At risk Apsley House in Swindon CAN be saved, says parish councillor
Linda Kasmaty has spoken-out after the historic building was placed on the national 'at risk' register
Last updated 28th Jul 2022
Greatest Hits Radio has been told Swindon's Apsley House can be saved and repurposed, despite sitting unused for more than two years.
Last month, the Grade II listed building was placed on the national 'at risk' register by Save Britain's Heritage (SAVE).
The charity says the Georgian site, which used to home Swindon's Museum and Art Gallery (MAG), faces an "uncertain" future.
According to SAVE's website, the register is intended to "raise awareness of forgotten buildings and ultimately to bring them to the attention of new owners or custodians who are able to repair them, return them to use and secure the buildings’ future".
'A listed building isn't necessarily a threat, it's an opportunity'
The Arts Council, which is funded by the government and National Lottery, last year identified Swindon as an area with low cultural engagement. The agency pledged to increase investment in the town between 2021 and 2024, to help creativity and culture flourish.
Linda Kasmaty is a Parish Councillor in Old Town and East Wichel, as well as being Chair of the Friends of Swindon MAG.
She's told us the building, which dates back to the 1830s, could help to provide the type of culture that is deemed to be lacking in Swindon.
"It would just be great if people could say: 'Let's go to Swindon for...' and it would be something cultural. It's possible, with a little bit of imagination and a bit of faith that people would come.
"People would love to put Swindon properly on the map, for the right reasons, because it is a great place to be. It just needs some enthusiasm and some energy going in there, rather than saying: 'Oh not fit for purpose, we have to close it down.
"A listed building isn't necessarily a threat, it's an opportunity. It's a fabulous building, it looks so good on the corner there," she added.
Ms Kasmaty believes the Bath Road site could be revitalised as a community centre, museum, cafe, art gallery, or a shop.
Could Apsley House become community owned?
Swindon Borough Council, which owns Apsley House, placed the building on sale earlier this summer.
Because the Old Town plot is an Asset of Community Value, local organisations receive first refusal to buy it.
Community groups have around two more weeks to decide if they want to trigger a moratorium.
A moratorium would give organisations a minimum of six months to bid to buy the property, while it is being marketed.
The Asset of Community Value status means the Council is unable to sell it to anyone else before this date.
However, the local authority says the process does not mean it has to sell the site to a community group, nor offer a discounted price.
'Apsley House holds a special place in the hearts of many local residents'
Councillor Keith Williams, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Finance and Commercialisation, said: "Apsley House holds a special place in the hearts of many local residents and we want to ensure it is brought back into use as soon as is practically possible.
"We have already had some interest, but will wait to hear from community groups and organisations in the first instance to see if they would want to trigger the moratorium as part of the sale process.
"The Grade II listing means Apsley House itself will be protected and I look forward to seeing what proposals come forward".