Mechanics' new listing is granted

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

SWINDON Council's planning committee has given the green light to grant the Mechanics Institute listed building status.

The New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust won the approval after sub-mitting plans for the site.

And the trust is now confident that this is the first step in their fight to gain control of the building, which they say would serve the needs of the entire community.

At last night's planning committee meeting, councillors voted that the application should be recommended to the Secretary of State for approval.

Martha Parry, co-ordinator of the trust, is thrilled at the result.

"This is the first concrete step," she said.

"It means we are on our way.

"What this means for the trust is that it frees up some money for us to finalise our business plan.

"We want to look for some funding, maybe from a lottery grant and then look to see if we can make this building pay its own way."

Currently Mathew Singh owns the building.

Earlier this week Mr Singh withdrew his application for a hotel, homes and a health club in the northern part of the building.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, who is working with Mr Singh, explained that another application would be submitted.

"Mr Singh wanted to come up with a compromise proposal which people would be more happy with," said Mr Grant.

He also said that work would start on the southern part of the building in December or January.

The New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust ultimately want to take ownership of the building from Mr Singh.

"We have two options," said Mrs Parry.

"We can either negotiate with Mr Singh because the building cannot be left as it is for much longer or we can apply for a compulsory purchase order. This can be obtained from either this planning committee or from central government."

Even though they do not own the building the trust is able to submit proposals for the building.

The trust thinks their plans will benefit more people in Swindon than previous applica-tions.

Their plans include offices for community groups, a concourse to encourage people to walk through, a café, a cinema, shops, conference facilities, a youth venue, a restaurant and a theatre.

Lyndsay Scanlan

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