MORE details have been released on plans to bring a famous pub in Swindon's Railway Village back to life.

The Cricketer’s Arms is a Grade II listed building in the town's Railway Conservation Area and forms one of four corner buildings in Emlyn Square.

Closed since 2015, developers want to repair the building and turn it into four flats, as well as a retail unit and community centre.

A new scheme announced by the Mechanics' Institution Trust previously wanted to include a bed and breakfast, but the flats were deemed to be more appropriate due to the "high servicing and staff costs" of a B&B.

The applicants say that the plans would provide a new use for the building which would promote its use by the local community and ensure its long-term maintenance and care.

If plans are approved, a community centre and retail outlet would occupy the first floor, and four flats would be on the upper floors, which the developers say "would be consistent with the spirit and ethos of both the original railway village development and use of the building as originally intended."

This includes the reinstatement of an original ground-floor cottage entrance from Emlyn Square, and the replacement of the principal shopfront entrance doors and vestibule from Emlyn Square with ones "more in-keeping with the character of the building and conservation area".

The planning application adds that the proposals also consider the ongoing work within the Heritage Action zone, and the future repair of the Mechanics' Institute as "fundamental components of the present and future potential of the building".

The heritage statement concludes: "As the Cricketer's has been vacant since 2015 and is subsequently in a poor state of repair, it is vulnerable to break-in, theft, arson and other activity which could further compromise its significance.

"These proposals have been carefully designed to sensitively repair and conserve the building whilst providing a new, viable and long-term use which would encourage the long-term maintenance and care of the heritage asset."

Planning records state the building was erected as part of the western phase of the railway village in 1846, and was one of eight shop premises designed to face Emlyn Square and serve the Railway Village.

Public house occupancy records also show that the building was used as a pub - with homes above it - from 1859 until its closure.

The neighbouring cottage was incorporated into the pub in the late 19th century at ground floor.

In 2019 the building was leased to the Mechanics’ Institution Trust from Swindon Borough Council.

The planning documents say that the condition of the building is "decoratively quite poor, although structurally the building is in a reasonably good condition".