PLANS to carry out repair and refurbishment work at one of the two towers on top of Greenock’s municipal buildings have been approved.

Inverclyde Council plans to carry out a range of works on the Dalrymple Tower, including the removal of moss and algae, the fitting of ‘anti-bird spokes’ and the raking out and repointing of defective mortar beds and joints.

Although the property is owned by the local authority, the municipal buildings’ A listed status meant the council was required to apply – to itself – for ‘listed building consent’ to carry out the works.

The refurbishment will include “works to include the removal of all moss and algae, defective mortar beds and joints to be raked out and repointed, all areas of laminated and spalling stonework throughout, including running copes to be repaired, finial rod to be repaired and treated, anti-bird spokes to be fitted to discourage bird nesting on lodges, louvres and perspex covers to be replaced as required, and adjacent chimney breasts, pots, haunching's flashings and copes to be repaired as required”.

The tower, on the north-west corner of the municipal buildings, is the smaller of the two on the property, being dwarfed by the 245-foot Victoria Tower.