PLANS to demolish the crumbling Locarno are an absolute last resort, according to the landowner.

Gael Mackenzie has spoken for the first time about the application to Swindon Council asking for permission to demolish the listed building, which was made through site developer Steve Rosier.

Mr Mackenzie, who has been trying to secure the building’s future since 1999, said he hoped plans to redevelop the historic building – which have already been submitted to the council – will be accepted this time.

He will only knock it down if another solution is not found.

“As the owner of the Locarno building and the Old Town Hall, I can confirm that myself and Swindon Council – the other landowner in respect of the land that surrounds my ownership – two of the parties in the proposed tripartite development partnership – continue to have encouraging and collaborative discussion with the developer Bach Homes,” he said.

“We are both highly optimistic that this ongoing discussion will lead to a positive outcome and that a start on the redevelopment of the Locarno, Old Town Hall and surrounding land will be possible within the near future.

“At this time I would also like to confirm for the avoidance of doubt that the submission of an application to demolish the Locarno is not a threat – merely an absolute last resort in the unlikely event that the three parties cannot find an adequately equitable development solution for this historic site.”

Plans to turn the building into a 117-room hotel, which were rejected by the council in February last year, have been resubmitted to the council as well as the application to knock it down.

Yesterday, the Adver reported that a petition has been launched by Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott) calling on the council to work with Mr Mackenzie to find a viable use for the building.

Site developer Steve Rosier, of Bach Homes Locarno, said the council contacted Mr Mackenzie last week and they have had several meetings about the future of the site.

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