D day for the Mechanics' - Thursday 26 February

The theatre flytower at the centre of the Mechanics', located in the middle of the railway village, would be removed and replaced by a blue glass slab

Central area councillor David Nash has written a stinging criticism of the proposals to turn the Grade II* listed Mechanics' Institute in Swindon town centre into a hotel and leisure club and challenged Swindon Council's planning committee to decline the application when it considers the plans. Click here to read his view.

The planning committee meets on Thursday to consider the application by Forefront Estates. In the interest of balance we invited the present owner of the Mechanics', Matthew Singh of Forefront Estates, to respond and explain how the crumbling structure can be given a new life and why his project is a viable proposition for Swindon. Although he has had a month to write, we have not heard from him.

So here is another impression of what the 9 storey hotel might look like from the front, based on the plans submitted to Swindon Council's planning committee, to compliment the side view shown with Coun Nash's article.

In 2002 English Heritage, which awarded the Grade II* classification to the Mechanics' in 1999, in recognition of its contribution to the cultural and community development of the town during the major growth of the railway works between 1850 and the 1960s. It has been on the 'At Risk' register for several years.

In 2002 English Heritage received a report assessing that the building had no commercially viable uses. In February, English Heritage expressed reservations as to whether the Forefront Estates renovation proposals were appropriate. However the planning committee has announced a special meeting for 26 February before receiving an assessment of the hotel application from English Heritage.

Planning committee chairwoman, Coun Lisa Hawkes, said the committee would consider the detailed design, the effect on the residents of the railway village, traffic and car parking issues. She hoped that a report from English Heritage would be available.

The council officers report recommends approval of the proposal for a ten floor hotel clad in blue glass accommodating 118 bedrooms which be positioned in the centre of the building after the 1930s brick flytower over the theatre is removed. The south part of the building would be converted into 9 apartments, with restaurant, gallery and exhibition room. The plans also show a gym, swimming pool and spa in the north part of the building, with a multi-purpose lecture, conference and film hall in the restored theatre.

Martha Parry of the New Mechanics' Institution Trust, which has battled for seven years to save the building for community use, said it was wrong to push a decision through without full consultation. "We are dismayed at the rush to judgement. Everybody who has contacted us is revolted by the hotel plan and cannot believe how council officials are so out of touch with public opinion.

"We can only hope that 8 out of the 15 councillors can see that this proposal is completely out of character and that the future of the town is at stake. This is a watershed decision for Swindon. It's a case of the emperor's new clothes. If this proposal goes through, it will destroy the heritage value in the Mechanics'; you might as well tear it down."

In addition to the New Mechanics' Institution Trust, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Ancient Monument Society and the Theatres Trust have all lodged objections to the application.

Ultimately English Heritage has to be persuaded that the hotel proposal is a good one for the Mechanics'.

www.new-mechanics.com