PLANS to carry out ‘urgent’ repair works at a historic market hall have been lodged.

Manchester-based developer Beacon Development Ltd has asked for permission to conduct the works at Bacup’s now derelict old market hall in Bank Street.

The Grade II building has not been used for some time and the developers said there are ‘urgent structural defects’ caused by ‘thirty plus years of standing derelict with no maintenance.’

Planning documents submitted to Rossendale borough council said the building has been left ‘severely damaged’ by the weather and rain penetration into the building.

While the documents said that properties to the south of the gable are 'at risk due to their close proximity.'

Under the plans, a support scaffold would be erected to the south gable wall, which would then be dismantled by hand and reconstructed to ‘address the defects’.

The plan would also see the removal by hand of extant roof slates and timbers, repairs works to the roof structure and temporary roof cover.

While a separate application will also be lodged by the developer to build 14 houses inside the old market hall.

In planning documents on behalf of the developer, agent Howard & Seddon Partnership said "This listed building application is for essential maintenance and repair work to the southern gable of the existing listed building to secure the safety of the adjacent neighbours and public.

"The existing gable has suffered from many years of lack of maintenance.

"The building has been severely damage by the weather and rain penetration into the building.

"Also, the building has incurred damage through vandalism and theft."

Howard & Seddon Partnership said that structural engineers have recommended that supporting scaffold be erected and the wall dismantled 'as a matter of urgency', including a crash deck to protect the adjacent properties.

They added: "There are properties to the South of the gable at risk due to their close proximity.

"The church and cottage to the south elevation are particularly at risk.

"The wall will be rebuilt as part of a separate application for consent to convert to residential use and build approximately 14 units therein. "

The old market hall was built in 1867 but became redundant in 1972 following the opening of the market near St James’ Square.

It became Grade II listed in November 1984.