A PETITION has been launched to save the Locarno following an application to knock it down.

Land owner Gael Mackenzie has recently submitted an application to Swindon Council, through site developer Steve Rosier, asking permission to demolish the listed building.

After 10 years’ trying to secure its future, Mr Rosier said there was now no option than to propose new buildings on the site.

Mr Rosier, of Bach Homes Locarno, said they have also resubmitted a proposal to turn the building into a 117-room hotel. This plan was rejected by the council in February last year.

Now Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott) has started an online petition calling on the council to work with Mr Mackenzie to find a viable use for the historic building.

Coun Wood, who wants to see the site developed for mixed uses, plans to meet David Potter, the council’s director of planning and transport.

“This petition is about a show of strength of feeling from the population of Swindon to demonstrate to the council and owner how many people care about the issue,” he said.

“The popular perception out there is that the council haven’t been working hard enough with the owners of the building to find a viable use for the site.”

Among those planning to sign the petition are Garry Porter, 56, a retired RAF officer, of Rushey Platt. He said: “I haven’t lived in Swindon an awfully long time, but one thing I’ve been struck by is there are relatively few buildings of genuine heritage in the town.

“And it seems to me that when we’re talking about one of those very few, we should be doing everything we can to keep it rather than let it contribute to the planning blot across the town.”

Mr Rosier said the demolition application had achieved the desired effect – to bring things to a head and find a viable solution, rather than just drifting along.

He said: “I’m pleased there’s a petition and I will happily put my name to it.

“But in fairness to Swindon Council, they contacted Gael Mackenzie last week and we have had a few meetings and they’re proposing a couple of other meetings in the coming weeks to try to look at how can we get something designed on this site that we can get up and started in the next two years."

To sign the petition visit ipetitions.com/petition/ locarno/ or facebook.com/ SaveTheLocarno.