THE latest plans for the Mechanics' Institute, which could see part of the 152-year-old building pulled down, have been met with opposition from people wanting to save the historic structure.

Mathew Singh, who owns the landmark building in the Railway Village, submitted his latest planning application yesterday.

The plans would see the north side of the structure, including the fly tower, torn down.

Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh said he was against any plans that resulted in the Grade II* listed building being knocked down.

Mr Bluh said although he thought a hotel would be a good use for the building, he hoped the whole of the Victorian structure could be saved.

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't want to see any demolition take place," he said.

"There is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed and it is not going to be an easy one to solve.

"If it is going to cost £20m to renovate, then anyone putting that kind of money in needs to know they'll get a return.

"People say it would be lovely to have a community building or theatre, but this is a big building.

"I think a hotel is about one of the only things going to provide a building like that with a solution for the future.

"There is no funding for anything else - £20m doesn't just fall out of the sky."

Mr Bluh spent yesterday in discussions with council officers and said he would be meeting Mr Singh today to try and find a way to keep the building intact.

Mr Singh applied for permission to convert the building into a 104-room hotel, cinema and art gallery complex last December.

He now thinks the whole north side of the building, which previously contained a theatre, needs to be knocked down.

"The north side is in a poor state and is slowly but surely falling down," Mr Singh told the Advertiser.

"The architects have said we will get a much better design if we demolish the whole north side and start from scratch."

English Heritage rejected the original application because the work would involve a substantial loss of historic fabric and have an adverse impact on the special architectural interest of the listed building.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said yesterday: "English Heritage has been in discussions with the owner of the Mechanics' Institute for a number of years to help find a sustainable future for the building.

"We were last consulted on proposals for the building in August 2006, and responded in September 2006. Since then the owner has not approached us for further advice.

"We have not received any proposal, formal or otherwise on this, and so cannot comment on how it might impact on the building."

Martha Parry, the co-ordinator of campaign group the New Mechanics' Trust, said: "If these plans go ahead, it could stop us getting the area made into a World Heritage Site.

"The trust has had its plans approved by English Heritage, but he still owns it.

"The reason they have said no to him is because he hasn't got any good ideas."