Mechanics' owner challenge to council (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Mechanics' owner challenge to council
6:50pm Friday 29th January 2010 in News
Mechanics’ Institute owner Mathew Singh
PUT your money where your mouth is – that is the message from Mathew Singh, the owner of the Mechanics’, after claims that the building could be legally prised from his hands.
The businessman said last night that although the Mechanics’ is not on the market he is accepting offers.
On Thursday the Adver published comments by David Potter, the council’s head of planning, who said that Mr Singh had three months to secure the building’s future before the the authority put a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on the building.
Mr Potter said that it would cost about £1.5m to update the building to an acceptable standard.
He also said that if Mr Singh missed one deadline in that time the council would reclaim ownership.
However, Mr Singh does not believe it has to come to that point.
He said: “I have repeatedly offered this building to the council but they have always said no to me.
“I am struggling with this because I am here ready to be negotiated with.
“Last year when the council office space lease in Premier House, in Station Road ran out I personally asked Councillor Bluh, the leader of the council, if he wanted to then use the Mechanics’ instead.
“He categorically said no – even though the south side of the building is complete.”
Mr Singh also said that he had sought advice from other councils and colleagues since the article and said many found it ‘very odd’ that a council officer such as Mr Potter would speak out on the matter.
He added: “I would like to know why it is acceptable for a council officer to make statements concerning my case in the newspaper.
“How can I get fair treatment now? I will let the people of Swindon decide whether this three month deadline has anything to do with the upcoming council elections.”
Mr Singh said he was currently looking at whether he will be able to finish the works expected of him.
The council has yet to comment.
Comments(38)
Janais is back
says...
7:10pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I Too
says...
7:17pm Fri 29 Jan 10
The Engager
says...
7:31pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I Too wrote:Hmm were you one of the Councillors that said 'NO' by any chance ?
“He categorically said no – even though the south side of the building is complete.”
?
What's complete?
It would be a bit draughty, to say the least.
This bloke couldn't lie straight in bed
Only one thing never adds up about the mechanics, what the council says and what it does !
Grimwald
says...
7:52pm Fri 29 Jan 10
Not much changes, the Tories are no different and fritter away our money on Big Weekends Wi-fi Canals and twiddly bits which are nothing more than vanity projects for our illustrious leader Rod Bluh.
Grimwald
says...
7:54pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I Too
says...
7:56pm Fri 29 Jan 10
7:31pm Fri 29 Jan 10
"Hmm were you one of the Councillors that said 'NO' by any chance ?
"
You've obviously never read any of my previous posts ;-)
Bobby Bee
says...
8:02pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I think he/she might not be flattered by that description.
I Too
says...
8:04pm Fri 29 Jan 10
"Only one thing never adds up about the mechanics, what the council says and what it does !"
I totally agree. I doubt very much, that they will attempt to CPO the building.
I have often stated, that you know when a councillor is lying, because you can see their lips moving.
Unfortunately Mr Singh is no different.
He stated, at council meetings, that he wanted what's best for Swindon. Then he indicated, on television that he doesn't give a stuff, and doesn't wish to communicate or compromise.
Let's face it, he is an estate agent.
This charade is probably little more than a clash of egos, between the council and the owner.
Nothing will change
Grimwald
says...
8:04pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I Too wrote:so I Too one minute you are for the Council the next you are against. You are obviously as confused as a typical Swindon Borough Councillor, unless of course you are one?
The Engager, swindon says...
7:31pm Fri 29 Jan 10
"Hmm were you one of the Councillors that said 'NO' by any chance ?
"
You've obviously never read any of my previous posts ;-)
I Too understand the Engager's confusion about your posting.
yeti
says...
8:12pm Fri 29 Jan 10
Janais is back wrote:they'd probably be disgusted by the councils lack of ambition for the last 20 years.
I wonder what Brunel, Collett, Stanier, Dean, Gooch and more latterly David Murray-John would have to say about all this?
what have they done to improve the town in that time?
they are an absolute disgrace ,and have been for years
The Engager
says...
8:21pm Fri 29 Jan 10
yeti wrote:Brunel, collet stanier had nothing to do with the mechanics but Armstrong gooch and rea will be spinning in their graves....
