BCP Council leases the land on which the walls sit and has a responsibility for their maintenance around the Priory, quay and adjacent to the mill stream. Due to the scheduled monument status of the Priory, the repairs are supported by the council’s senior conservation officer who will ensure all restoration work complies with ancient monument guidelines.

Christchurch Priory dates back to 1094 and was first constructed as a Norman church on the site of the old Saxon Priory.

The council put the works out to tender, and Greendale Construction were successful in gaining the contract.

The restoration work includes removing vegetation and tree growth within the walls; dismantling some of the walls for a careful rebuild using like for like materials; replacing degraded and weather worn bricks and replacing them with new matching clay bricks; and shoring and underpinning the walls if required.