Derbyshire planners have given the go-ahead for the latest stage of repairs and renovations for the £1.2 million revamp of the listed buildings at Buxton’s historic Pavilion Gardens complex to prevent leaking and water damage from rainfall.

High Peak Borough Council’s Development Committee granted Listed Building Consent at a meeting on March 23 for the council to carry out internal alterations, roof upgrades, repairs and replacements to five roof areas at the iconic Pavilion Gardens’ listed buildings, off St John’s Road.

A council spokesperson stated: “The complex is also located within the boundary of the Grade II listed park and garden – Pavilion Gardens – and within the Buxton Central conservation area.

“Due to the high concentration of overlapping heritage assets on site, the site is considered to have a high level of heritage significance.

placeholder image — The Pavilion Gardens, At Buxton

“The application seeks to conduct a series of roof repairs and upgrades to five areas of the roof.”

These latest plans follow a previously approved first phase of roof repairs and upgrades to four areas of roof at the the complex and the latest work will involve stripping existing slates from one roof, installing insulation, re-slating and re-instating decorative ridge cresting.

A further roof will have its existing coating removed and a new liquid membrane applied to retain the existing roof structure, and a flat roof between the Opera House and a corridor and over a toilet block is to be replaced due to structural issues.

Repairs will also be carried out to a roof referred to as the ‘link corridor’ which has a two-step structure which appears to have been a weak point that has previously resulted in leaks so this is to be replaced with a single sloped roof.

The roof over the conservatory which has a decorative slate roof is also thought to have suffered leaks so the latest plans involve removing existing slates, repairing timbers, installing insulation, reinstalling slates and installing a new plaster ceiling to make the area watertight.

Renovations and repairs aim to make the building complex watertight and future proofed for continued use as a publicly accessible heritage asset, according to the council.

A council spokesperson stated: “This application for Listed Building Consent seeks consent for the replacement and repair of various roof sections and the internal W/C room to support the maintenance and upkeep of the building, which is one of most iconic buildings within Buxton town centre.”

The latest plans form part of an overall schedule of repair and maintenance works to the Pavilion Garden complex after a first phase included roof repairs to the Pavilion Arts Centre and office area as well as the roofs above the retail units and café seating areas.

A council spokesperson stated: “The council and its partners will seek to establish Buxton as England’s leading spa town and consolidate its role as the principal service centre for the Peak District.

“This will be achieved by protecting and enhancing the unique character of Buxton’s spa heritage, townscape and natural environment to maintain the quality of life and act as a catalyst for tourism.”

The council says the works have been designed sensitively so that they will have as minimal an impact upon the exterior appearance of the listed building as possible and they will not have an unacceptable impact upon the Buxton Central Conservation Area or the setting of the Listed Gardens.

Repairs and renovations will also help to safeguard the building for generations to come, according to the council.

A council spokesperson added: “Whilst the proposals would have a very minimal impact on the heritage asset, this would be outweighed by the significant public benefits of renovating and future-proofing of a historic building which is open to the public to ensure its structural integrity and prevent water damage.

“The works would continue to sustain the historic fabric of the listed building as well as the wider Conservation Area. Additionally, the proposals would continue to preserve the setting of designated park and garden.”

High Peak Borough Council has previously agreed to invest £1.2m in repairs and improvement works at the Grade II listed Pavilion Gardens complex.

Council planners granted Listed Building Consent for the council’s latest works at The Pavilion Gardens subject to conditions including that the work is completed within three years and that the development will accord with the approved plans.

The Pavilion Gardens complex forms a cluster of listed buildings dating from the 1870s with the North Entrance foyer, ticket office, and boiler room dating from the 1930s with its original design surviving largely unaltered.

It is owned by High Peak Borough Council and the authority is responsible for the heritage asset’s overall management while Parkwood Leisure Ltd operates and runs events and services at the venue.