Application hopes to revitalise 'at-risk' Assize Court in Devizes
It's set to become the new home of Wiltshire Museum by the end of the decade
Bosses at Wiltshire Museum are readying a major application which is hoped to revitalise a derelict building in Devizes.
They're calling today's news a 'major milestone' as a planning form's being submitted to Wiltshire Council outlining their idea to bring the Grade II* 'at-risk' Assize Court back to life.
Next summer, they're hoping to submit their application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund - as they work to make the project a reality.
The idea is to transform the building into a new home for the Wiltshire Museum.
There's a free online briefing session tonight at 8pm which you can access via the Museum's website.
It's all part of the 'Assizes for Devizes: Unlocking Wiltshire's Stories' project, which is the brainchild of Wiltshire Museum and the Devizes Assize Court Trust.
They've already been in receipt of initial funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £300,748 - which they were given last June.
Ever since, they've been working on the project's two-year 'Development Phase' alongside architects, Purcell, to bring together a 'shared vision' for the new site.
The hope is to make it Wiltshire's 'cultural and community destination', with the plans seeing new learning and event spaces, as well as new galleries, a national-standard event space and a cafe.
Alongside their application for extra cash from the National Lottery, they're also going to work at seeing extra support philanthropists and benefactors - and the hope is that work on the building will start in 2026, with the aim to open the it in 2030.
Clare Phillips, Lead Architect at Purcell, said: “We have all enjoyed the collaborative process of unlocking the potential of the former Assize Courts to create a welcoming and inclusive new home for the internationally significant Wiltshire Museum collection.
"The project is very important because it restores the impressive Grecian style building designed by Thomas Henry Wyatt, which is in very poor condition, and brings it back into community use as part of the sharing and celebrating of Wiltshire’s stories.”
Peter Troughton, Chair of the Devizes Assize Court Trust, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in our project to restore the Devizes Assize Court and bring it back for the people of Devizes for community use.
"The Trust is very grateful for the support we have had so far. There is still a long road ahead of us, but to see our vision of a revitalised building one step closer to fruition is fantastic.”.
A consultation's to open for the public to make comment via the Wiltshire Council website.