The former library in central Melksham could be demolished to make way for affordable, independent living apartments for older people.

Wiltshire Council’s residential development team has applied for permission to take down the old library and adjacent clinic building, which has most recently been used as a Chinese restaurant.

Additionally, the plans propose demolishing a wooden building at the rear of the site, known as the “education centre".

According to the application, getting rid of these buildings will prevent “dangerous” antisocial behaviour.

It states: “We are seeking permission to demolish these buildings, ahead of the development because we have become aware of significant anti-social behaviour on the site, including illegal entry into the buildings which have been secured, people climbing on the roofs, graffiti and signs of other anti-social behaviour on the site.

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The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: There has been "significant anti-social behaviour" on the site.

“A security company has been hired to discourage this activity, but only the demolition of the buildings, and securing of the site, will prevent this dangerous behaviour.”

A third building, Lowbourne House, would also be demolished should planning permission for the residential apartments be granted.

Also in Melksham, St Michael & All Angels Church have applied for permission to convert 11a Canon Square into a mix of community rooms, church administration and two apartments. 

The building is Grade II listed and currently contains four one-bedroom flats.  

It is located just opposite the church and, should the application be approved, would be used for community activities.

In other planning news, Wiltshire Council also received an application to convert the Anchor and Hope pub in Trowbridge into a home.

The pub is located on Frome Road and a supporting statement submitted along with the application claims that it is “no longer viable” and has been “dying a death for the last few years”.

It adds: “The social drinking that was prevalent in the 1970s, 80s and even the 1990s to a degree, has been killed off by cheap alcohol being sold in supermarkets etc and the fact that smoking was banned by the then prime minister Tony Blair.”

Wiltshire Council’s decision deadline is Tuesday, July 9.

Over on the outskirts of Corsham, the owners of the Grade II listed Rudloe Manor have applied for permission to construct a “traditional sunken swimming pool” in its south east garden.

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Rudloe Manor was built in the late 17th century and used by the RAF from 1935 to 1999.

It was vacant for 20 years until it was purchased by new owners in 2021, who, according to this application, are just over halfway through a five-year restoration program on the site.

Meanwhile, Wiltshire Council has approved the conversion of a 19th century Zion chapel in Lea, outside Malmesbury, into a home.

It was used as a place of worship until the end of 2021 and will now become a residential dwelling.

The building dates back to 1808 and there are burial grounds surrounding the site.

Nearby, in Royal Wootton Bassett, a proposal to convert a large residence into three separate homes has been given the go-ahead.

Timberdale House, located on the northern edge of the market town, will be transformed into one four-bedroom home and two two-bedroom apartments.

Finally, down in Westbury, Wiltshire Council has granted planning permission for the construction of five homes on land adjacent Cradlebridge House, at 140 Leigh Road.

The application stated: “The public interest argument in favour of this proposal is the creation of five new family homes, of which four will be smaller, more affordable units helping to balance the housing market locally.”