Project underway to protect former Salisbury Cathedral porch
The structure's now in Bourne Hill Gardens
A £21,000 conservation project's getting underway, to protect a 15th century stone porch, that was originally part of Salisbury Cathedral.
The structure's been looked after by the City Council, which is now based in Bourne Hill Gardens.
Specialist stonemasons and contractors will be removing rusting iron cramps, reinstating structural ties with stainless steel fixing, removing unsuitable previous cement repairs to replace them with lime mortar, restoring damaged stone and removing any roots that have become embedded.
Salisbury City Councillor Paul Sample said: “In recent years, this porch has fallen into disrepair. It can be found in the southeast corner of Bourne Hill Gardens.
"The porch dates back to the 15th century. It was taken from Salisbury Cathedral and re-erected in the garden by the owner of Bourne Hill, Henry Wyndham, in 1791.”
Recent assessments revealed that the stone is cracking as embedded rusting iron cramps have expanded over time.
A mortar haunch installed to divert water away, which sits behind a perimeter projecting string course, has suffered from significant root penetration too.
This displacement allows water to seep in, speeding up the ongoing deterioration.