A key planning condition for the iconic renovation project was the repair of 348 linear metres of river wall.

Flood defences that date back to the 1850s are showing the ravages not only of tide and time, but of an infestation of Buddleia, which has overrun a significant stretch of their length.

Aggressive and invasive, this perennial shrub outcompetes native vegetation, taking a vice-like foothold in walls and causing deep, extensive damage.

Producing up to 10 million highly dispersible seeds each winter, once established Buddleia is extremely difficult to eradicate.

London-based property restoration experts Thomann-Hanry were enlisted to eliminate the Buddleia and rebuild the damaged river wall.

After cutting back the foliage, marine eco-safe herbicide has been applied, destroying an extensive dual root network that runs both horizontally and vertically across, through and behind the facing bricks.

Once the Buddleia has been removed and the delaminated and damaged bricks carefully cut away, the wall was sympathetically repaired using imperial size bricks to match the original.