PLANS have been submitted to restore the clock tower at Fordingbridge Town Hall.

A planning application has been submitted by Fordingbridge Town Council seeking permission for the refurbishment work.

A town council spokesman said: “The planning application is to undertake necessary work to improve the weather tightness of the roof and clock tower and to strengthen an existing truss supporting the roof.”

The cost of the repairs is still to be confirmed.

The spokesman added: “We are currently going through a tendering process in relation to the proposed work.

“Once we have completed this process and confirmed the overall likely cost we will then look at how best to fund the work.”

The clocks refurbishment will involve removing and reinstating the clock faces and mechanism as well as relaying the roof and replacing tiles and leadwork.

Work will also need to be carried out to strengthen the structure of the Grade II listed building in High Street along with repairs to sash windows.

Comment on the application online, New Forest District councillor Ann Sevier, who represents the Fordingbridge ward, said: “The town hall clock tower is one of the main features of Fordingbridge and features in photographs and in promotional literature. I strongly support the work to restore the clock and roof for the future.

“I am aware that this work has become essential as problems have developed and need immediate remedy.”

Environmental Protection has raised no objection to the plans but said it was aware of issues associated with the numbers of pigeons roosting/ perching on the roof ridge and clock tower. It said that “it would appear timely to implement measures to deny perching opportunities.”

n Last month, Fordingbridge Town Council agreed a rise in its share of the council tax by 16.3 per cent, which is an increase of £14.09 per annum per band D. The increase was agreed by councillors to fund the increased hours for the town clerk, for a buildings manager to oversee buildings repairs and improvements, loss of donation towards the Christmas lights and to fund the building works to the town hall.

View plans at newforest.gov.uk and search 19/10038.