Permission Granted for Roof Work at Grade II Listed Museum

An extensive roof project has received approval for a museum designated as Grade II listed. The county museum in Dorchester is now tasked with obtaining the necessary funding for these repairs, which were not finalized during the building’s renovation between 2020 and 2021. Dorset Council has endorsed an application for the refurbishment and replacement of a significant portion of the main roof, specifically detailing the substitution of fibre cement slates with natural slate. An announcement regarding the funding for the museum’s roof project is anticipated in the spring. The museum stated it could not provide details on the cost or the timeline of the work. The scope of the work encompasses the replacement of lead flashings, roof valleys, parapet gutters, and lead and copper cladding on dormer windows. Additionally, repairs will be carried out on the decorative Victorian Gallery windows. Furthermore, chimneys and parapet walls will undergo repairs and repointing. Crickmay Stark Architects, based in Dorchester, responsible for drafting the proposal, noted that the primary museum structure was constructed between 1881 and 1883, while another section of the edifice originates from the early 17th Century. The firm’s report indicated that the roofs had already reached the conclusion of their operational lifespan during the significant redevelopment conducted between 2020 and 2021, but were excluded from that project due to financial considerations. The report stated: “Fundamentally, the roofscape leaks and has done for a prolonged period. Consequently, there is evidence of internal water ingress in wall and ceiling plasterwork and finishes.”