Janais is back wrote:they'd probably be disgusted by the councils lack of ambition for the last 20 years.
I wonder what Brunel, Collett, Stanier, Dean, Gooch and more latterly David Murray-John would have to say about all this?
what have they done to improve the town in that time?
they are an absolute disgrace ,and have been for years
The Engager
says...
8:23pm Fri 29 Jan 10
I Too wrote:I do apologise ; )
The Engager, swindon says...
7:31pm Fri 29 Jan 10
"Hmm were you one of the Councillors that said 'NO' by any chance ?
"
You've obviously never read any of my previous posts ;-)
yeti
says...
8:31pm Fri 29 Jan 10
The Engager wrote:no.but they played a part in our history.our current lot are useless
yeti wrote:Brunel, collet stanier had nothing to do with the mechanics but Armstrong gooch and rea will be spinning in their graves....Janais is back wrote: I wonder what Brunel, Collett, Stanier, Dean, Gooch and more latterly David Murray-John would have to say about all this?they'd probably be disgusted by the councils lack of ambition for the last 20 years. what have they done to improve the town in that time? they are an absolute disgrace ,and have been for years
Grimwald
says...
8:39pm Fri 29 Jan 10
Ever thought of standing as an Independent? No whips of party loyalties here and the chance to actually do something for your constituents and the town as a whole.
yeti
says...
9:04pm Fri 29 Jan 10
wouldn't want to do it either, if truth be told.
say it how it is
says...
9:13pm Fri 29 Jan 10
Swindon born n bred
says...
9:24pm Fri 29 Jan 10
It is my belief that current legislation demands that rooms for habitation have to have windows so, following this definition - the South side is not yet ready.
I'd love an invite to look around and take some pictures - come on Mr Singh, how about it?
Oh, don't worry - I'm not holding my breath
johndawson
says...
11:57pm Fri 29 Jan 10
you said you offered it back to the council but for how much, how about letting the people of swindon know and I bet it will not be for what you got it for. You never know the people of Swindon might be able to raise the finance from various bodies.I have heard millions supposedly spent on it, but I have been watching this for a long time now and I dont thnk it cost that much for blue sheets to be put on the roof. There is only one thing that should be done with this building.....total resoration to as it was well before it was left to rot and messed about with. THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF SWINDON SO LET US MAKE THE CHOICE IN A VOTE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS !!!!
jack the rippler
says...
12:39am Sat 30 Jan 10
SwinKen
says...
12:48am Sat 30 Jan 10
It was ugly when it was new, it is ugly now. You can not polish a turd. If you truly made a vote into this subject (and by that I mean not the self centred ego nut jobs that think they speak for the town) the lack of votes and interest would truly show how little the town actually cares about this bloody stupid pointless building let the current owner do as he wishes and be done with it.
ListenToReason
says...
12:57am Sat 30 Jan 10
PS: These lot at SBC promised the old College "eyesore" in Town would be demolished "at the very latest" by the end of March 2009. Is this another of the (in)famous failed promises?
SBC = Useless.
PS: Canal?
SBC = Useless.
jack the rippler
says...
1:25am Sat 30 Jan 10
SwinKen wrote:bomb the building? You can't say that. Next thing you know Manchester Road is smoking with anthrax by people who think bin laden is living there.
Some one do us all a favour and just bloody bomb this stupid building. For god sake its always the same all talk talk talk talk talk and a whole lot of nothing as per usual. It was ugly when it was new, it is ugly now. You can not polish a turd. If you truly made a vote into this subject (and by that I mean not the self centred ego nut jobs that think they speak for the town) the lack of votes and interest would truly show how little the town actually cares about this bloody stupid pointless building let the current owner do as he wishes and be done with it.
umpcah
says...
7:50am Sat 30 Jan 10
mrsdoubtfire
says...
7:59am Sat 30 Jan 10
Mechanics Institue looks "no" different to me when I've gone past it. Wonders how much truth is passing Mr Singh's lips as well, over how much work has been done. It is an eyesore, but I don't agree it should be turned into apartments. Just more availability of housing to immigrants and those on benefits. As for SBC taking it over, where's the funding coming from? There are too many run-down places in Swindon, some that have been empty for a year or more. This town is vastly becoming one "big" eyesore.
