A COUNCIL has been given permission to gain entry to a building which partially collapsed into a river.

The Old Courthouse in Cockermouth caved in on one side earlier this month with debris falling into the River Cocker below.

The grade-two listed building which is around 190 years old and is privately owned, had been under scrutiny over safety concerns.

A court has now heard that the building is in a 'very precarious position' and is at risk of further collapse in adverse weather.

Cumberland Council has carried out emergency works to remove the imminent danger caused by the building, which has included closing the road and creating a pedestrian walkway across the Cocker bridge. Residents have been evacuated from three nearby properties.

Samiul Ahmed, a London property developer, bought the building at auction last summer for £51,000. The council had informed Mr Ahmed that they required access.

An application put forward by Cumberland Council for a warrant of entry to the building was granted by Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Geraldine McDonald, for Cumberland Council, told the court that prior to the collapse, the council had liaised with the building’s previous and current owners. They had written to say the building was dangerous and needed to be addressed.

Ms McDonald said: “Unfortunately, it has collapsed into the river. The council worked to remove the danger imposed.

“The building is in a very precarious position. It’s something that needs to be resolved. We need to make a move on this as soon as we can.

“We have a structural engineer on standby.”

The court was told that Mr Ahmed had 'issued a number of demands' to the council before he would grant access.

Ms McDonald said: “The owner was notified in writing with a number of possible dates which were all last week. Mr Ahmed responded to the request for access with a number of demands.

“The building remains in a precarious position. Cumberland Council and Historic England require as much of the historic building to be preserved as possible.

“There’s concern debris is holding the structure. We need to determine what bracing is required to the building before removal of any debris can be carried out to the rear of the property. If the internal structure isn’t braced that can lead to a further collapse.”

Magistrates agreed there were ‘reasonable grounds’ to allow the council to gain access because it was likely that permission would be refused by the owner and there was a degree of urgency to carry out an initial assessment and make the building safe.