GAZETTE & HERALD: Campaigners are urging people to speak out in support of Chippenham's art deco Goldiggers building in a bid to fend off demolition and redevelopment.

Members of the Preservation of Gaumont Goldiggers, who are determined to preserve the former cinema and nightclub, will be attending a meeting of North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee on Wednesday to speak in defence of the building.

Developer Churchill Retirement Living has applied for planning permission to tear down the Timber Street building, which is owned by the district council, and replace it with 49 sheltered flats for the elderly with shops on the ground floor.

POGG member Ian Guy said: "We would urge people to come along to show how they feel about the building and to air their views at the meeting. If enough people come along and offer their support it might be enough to sway the decision."

POGG was set up by people who want to save the building, which was built in the 1930s, and convert it to leisure or community use.

But the campaigners suffered a setback when their application to have Goldiggers listed in recognition of its architectural and historic merit was thrown out by English Heritage.

The planning application seeks to clear away the old building and create 650 square metres of retail space with retirement flats above.

The design of the frontage reflects the original cinema building.

Churchill has specialised in providing housing for the elderly since 1998 and has other developments in Hampshire, Devon and Dorset.

The facility would have a manager but the flats are intended for independent retired people over 60.

The developer says it is committed to environmental development using brownfield sites where possible, and provides battery cars where necessary. A space and charging point for battery operated cars will be provided at the site, as well as 16 car parking spaces.

The developer also uses local materials, energy saving devices and grey water for maintenance of grounds.

Facilities would also include an emergency alarm system, a video entry system, owners' lounge, communal laundry, guest suite and a landscaped area outside.

But 13 letters have been sent to the district council protesting about the plans because of the importance of the William Trent-designed building and the need for more leisure and community facilities in the town.

A petition signed by 138 people keen to save the building has also been sent to the council.

Planning officers have proposed putting off making a recommendation to councillors until the next committee meeting so they can work out details such as building materials and the shop fronts. They are also concerned the new development has too many windows and would dominate the street scene.

Coun Philip Allnatt, who wants to see the building restored for community use, said there was still time to change track and think again.

"If the planning application were turned down the developers would be in breach of an executive decision that they should have planning permission by September 4," he said.

"However if planning permission is granted it will be a done deal.

"This is the final chapter but if the application fails we would have an opportunity to change the policy."

Coun Allnatt was also concerned about possible archaeological finds on the site. The Wiltshire County Archaeologist has pointed out that the area has substantial archaeological interest and Coun Allnatt wanted to know what would happen if a significant find was made when Goldiggers was pulled down.