One of Halton’s most historic buildings is set to be bulldozed amid fears it could collapse.

Halton Council has submitted an application to flatten Waterloo House in Runcorn and carry out repairs to the neighbouring Grade II-listed Carnegie Library.

Dating back to the 1830s, the building on Waterloo Road was built by Charles Hazlehurst, a local soap and alkali manufacturer. It was later converted for use as the Runcorn’s Town Hall between 1874 to 1933.

It is thought to have housed the town's original library which opened in 1882, and most recently used as a community centre before having to be closed down due to structural problems in 2004.

Following demolition, remedial work is planned for the adjoining Carnegie Library on Egerton Street. It was built in 1906 with money donated by Scottish American businessman Andrew Carnegie. It was the main library in Runcorn until a larger library was opened in the 1970s at Halton Lea. It first became a branch library, then closed as a library in 2012. The building was awarded Grade II listed status in 2007.

Campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage added both Waterloo and Carnegie Library to its ‘Buildings at Risk Register’ in 2015, its website states: “It is a local landmark with evidential, social and historical value. It is a key building on the Runcorn heritage trail because of its importance to the town’s heritage. “

But documents submitted in support of the application for demolition say the building - which is owned by Halton Council - is ‘beyond repair' and ‘dangerous’.

A report by surveyors Cassidy + Ashton added that the building required ‘immediate intervention’ to ensure 'no risk to life'.

It said: “The condition of the Waterloo building has significantly declined to such a point that building control at Halton Council have expressed concerns regarding its safety.

“This has resulted in partial road closures being put in place in case the building falls down,

“The applicant would like to safely dismantle the Waterloo building so ensure no risk to life and to also ensure no damage is made to the adjacent listed building.”