THE plans for a new museum and art gallery will have to be looked at again before a new bid for cash can be submitted, the council leader has said.

Yesterday, it emerged Swindon had not succeeded in its attempt to secure £12.4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project.

The proposal is for the new site to be located at the Princes Street car park, near the Wyvern Theatre, and will house the council’s impressive collection of 20th century art and ceramics.

While it was accepted the collection was worthy of a better home than its current site in Bath Road, the HLF felt a better long-term business case was needed, which includes looking at alternatives to the plans currently being proposed.

Council leader David Renard said he was not overly surprised by the decision, given it was the first time the bid had been put forward, but said he remains committed to getting a new museum and art gallery in the long run.

He said: “It has to be said we were not completely surprised by the decision. We were going up against a number of second and third-time bids who have had time to work and develop theirs.

“A lot of the bids were to renovate old buildings so perhaps that is the way they were looking this time.

“There were a lot of positives in what they have said to us but one thing they did say was for us to look at other possibilities. We conducted a detailed options appraisal before the bid went but we may have to go back to that.

“We will sit down with the HLF next month to discuss what we need to do but I remain committed to this project.”

One other aspect which worked against the council was that no plans were put forward for Apsley House, the site of the current museum.

Coun Renard expressed his frustration that this was a factor, after being initially told enough information had been supplied.

He said: “It has to be said we are a little bit perturbed with that. We raised this issue before the bid was put in and told it would not be a factor.

“But we will listen to the feedback. We are aware something will need to be done but as this is not likely to happen for up to four or five years we have plenty of time.”

Visit Wiltshire, which is responsible for increasing tourism in the region, say while it is disappointed with the decision it is pleased by the efforts and will assist with any further bids.

Its chief executive David Andrews said: “Over the last 20 years Wiltshire has fallen behind in terms of tourism so it is good to see this bid being put forward.

“Obviously we are disappointed with the outcome but it is good to see the council looking to invest in something which will boost tourism.”