THE MAN behind the multi-million pound plans to transform the Locarno building and make it ‘the heartbeat of Old Town’ faced a grilling from members of the Civic Voice on Thursday night.

Developer Steve Rosier described the plans as 'aspirational' to around 40 members, the majority Old Town residents, who had gathered at the Central Community Centre to watch a presentation as Mr Rosier explained the £35million plans.

While the proposal to get the former Corn Exchange building back in use was welcomed, the big question was whether the Lawn gardens were still being considered as a space for car parking.

“There is nothing fixed and this is one option being considered,” Steve stressed to the members, as he also highlighted the benefits the development would bring to the local economy.

“It would be very scattered in little groups of two, four, six spaces. It could also potentially provide rear access parking to Christ Church and the Community Centre with gated entrance and access.

“And in considering it, I personally think it has considerable merits if you look beyond the natural fear and resistance to ‘oh dear putting parking on part of a 53 acre park’.

“What we need to do is an analysis of future parking requirements and do a masterplan of Old Town – my instinct is there is a shortfall of parking. This is one of the solutions.”

A show of hands from people said they would be open to the idea but five people said they were against it.

The thought of putting any parking in Lawn also caused one member to leave midway through the presentation.

“I feel very, very strongly the Lawns should be left as they are,” she said. “They are the closest thing Swindon has got to ancient sacred space and I will fight this.”

The crumbling building previously served as a market place, town hall for civic functions, as well as a wine merchant, roller-skating venue, cinema and the Locarno ballroom. It was later used as a bingo hall but has been derelict since 1984 and is now covered with a carpet of weeds and moss.

“It’s sad,” Steve added. “But also amazingly beautiful, despite it being derelict and nature trying to take it over. Can it be saved? Yes, structurally it is very sound.”

The planned development includes an 82-bed hotel, 85 apartments, five large restaurants, a small boutique three-screen cinema, a café, bistro, retail units and a new pedestrianised market square. A detailed proposal is to be submitted next year and it could be built by 2019.

HSBC and the masonic lodge buildings would be demolished and rebuilt and the clock tower restored.

One idea that sparked excitement was that the Sunken Garden would also be restored and a tearoom would be built overlooking it.

Steve also said ideally he would also like Wood Street to become pedestrianised, as well as the surrounding roads to become narrower to make it less car dominated. But that raised fears it would increase the heavy traffic coming from Marlborough Road.

One person also said the plans were “over-the-top” however Steve replied they were “aspirational” and would help Swindon to change its image into a Covent Garden inspired area with entertainment.