Cause of Grade II building collapse unknown

The cause of a partial collapse at a Grade II listed building remains unknown, according to a council.

A section of the fascia of the Clock House on Bedford Road in Ampthill fell onto the pavement last weekend, but no-one was hurt.

An area around the building, which is privately owned and has been empty for 18 months, remains cordoned off.

Susan Potter, from Ampthill Town Council, said: "Following concerns raised by residents and councillors, the council contacted the owner of the building to seek reassurance that appropriate action was being taken in response to the incident."

"I have not received any communications on the official confirmation of the cause of the incident, and therefore cannot comment on the cause whatsoever," she added.

While the council owns the clock mechanism itself, it has no ownership of or responsibility for the building.

The Clock House was designed in 1852, and the wooden clock tower that sits on the roof dates back to about 1700.

Earlier this year, the building was listed to buy or rent by Country Properties Ampthill, with an asking price of about £325,000, or £2,500 per month.

Some local people have expressed concerns that increased traffic has put buildings such as the Clock House at risk.

Ampthill Town Council has previously said it was worried that roads through its town centre, that are regarded as a bottleneck, could become worse when visitors drive to the Universal Resort when it opens at a former brickworks site near Bedford - planned for 2031.

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