Two farm cottages that have been left derelict and vandalised for years can be knocked down, the council has confirmed. 

When Swindon Borough  Council and its partners in the Wichelstowe scheme first envisaged the new development to the Southwest of the town centre, the two Southleaze Cottages were intended to be kept intact and remodelled as a community centre.

The buildings have now been left empty for several years, and have suffered vandalism and arson.

In its application to its own planning department, Swindon Borough Council said: “The resulting damage of the fire has caused the roof structure to collapse rendering the buildings unsafe and beyond economic repair.”

In its request to demolish the buildings, it added: “The existing grassed areas, trees and hedges are to remain untouched by the works.

"On completion of the demolitions all spoil and waste will be removed from site, all excavations will be backfilled with hardcore level with existing ground levels.”

The application says that public rights of way passing the site have been closed to prevent public access to the site, and fencing will prevent walkers and dog walkers getting near the demolition work.

There were no objections from Wroughton parish Council, or the highways officer, but the council’s conservation officer said the demolition would mean the complete loss of ‘buildings of local interest’ which would be classified as a heritage asset.

The planning officer’s report, however, said previously there was planning permission for developing the site that has since expired, and the buildings would have been excluded from demolition.

It went on: “A wider range of considerations, including the matters identified by the conservation officer, were available to the local planning authority at that time. This is no longer the case.

“The current application is to determine whether the prior approval of the local planning authority is required as to the method of demolition and the proposed restoration of the site.”

It said that there were appropriate measures to rehome bats should they be found to be roosting on site, and the applicant was aware of needing the right licence from Natural England.

It concluded: “There being no objection from the local highway authority or the environmental health officer, the method of demolition and proposed restoration of the site pending its future redevelopment is considered to be acceptable.”

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