Gwenda Barnes of the Pipers Area Residents' Association outside the LocarnoTHE burned-out shell of the Locarno faces being compulsorily purchased by Swindon Council if a satisfactory plan for its future cannot be devised.

The Locarno, along with the old Corn Exchange in Old Town, is owned by local businessmen Gael Mackenzie, who also owns the nearby Wood Street bar bearing his name, while Swindon Council owns car parks either side which are worth up to £4m on the open market.

The council, Mr Mackenzie, and Countryside Properties, the developer working on their behalf, have been trying to agree on a plan for the future of the building, but Mr Mackenzie has accused the council of forcing the developer to change the plans several times.

On May 17 last year, the Evening Advertiser revealed plans to create three blocks of apartments and an Italian-style piazza, but within 24 hours much of the structure was in ruins after fire broke out.

The blaze is thought to have been started by arsonists, but those responsible have never been caught.

The compulsory purchase order warning was issued today by Swindon Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn).

He said: "Discussions have taken place since the building was damaged by fire last spring.

"Obviously, I'm keeping a close eye on the way things are developing, but no deal has been struck between Mr Mackenzie, the developer and the borough council.

"I'm concerned that the local residents are suffering because the road to The Planks remains closed, and people are not able to walk or park a car there.

"This cannot continue. If the matter is not resolved in the next month or two, I think the borough council should consider using a compulsory purchase order."

Mr Mackenzie disputed Mr Bawden's version of events, but referred inquiries to his agents, Whitmarsh Preece Lockhart. Nobody there was available for comment.

One local person, Pipers Area Residents' Association secretary Gwenda Barnes, welcomed the idea of a compulsory purchase order.

She said: "This problem is forever with us.

"The road from Old Town to The Planks and the car park is closed. People are having to use Old Mill Lane but Old Mill Lane is already busy with builders' vehicles because of development there.

"We seem to be in stalemate. Nothing is happening at all, and the building is deteriorating."

Mrs Barnes said she would like to see a compulsory purchase order made and the Corn Exchange building developed sympathetically, as it is the historic centre of Old Town.

However, she believes that the Locarno structure is too badly damaged to preserve, and should be replaced by another development entirely.

What is compulsory purchase

A COMPULSORY purchase order is primarily a means by which local authorities can secure possession of land or property for development or preservation.

Examples include tracts of land needed for roads or housing, and historic buildings.

In order to secure a CPO, the local authority concerned must secure statutory approval from the Government, and Whitehall consults all interested parties.

If the application is successful, the owner of the land or property is legally obliged to sell it.

The price is agreed on the advice of the respective surveyors appointed by the owners and the local authority.