Plans to rebuild a wall near one of Marlborough’s historic buildings have been submitted to Wiltshire Council.
The applicant Christina O’Brien-Noyes wants to rebuild the wall in the private car park of the grounds in The Priory, High Street.
The Priory has been a Grade II listed building since 1949 and is currently a sheltered accommodation for the elderly.
The building is home to 23 flats and was previously renovated in 1964.
In a heritage statement, Ms O’Brien-Noyes says she wants to rebuild the wall because it has deteriorated so much that minor repairs are no longer possible.
The wall will be rebuilt using existing bricks and any additional bricks obtained from a local reclamation yard to match.
If the plans are approved by the council they would be undertaken in the private car park of the Priory.
The car park is accessed off Figgins Lane and is adjacent to The Priory gardens.
Demolition of the existing wall would begin in March 2023.
An application has only been submitted now as there was a question about the ownership of the wall.
However, this issue has now been resolved and the wall has been confirmed to be the responsibility of the housing company Aster Group.
The wall is currently fenced off to protect anyone on the footpath as it could collapse at any moment
According to documents, there are currently loose bricks/spalling bricks and loose mortar.
The plans are currently under consultation and will be discussed by Marlborough Town Council at their planning meeting on December 5.
The Priory Gardens themselves provide an open space for the residents of Marlborough with benches, picnic tables, large lawns and floral displays with the river Kennet running along its edge.
They are adjacent to The Priory itself which was once home to monks.
In March, the town council decided the lock the gates of the gardens at night following a request of Wiltshire Police.
This was following allegations of anti-social behaviour which intimidated residents.
There have also been reports that the gardens had become a meeting point for drug dealers.
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