Penarth Town Council has applied to the Vale Planning Department to make some roofing replacements to the Grade II listed building.

They have applied to replace the main roof over the auditorium as well as the removal of the existing roof lights with the opening being boarded over.

The Paget Rooms is a Grade 2 listed building since being added by CADW on 21st January 1993. It was designed by John Coates Carter in 1906.

The venue is still in daily use and is owned and operated by Penarth Town Council. It has flat roofs to the front and rear sections but a trussed pitched roof to the central theatre and stage section.

The pitched roof is supported on king trusses supporting purlins. The roof is boarded and covered with clay plain tiles. The roof lights allow natural light into the theatre and there are sliding glazed panels in the curved ceiling of the theatre.

The application is asking to renew the main pitched roof covering and remove the existing roof lights. The flat roofs have previously been replaced; however, the tiled pitched roof is the original.

The roof has been repaired; however, the rows of tiles are starting to slip. Once this occurs the row of tiles slip. The roof lights are the original Georgian Wired glazed roof lights that sit in a timber frame and are capped with lead. The lead and glass have slipped and been repaired many times and water is entering the roof around the roof lights.

If a tile slips, water will penetrate the roof covering.

Lapider surveyed the Paget Rooms and determined that the original tiled pitched roof covering was past its economic life span and should be renewed.

The application states: "As the theatre is used by the public, Penarth Town Council has to ensure that the building is safe at all times.

"There is water ingress around the roof light and water staining on the internal timber panelling. The roof lights were originally used to allow natural daylight into the theatre.

"However, these have to be covered with blackout blinds to prevent light ingress during performance or use of the hall for example filming. The original blackout blinds have failed, and further blackout has been provided.

"As a result, the use of the roof lights to allow natural daylight into the building is no longer required. "

They have proposed to remove the roof lights and tile over. Internally, the glass to the glazed panels will be replaced with painted 4mm plyboard.

The application has been submitted alongside LED lighting proposed to be installed at roof level and be directed down the front of the building, allowing the frontage to be lit up and highlighted.

They said: ''In undertaking this project, we want to continue to raise the profile and the cultural significance of the building amongst residents and visitors. By cementing the significance of the building within the minds and the history of Penarth, we can continue to safeguard its existence.

"The proposed lights are due to be installed at roof level 0.5 metres away from the edge of the rooftop. They are fixed to the inner face of the top parapet wall and do not affect access to the inside or to the roof of the building if needed."