Plans to refurbish Royal Wootton Bassett's Manor House have been put up for public consultation.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council wants to hear from the public following a decision at an extraordinary meeting held on Thursday, October 20.

The council purchased the property, which is located next to the police station, from Wiltshire Council.

It was once home to the Quartermasters Regiment in the Second World War and Wootton Basset Magistrates' Court before it closed in 2000.

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The town council wants re-develop Manor House to provide much-needed dedicated community space, an exhibition room, as well as new offices for the local authority.

If the plans get off the ground, the project will cost £1.8 million, with construction expected to take place between 12-15 months.

To finance the development, the town council would use £700,000 from allocated reserves as well as seeking to borrow £1.1 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

This would be paid back at a rate of £79,000 per annum over a 25-year period with fixed interest rates.

Cllr Nic Hughes, former Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “Manor House is a major investment for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, which will offer a multi-functional facility to our staff and our residents. 

“The space available in the building will allow us a huge amount of flexibility in the services that we can offer and provide a real Community Hub for our townsfolk.”

Cllr Andrew Matthews, chair of the Manor House working group, revenue and resources committee, added: “Manor House will be a great community asset. It will provide much-needed community space, modern accessible offices and a meeting room for the council.”

The public consultation closes on December 21.