THE threat of an ‘unholy row’ is brewing over work needed to repair a section of the Ludlow town walls.

A section of wall that joins the St Laurence's Churchyard is causing increasing concern.

The Parochial Church Council at St Laurence's Church say it is keen to see moves to get the extent of the repairs evaluated and for repair work to start.

But the church says that the final responsibility for work that is certain to cost a lot of money sits either with Shropshire Council or Ludlow Town Council.

“The Parochial Church Council of St Laurence’s Church is very conscious of the need to have the collapsed part of the historic walls of Ludlow repaired as soon as possible and fully support any steps taken, or due to be taken, in this regard,” said Shaun Ward, the clerk of works for St Laurence's Church.

St Laurence's Parochial Church Council has agreed to exploratory investigations being undertaken and Shropshire Council is arranging to undertake a geophysical survey on the churchyard side of the wall.

The church says that it has taken legal advice and that the responsibility for the repair of the wall is either with Ludlow Town Council or Shropshire Council

Ludlow Town Council believes that the responsibility for the section of wall involved is with Shropshire Council.

“We have written to Shropshire Council to confirm that the collapsed wall at St Laurence’s Church, was owned by St Laurence's Parochial Church Council and the maintenance of the churchyard was legally transferred to Shropshire Council under s215 Local Government Act 1972 in 2012,” said Gina Wilding in a statement last autumn.

The Ludlow Town Walls are on a risk register drawn up by English Heritage.

The condition of the walls is being monitored by Shropshire Council.

“Shropshire Council continues to monitor and keep safe the section of collapsed wall, ahead of discussions at the meeting,” said Simon Jones, Shropshire Council cabinet member for highways and transport.