NEW fencing will soon be in place around three sides of Weston's "historic" former Magistrates Court.

It has been decided that precautionary fencing should be put into place around the Walliscote Road building after small parts of loose masonry were found following heavy rainfall.

The Walliscote Place car park at the rear of the Magistrates Court will remain open. 

Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “The recent heavy rainfall has affected a number of properties across North Somerset, including the former Magistrates Court on Walliscote Road.

"Fencing will be put in place to further protect the building and passing pedestrians. 

“The council has been carrying out a number of inspections and surveys of the building over the past few months as part of considering options for its future.

“As a building with both a listed interior and exterior, this presents a number of challenges as to what we can and can’t do.

"However, we are open to ideas and want to work with local residents in finding a future use for the building that fits in with our ambitions for Weston town centre.”

Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, heritage champion at North Somerset Council, said: “The former magistrates court is a Grade II listed building in the heart of the town.

"Originally built in 1934, the old magistrates court is an important historic building and part of Weston’s local heritage.

"We will continue to closely monitor the building and are considering all options for its future. We will always carefully consider the building’s listed status and its historic features.”

Work to secure the building started in late 2023. This was following evidence of unauthorised access and the presence of asbestos. 

Speaking at the time, Cllr Bell said: “Originally built in 1934, the Old Magistrates Court is an important historic building and part of Weston’s local heritage.

"As is typical of buildings from the era, asbestos was used in construction and remains present inside the building. 

“Whilst asbestos is a potentially dangerous building material, I’d like to reassure both residents and visitors that it only poses a risk if it is damaged, broken up and its fibres enter the air.

"This hasn’t happened in this case. Nevertheless, it is important that we now secure the building and complete surveys to ensure continued safety of the site."