PHASE one of Forward Swindon’s plan to turn the Carriage Works into a hub of tech firms, start-ups and the creative industries will get under way in May.

But more than 700 people have now signed a petition calling for it to be used for an altogether different purpose.

The campaigners want to see plans for a multi-million pound purpose- built museum and gallery abandoned, with the facility housed inside the Carriage Works instead.

The petition is addressed to the leader of the council, the town’s two MPs and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Ana Kelly, who launched the petition, said: “Forward Swindon’s plans are exciting in as much as they show that Swindon Borough Council can and will be able to invest in the vast Carriage Works.”

“The works are massive and could attract other complementary uses, which would mean that the gallery and museum could sustain itself by having offices and other rented facilities nearby.

“The footfall is also much more likely to be high in such a good location near to bus, rail and other shopping facilities.

“I feel that all of the organisations should be working together to form a well-consulted vision.

“This means everybody, including the Mechanics’ Trust, Forward Swindon and the heritage bodies – all sitting and compromising.”

By involving the Heritage Lottery Fund in their debate, the petitioners have caught the attention of both Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust.

For the project to succeed as currently envisioned, the HLF will have to be persuaded of its merits when a formal funding bid is submitted towards the end of this year.

With public support a key measure in determining how likely a bid is to succeed, the team behind the new museum project will be keen to calm fears and get the community onboard as soon as possible.

Two members of that team have now taken the unusual step of penning open letters to the public in an effort to allay concerns and boost support.

The chairman of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Robert Hiscox, wrote: “I was asked in 2013 to help Swindon Borough Council achieve its ambition to build a new museum and art gallery. I accepted as I was intrigued by the challenge to transform the town.

“After much consultation and study, a location was chosen in the heart of town in an area next to the Wyvern Theatre which had been designated as the new Cultural Quarter. This was, and remains, a central feature of the masterplan for Swindon.

“The Old Town was a typical Wiltshire market town on the hill when in the 1840s Isambard Kingdom Brunel bought 150 acres below to build his engines as Swindon was halfway between Bristol and London.

“I was given a tour and shown how little thought had gone into building between the old and the new towns when they were joined together. I absolutely agreed with the masterplan’s idea of a Cultural Quarter in the centre of town to give it a heart and a link between Old Town and the development around and beyond the station.

“That was the spur, with the added bonus of housing the current museum’s splendid collections of art and archaeology in an iconic building which would draw visitors from far and wide. The evidence of economic boost to other towns through building a new museum and gallery was compelling.

“Indeed, a strong cultural infrastructure is essential to ensuring continued economic growth and regeneration.

“Swindon is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has incredibly good rail and road connections with give easy access to millions of people. But living nearby I seldom used to visit the centre of town, and I know of companies who have not based their businesses in the town despite its great advantages due to the lack of cultural life and ambience.

“The capital investment by Swindon Borough Council into this new museum and gallery would be rewarded handsomely by increased economic activity to the benefit of all, but especially to the council (which belongs to the people of Swindon) which owns a considerable property portfolio.

“Business rents and rates will increase, shops and restaurants will flourish with visitors and locals revelling in the smell of great coffee, the taste of delicious food and the sensory delights of beautiful and interesting things to see and experience.

“The revival of the town will encourage future investment in other heritage assets and re-position Swindon as a thriving cultural concern - a place where people will love to live, work and visit.

“Come to the current museum to see the model of a possible new design and imagine a thriving square in the heart of Swindon with the new building providing a vibrant community centre, encouraging a real sense of pride to the people of Swindon and great pleasure to visitors from far and wide.”

Last year the Trust appointed a new director and chief executive to provide leadership and expertise as the ambitious project moved forward to the next stage.

Hadrian Ellory-van Dekker is a former head of collections and chief curator at the Science Museum and brings with him many years of relevant experience.

Responding to news of the petition, Hadrian said: “We should preserve our heritage – and build the new museum.

“Given my previous role at the Science Museum, I sympathise completely with those who believe passionately that we should preserve our heritage.

“However, am equally passionate that for the good of Swindon – and for the good of its heritage - the trust’s museum and art gallery project must be a stunning new building on the site next to the Wyvern Theatre.

“Other towns across the UK that have invested in culture in their town centres have seen substantial uplift in both their daytime and night-time economies.

“Our new museum will be an inspiring building that puts new life into the town centre, rather than around the Outlet Centre, creating a Cultural Quarter with new facilities that will attract visitors from within the town and beyond.

“Like my trustees, I believe that realistic and sustainable plans for buildings including the Mechanics’ Institute and the Carriage Works should and can delivered.

“But if we try to force either of those buildings into a use for which they are unsuitable we won’t be supporting their long term future. Quite the opposite.

“Surely we shouldn’t approach this is if there is only one possible outcome - either preserving our heritage or building a landmark museum and art gallery.

“Swindon’s a town that exists because innovative people dared to invest in an exciting future, thought big and built the railway works. We too can be daring, think big – and achieve both.

“In the meantime, we are committed to delivering a first-class museum and art gallery on the site adjacent to the Wyvern Theatre.” and to start the economic growth that will make the funding of other projects a reality in the future.”

The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust will be holding and information evening on April 19 at New College’s Phoenix Theatre.

It will explore the key questions around the site choice and progress with the project as a whole.

Attendees are being promised answers to the crucial questions around why Swindon needs a new museum and art gallery in the town centre and how a new building can ‘generate strong economic growth while becoming the beating heart of our community’.

Issues around funding will also be explored along with a discussion about what will happen once the site is finally built.

Members of the Trust, including Director Hadrian Ellory-van Dekker, have pledged to “reveal all” on the evening.

Doors will open at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. There will be a 15 minute interval and the event will finish at 8.30pm.