PLANS to redevelop one of Swindon's most distinctive landmarks could be completed within two years - but only with the help of English Heritage.

And these latest 3D images show just what the Mechanics' Institute could look like if the man who owns the building finally wins his four-year fight to transform it from its current dilapidated state.

Mathew Singh wants to attach a 104-bedroom hotel tower to the Mechanics' building, which itself will include a small independent cinema and art gallery, as well as bars, restaurants and conference facilities.

The new development would be completely open to the public and local community groups and charities would be invited to use the arts theatre and meeting rooms for a minimal charge.

Scepticism has surrounded Mr Singh's involvement with the Mechanics' ever since he bought it in early 2003.

But he insists he has never been involved in the project so he can make a quick buck. He told the Adver that any development would become a "legacy" and be put in trust for his family.

Plans could go before Swindon Council's planning committee as early as next month, with Mr Singh revealing that building work would begin immediately if the development is given the thumbs up by the council.

He anticipates that the work will take 18 months.

However, Mr Singh says a lack of feedback from English Heritage could bring serious delays to the project.

He says he is still waiting for English Heritage to add conditions to certain elements of his plans and has had no constructive talks for three months.

"I think the plans could go before a January or February committee," Mr Singh said. "But the council has been waiting for English Heritage.

"They have created a smokescreen by saying they need more details and they need this and they need that.

"But I need them to tell me what they are not happy with and what the conditions are so I can deal with them.

"I have spent a lot of money - a small fortune - on drawings and I would rather spend the money on the building rather than fees and that is what I am determined to do."

Mr Singh says the four-star hotel development would include five-star service and is a necessity to make the plan self-sustaining.

He said: "It is self-financing because if you cannot make it work financially there is no point continuing - we want it to run for years and years.

"We have kept the marble staircase from the Mechanics' building and everything the council wanted we have kept.

"I'm keeping everything restored apart from the flytower, which is a 1930s building that is falling down anyway."

The estimated cost of the development is between £15m and £20m.

Mr Singh has also spent £250,000 making sure the Mechanics' building is watertight and safe. But despite missing out on several multi-million pound property deals due to his involvement with the Mechanics', Mr Singh remains committed to getting his grand plan off the ground.

He said: "I'm leaving a legacy to my kids. The building will be put in trust for my family's future because I want it to be a success for many years.

"The current council administration has been forward-thinking and Anne Snelgrove has been supportive.

"However, if nothing happens with the building it is English Heritage's fault and the building will be left to rot because I'm not going to sell it.

"If English Heritage tell me what to do, I will do it. They are not giving me any advice whatsoever.

"I have only had one meeting with them this year and that is it. If we get planning permission we can start building straight away and I expect it to be finished somewhere in the region of 18 months to two years." And South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove backed Mr Singh's calls for English Heritage to work with the relevant parties so a speedy solution can be reached.

"I think we need English Heritage to make its comments and to say why it is holding this up as quickly as possible because the building is fragile," said Mrs Snelgrove.

"If English Heritage has concerns then it should share these concerns with all of us, including Mathew, the council and me so we can work together to find a solution which is right for the building and right for the town's heritage.

"I have written to English Heritage to ask for its views."

Buildinghistory

THE Mechanics' Institute building was rated as among the most vulnerable in the country earlier this year when it was named in English Heritage's Register of Buildings at Risk.

The institute was given an A' rating of being at "immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric" without a plan for its future.

The Mechanics' foundation stone was laid in 1854 and the institute itself was set up a decade before with the object of "disseminating useful knowledge and encouraging rational amusement amongst all classes of people employed by the Great Western Railway".

The Mechanics' building was officially opened on May 1, 1885 and soon became a focal point for the railway community.

The building featured a theatre, an assembly hall, a coffee room, council room, dining room, washing baths, as well as the large library with a reading room.

Since the railway works closed in 1986 the massive building, which was extended over the years, has fallen into disrepair.

In February 1999 the Department of Culture, Media and Sport awarded the building a listing of Grade II thanks to the hard work of the New Mechanics' Institution.

This grading put the building in the top six per cent of all listed buildings and in 2003 it was bought by Mr Singh.

Concern about the tower

ENGLISH Heritage has revealed a large stumbling block in developer Mathew Singh's proposals to breathe new life into the Mechanics' Institute - the 104-bedroom hotel.

In a statement to the Advertiser, it says it cannot support the plans in their current form.

The statement said: "The Mechanics' Institution is a Grade II listed building forming a major part of the Swindon Railway Village, both architecturally and socially.

"English Heritage has been in discussions with the owner for a number of years to find a sustainable future for the building.

"English Heritage was consulted on the application submitted to Swindon Council to redevelop the Grade II listed building at risk by letter on the August 17 and responded with a letter of advice on September 26.

"English Heritage considered that the application was deficient in terms of the level of information in the submission and that the proposed tower would have an adverse impact on the architecture and historic interest of the listed building.

"English Heritage, therefore, could not recommend approval of the scheme to the council.

"English Heritage is still interested in working with the owner to find an alternative solution and viable future for the building."

"Notbeneficial"

THE New Mechanics' Institution Preservation Trust has said Mr Singh's plans to develop the Mechanics' do not go far enough in terms of detail.

After seeing a display of the plans back in August, trust co-ordinator Martha Parry, pictured, told the Adver that the project would be too intrusive to the surrounding area. She said there were no details of the materials to be used or the construction methods.

She said: "This is going to be a 104-bedroom hotel.

"Where is the parking going to be for those 104 guests? They are not all going to come in by rail and, if they are going to arrive by taxi, where are the taxis going to pull up?

"The plans are intrusive and not beneficial to the area in any way."