Restoration work on Parmoor, a historic Grade II-listed building at 26 Cambray Place in Cheltenham town centre, has finally resumed after being halted for nearly 11 months. The delay was triggered when the adjacent property at 27 Cambray Place showed signs of imminent structural collapse, forcing builders to stop all work to ensure safety.
Leckhampton Builders, contracted by the Cheltenham Civic Society to convert Parmoor into flats alongside a new headquarters, had to immediately down tools in early autumn 2024. The structural failure of No. 27 Cambray Place was unrelated to Parmoor but presented a direct threat — at one point, scaffolding from the compromised building leaned against Parmoor itself.
During the hiatus, essential repairs to Parmoor’s roof and front parapet wall were interrupted. Though the construction team attempted to shield the site with tarpaulins, severe storms and heavy rainfall throughout the year severely damaged the building’s interior. When access was regained in October, the Civic Society discovered water infiltration had soaked the front wall and basement, ruining waterproofing measures and significantly worsening pre-existing dry rot.
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Initially caused by a hidden leak behind the parapet wall, the dry rot had been under control and ready for chemical treatment before the interruptions. Now, the rot has spread extensively, affecting timber across the entire wall, and demolition of affected materials, including the central steel staircase, has become necessary.
Andrew Booton, Chair of the Civic Society, described the setback as substantial: “The whole episode has set us back more than a year. Our builders are now working hard to restore the building to its autumn 2024 condition. This delay has severely impacted our plans, pushing back the HQ opening and costing the Society a year’s income from the four flats.”
Since returning to the site, Leckhampton Builders have sealed the roof and completed the parapet repairs, restoring the building’s dryness. They have also removed damaged materials and prepared the site for comprehensive chemical treatment.
Booton remains optimistic about progress: “By Christmas, we hope to be back on track so the conversion to flats and our new headquarters can move forward early next year.” The project’s completion is now expected in 2027.
When finished, Parmoor will not only revitalise this part of Cambray Place but provide a striking example of Regency building restoration. The new Civic Society headquarters, featuring a 99-seat venue, will offer a valuable community space for meetings and events in the heart of Cheltenham.