St John Maddermarket Church in Norwich needs urgent repairs

St John Maddermarket Church, in Pottergate, requires important work to its south wall.

It's acknowledged there is also a risk that pedestrians could be harmed should the work not be carried out on the Grade I listed building as soon as possible.

Inside the south wall of the church which is in need of repair (Image: Norwich City Council)

A planning application was lodged with Norwich City Council on Wednesday stating that the work is "necessary to ensure the structural stability of the wall".

A previously large fallen tree has begun pushing the top of the wall over and has led to some "structural integrity issues". 

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The application warns that if "a permanent repair is not undertaken there is a future risk of the wall collapsing, with a worst-case scenario of causing harm to a pedestrian".

St John Maddermarket Church, in Pottergate (Image: Newsquest)

A number of burial plots stacked up against the wall would also be disturbed "for certain" should the wall collapse.

There is scaffolding propping up the wall and the "ongoing costs with the hire and regular checking of the structure" are £100 per month.

The scope of work is to carry out structural repairs to the wall by installing ground anchors halfway and three-quarters up.

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St John Maddermarket dates back to the 14th century and is currently cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust and its volunteers.

There is currently scaffolding next to the wall to stop it from collapsing (Image: Newsquest)

Most of the church however comes from a major rebuilding between about 1445 to 1510.

A restoration of the church took place in the 19th century, including rebuilding the tower in 1822 as well as refurbishing the interior of the roof and rebuilding the walls in 1863.

The church survived a gas explosion in 1876, although much of the stained glass was damaged.

St John Maddermarket Church dates back from the 14th century but a lot of it comes from a major rebuilding between about 1445 to 1510 (Image: Newsquest)