Wurzellly
says...
9:00am Sat 30 Jan 10
yeti wrote:This is just typical of yeti's type. Ever so quick to moan and complain. Be it his manager, his employer, or local government .... moan moan moan. Yet this lazy good for nothing blight on our society is not prepared to lift a finger or contribute. No he would rather take take take. Shame on you boy.
i wouldn't have time to do the job.
wouldn't want to do it either, if truth be told.
Grimwald
says...
11:51am Sat 30 Jan 10
mrsdoubtfire wrote:Hey Mrs are you saying the Degeneration Twins Messrs Bluh and Young are not doing a very good job then?
Rofl @ Captain Sensible.
Mechanics Institue looks "no" different to me when I've gone past it. Wonders how much truth is passing Mr Singh's lips as well, over how much work has been done. It is an eyesore, but I don't agree it should be turned into apartments. Just more availability of housing to immigrants and those on benefits. As for SBC taking it over, where's the funding coming from? There are too many run-down places in Swindon, some that have been empty for a year or more. This town is vastly becoming one "big" eyesore.
malctg
says...
1:14pm Sat 30 Jan 10
mrsdoubtfire
says...
1:59pm Sat 30 Jan 10
mrsdoubtfire
says...
2:02pm Sat 30 Jan 10
KellyATM
says...
2:19pm Sat 30 Jan 10
Janais is back
says...
1:40pm Sun 31 Jan 10
Jock Strap
says...
5:50pm Sun 31 Jan 10
Janais is back wrote:Who gives a monkey's they're all as dead as the Mechronics Destitute - do us all a favour -Nuke it!
I wonder what Brunel, Collett, Stanier, Dean, Gooch and more latterly David Murray-John would have to say about all this?
Mum's The Word
says...
10:02am Mon 1 Feb 10
My Mechanics Group
http://www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=16
096720316
and of course the official site which you should join as priority to my one
http://www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=61
56336388&ref=ts
malctg
says...
1:12pm Mon 1 Feb 10
I Too
says...
7:53pm Mon 1 Feb 10
8:04pm Fri 29 Jan 10
"
so I Too, one minute you are for the Council the next you are against. You are obviously as confused as a typical Swindon Borough Councillor, unless of course you are one?
I Too, understand the Engager's confusion about your posting.
"
I don't see your point, Grimwald.
The majority of my posts are against SBC. I have a very low opinion of them.
However, on this topic, I would like to see The Mechanics' returned to the public. Therefore I think CPOing the building is the way to go.
Please explain how agreeing with only one SBC policy makes me a councillor.
Not being a councillor, or belonging to any political party, means that I can occasionally agree with a council policy, even if I disagree with the majority of them. I don't have to follow a party agenda.
Having said that, with regards to the CPO, I'll believe it, if it happens, but not before.
I Too
says...
8:22pm Mon 1 Feb 10
1:12pm Mon 1 Feb 10
"
Why are there all these personal irrevelant comments appearing here. We are suppose to be commenting on The State of the 'Mechanics Institute' and the threat of this Historic building being saved or lost. So please get back on track
"
Okay Foureyed Poet. I'll give it a go.
Some people regard The Mechanics' as a once beautiful building. Others view it as nothing more than an eyesore.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Regardless of individual opinions, of the appearance of the building,
I'm pretty sure EVERYONE will agree that society has slid downhill at an alarming rate.
The Mechanics' was never just a building (ugly or otherwise). It was always the flagship of the community of Swindon, striving towards a common goal.
That goal was to make Swindon a pleasant place to live.
It began its mission when times were much harder than modern times, people were less educated, and the working classes were much poorer, yet Swindon (not the GWR or Chamber of Commerce) managed to fund it, get it built, and then benefit from its reforms.
Its historic achievements should be embraced as our heritage.
Surely that must still be in the interest of everyone (except Mr Singh and past generations of SBC perhaps?)
malctg
says...
10:16pm Mon 1 Feb 10
I Too says...
6:55pm Fri 29 Jan 10
?
What's complete?
It would be a bit draughty, to say the least.
This bloke couldn't lie straight in bed