Plan to repair Westgate Hall and other Southampton sites

The city council has given itself listed building consent to repair Westgate Hall, two ancient cellars, and the remains of a 15th century house at Town Quay.

Westgate Hall is a timber-framed venue next to an ancient arch that forms part of Southampton's medieval town walls.

People who have passed through it include soldiers on their way to Agincourt in 1415 and the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed from Southampton to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620.

The remains of a 15th century house at Town Quay are also set to undergo repair work (Image: Newsquest)

Previously known as the Tudor Merchant's Hall, Westgate Hall was built in 1417 and originally stood in nearby St Michael's Square.

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After becoming derelict in the 17th century, it was moved piece by piece to its present site, where it is thought to have been used to store salt.

In 1890 the building was acquired by what was then the borough council, which used it as a museum store.

Following restoration work in the 1970s it became a lecture theatre known as the Tudor Merchant's Hall. It was later renamed Westgate Hall and formed part of the Tudor House and Garden project.

The proposal to carry out repairs was backed by the Old Town Community Forum.

In a letter to the council, it said: "It is a rare opportunity for us to wholeheartedly support an application."

The City of Southampton Society added: "We are happy that work is being undertaken at this time, before the building falls into further disrepair, requiring more expensive work."

Two ancient cellars near Town Quay Park are also set to undergo repair work (Image: Newsquest)

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Plans to repair two ancient vaults at 90 and 91 High Street have also been approved.

The planning application said: "All the buildings at the junction of High Street and Porters Lane were destroyed during the Blitz in 1940, leaving the vaults and cellars beneath exposed."

The site was cleared and the cellars filled in. They were partially excavated in 1971 and further excavated on three other occasions.

Another application related to the remains of a 15th century house that was transformed into a seven-storey warehouse in the 1830s.

It was wrecked in the Blitz and a transport cafe was built within the ruins, which are now a seating area.

City council leader Lorna Fielker said: "We are proud of - and committed to - preserving and enhancing Southampton’s rich history and heritage."