Vital repairs are planned for Newport Civic Centre’s west wing glass-block roof, addressing long-term water leaks.
Listed building consent protects special buildings. It helps ensure changes fit the building’s character. This protection is unique.
Newport plans vital roof repairs. The repairs target the west wing, room 425W. Water has leaked there for quite some time.
They will fix concrete and beams. Workers will clean and treat rusty rebar. Mortar repairs will also happen. A coating will seal glass blocks.
They considered other options first. These included full restoration and replacement. Those options cost too much or looked bad. They could hurt the heritage.
The glass roof is original from the 1930s. It has some importance, although it lacks other value. The repairs help keep it safe. They will enhance the building and its use.
The council announced a plan in 2024. It covers five years of repairs. This plan will fix the Civic Centre and clock tower. General repairs got approved already.
The Civic Centre is on Godfrey Road. It is where Newport City Council works. The police left the west wing long ago. The law courts are mainly used for filming now.
Cadw and a heritage officer gave guidance. Cadw visited the site in June. They talked about what was needed before the work.
The plan involves five years of Civic Centre repairs. Thomas Cecil Howitt designed it. It started in 1937 and finished in 1964.
The council still uses this building now. Police left the building long ago. The courts are often used as film sets. The clock tower also needs work.