls.
Head of planning Chris Gomm told the meeting on September 18 that work will begin as soon as possible.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the scheme.