Historic UK building collapses into river one year after new owners bought it

08 October 2023 , 11:41

855     0

The Old Courthouse has partially collapsed into a river (Image: Malcolm Mavin / SWNS)

Part of a historic building in Cumbria collapsed into a river earlier today, less than two years before it was declared unsafe.

The 194-year-old Listed Old Courthouse building in Cockermouth, due to feature on the BBC TV renovation show Homes Under The Hammer, has partially collapsed into the River Cocker. Shocking photos taken today show that a whole section of the building has fully collapsed and debris was scattered in the river below.

No one is understood to have been injured. The Grade-II Listed riverside building was declared unsafe in November 2021 after the fast-flowing river eroded the stone section underneath it.

It was purchased at auction for £51,000 last year by London property consultant Samiul Ahmed, who planned to spent more than £100,000 to make it safe. He announced in March that he had been working alongside local builders, designers and heritage groups and said structural engineers have assessed the damage.

The building was due to appear on BBC's Homes Under the Hammer (Malcolm Mavin / SWNS)

The historic building was declared unsafe in November 2021 (Malcolm Mavin / SWNS)

Cockermouth's Civic Trust group had previously warned about the safety of the Old Courthouse. In April this year, their architectural advisor said the building remained "highly vulnerable to further collapse".

London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said earlier this week that the local authority was "aware" of the building's condition. Speaking on Wednesday, the spokesperson said: "We fully appreciate the concerns raised about the current state of the building.

"We are aware of the continued deterioration and are doing all we can within our powers to find a solution to the issues. This includes securing independent expert advice.

"This a complex issue and we are endeavouring to work with the owner of the property, and partners, to find a speedy and amicable resolution. Officers from various departments within the council are working together to support this work."

Shocking photos taken today show that one part of the building has fully collapsed (Malcolm Mavin / SWNS)

Debris is now going into the river below (Malcolm Mavin / SWNS)

In an updated statement shared with The Mirror this afternoon, Cumberland Council said: "The Old Courthouse is an iconic building in Cockermouth and we share local residents' sadness following the recent partial collapse of the building. We are working with emergency services and partners to do all we can to assess the damage and take immediate steps to protect public safety.

"The bridge over the River Cocker has been closed as a precautionary measure and screening will be installed. Please avoid the area and follow any diversions in place. There have been no reports of any injuries and although some debris has landed into the river, the river is still flowing.

"The Environment Agency has confirmed that although the collapse is near to their flood walls, the walls remain intact and the town’s flood risk has not increased. A multi-agency response is now in place, and we will provide updates as soon as they are available.

"This is a privately owned building and has been an ongoing issue. We continue to work with the owner of the property, and partners."

Izzy Hawksworth