ENGLISH Heritage still has "grave concerns" about Mathew Singh's plans to overhaul the Mechanics' Institute which could mean the latest plan cannot go ahead.

The organisation, custodians of England's historic environment, is not convinced plans to build a glass hotel in the 149-year-old listed building in Emlyn Square are the way forward and have yet to meet Mr Singh's new team of architects.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Advertiser, Chris Smith, English Heritage's South West assistant director, even went so far as saying he would not want to be in Mr Singh's shoes at the moment.

Although London businessman Mr Singh, 40, purchased the Grade II* listed building in March last year and has been granted outline permission for a change of use, English Heritage still stand in the way of his long-term plans.

In order to knock down the fly tower in the middle of the institute and build a hotel Mr Singh requires listed building consent, which can only be sanctioned by the Secretary of State on advice from English Heritage.

Mr Smith has not yet seen in full MAK Architects' revised plans, which include a 118-bedroom hotel, private apartments, restaurant and health and beauty club, and admitted the only glimpse he has seen of the plans was when he read the Advertiser's exclusive story on December 23 last year.

He said the proposal to put a transparent hotel in the middle of the former Great Western Railway workers' community centre did not differ greatly to Mr Singh's previous scheme, which was designed by Bath-based architects Fielden Clegg Bradley.

He said: "The Mechanics' should be the core of the Railway Village, which is likely to become part of a World Heritage Site. The local authority has shown the will to press on and we will continue to negotiate with Mathew until we get there but it will always be difficult.

"I envy his (Mr Singh's) enthusiasm he carries out his work with a genuine commitment, but I wouldn't choose right now to be in his shoes.

"It's a bold step Mr Singh showed us a scheme and we indicated that it gave us grave concerns and that is still our position."

Swindon planners are due to consider Mr Singh's proposals in the next couple of months.

Mr Singh said: "I am still waiting for a reply from the meeting I had with English Heritage together with my previous architects in September last year.

"As far I am aware the application that has been tabled is the best way forward for the Mechanics' Institute and I am quite happy to negotiate with English Heritage to move the project forward."

gsheldrick@newswilts.co.uk