10 July 2012
After more than 10 years of protective scaffolding shrouding the property to safeguard Islanders, Jersey Property Holdings has now secured a budget to repair the spires. The work will start in September and is programmed for completion by the end of 2012.
The building was built around 1829, using solid masonry walls in random rubble granite and brick. The more detailed architectural elements of churches are normally constructed using stone. However in the case of St James they were built using a combination of in-situ and pre-cast sand cement.
This low cost method of construction has deteriorated over the last 185 years and left the external fabric of the main façade in a dangerous condition. It is this which led to the erection of the scaffolding some years ago.
Property Holdings and the Environment Department have worked closely together to ensure all requirements of both departments are incorporated within the application.
The work will consist of:
- power washing the external façade to remove dirt and loose debris
- filling small cracks with cement based material approved by the Environment Department
- taking mouldings of the existing ornamental features for replication on the façade
- matching ornamental mouldings to existing ones
- removing ornamental metal spires and capping off the remaining base areas
- producing 8 new concrete pinnacles to match the existing ones (in angle, shape, mouldings etc)
- installing the pinnacles and ensuring weather-tight joints
- reparing façade cement as agreed with the Environmental Department
- removing scaffolding
The building will be available for use while the work is underway.
The Assistant Treasury Minster, Deputy Eddie Noel, said “I am delighted that Property Holdings can finally begin this restoration work and I am looking forward to the removal of the scaffolding.”
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