Debris and masonry falling from a historic church into a main road has forced bosses to install safety netting around the building.

Kent County Council (KCC) has applied to ratify the amendments to the tower at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Walmer, which have been installed as an “emergency precaution for public safety”.

The tower is about 21m high with a slate-clad pyramid roof. It was added 20 years after the main church was built and is now about 125 years old.

Ownership of the tower was transferred to KCC Highways in 1982, while the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark owns the rest of the Grade II-listed building.

The debris catch netting has already been put in place over the pyramid roof and parapet to a brick anchor zone below the tower's statues and now the council is seeking listed building consent for the urgent works.

A 50mm square mesh has been attached to a framework made from a stainless steel cable, according to plans submitted for the Dover Road building by KCC.

It is hoped the works will rectify the current danger to drivers and pedestrians passing below, and allow the long-term condition and remedial works to be assessed.

Planning documents submitted to Dover District Council state that without action being taken, there is a risk to public safety.

Material fell from the roof to the footpath below in March this year, with the walkway along the A258 closed, although it has since reopened.

The papers add: “In the 125 years since the tower’s construction, it has received little attention, in part due to access restrictions when the property was separated from the church and internal access removed.

“Weather has displaced several slates from the roof, most of which have slipped into the lead gutter behind the parapet.

“Chemical action on the open-pored stone carvings has led to increased friability and loss of material from the parapet.

“This has been increased by corrosion of iron cramps and tie rods, resulting in the loss of material, specifically the head of one angel and the wing of the bull.

“All the material has fallen into the public highway below, putting the public at risk.”

KCC Highways conducted surveys in April using a lift platform, which could not rule out the risk of further falls.

While repairs to the stonework have been identified as the best long-term solution, KCC advises this cannot be implemented immediately, while the installation of the netting immediately reduces the current risk.

Larger-scale works would also require lengthy closures of the A258, another obstacle to implementing the repairs.

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A KCC spokesperson said: “No more extensive netting is planned.

“The urgent works, undertaken in liaison with Dover District Council's conservation officer, were carried out to remove the risk of masonry falls without damaging the fabric of the building.

“The listed building consent application has been submitted to formalise these urgent works.

“The footpath was closed from May 2025. We're very aware this has caused disruption for pedestrians in the area and are pleased the footpath can be reopened safely.”

One comment has been registered in support, while consultees, Walmer Town Council and Historic England, have offered no objections to the scheme.