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One of Haverhill's historic buildings at risk is at last likely to get a facelift and structural repair.

Hamlet House, a substantial residential propert attached to the Old Silk Mill building at the former Atterton and Ellis site, has been falling into disrepair for some years.

Bernhard and Co Ltd of Rugby have applied for planning permission to carry out repair works to the external fabric of the building, including structural repair where necessary.

The works will include re-roofing, dormer reconstruction, replacement of parapet wall, replastering and window and door refurbishment.

The application follows a site meeting with a St Edmundsbury Council conservation officer in January.

Hamlet House forms part of the application site for the development of the former Atterton and Ellis ironworks.

A design and access statement accompanying the application says the building is currently poorly maintained and in a declining state of structural repair.

Damage to the roof structure and parapet gutter has allowed rainwater to penetrate to all levels of the building, causing damage and decay.

The application is to make the building weathertight and structurally sound and remove it from the council's Buildings At Risk register.

Traditional materials would be used for the work.

Another application is expected to come forward to refurbish the interior, and to demolish and rebuild rear additions to the building.

The applicants say they are currently considering options for future use of the building.

The house, which dates to the 18th century, was for many years the home of Geoffrey Boardman of Atterton and Ellis, but has been unoccupied for a long time.

The Old Silk Mill was built attached to one side of it in 1824.

On the other side stands Manor House, which was for a while converted into a mental health centre, but is now also boarded up.

Hamlet House currently has no access from the street to its rear garden, which runs down to the Stour Brook behind.