THE campaign for an arts centre at the former St Ivel factory in Wootton Bassett has been given a boost.

At the moment two buildings in the grounds of St Ivel are being eyed up when the site is redeveloped.

Wootton Bassett Town Council wants to turn the two-storey Station House into a new council chamber and meeting rooms, to replace its current base, which will not meet forthcoming disability legislation.

But another group wants to see the Beaufort Brewery converted into an arts centre, and this campaign has received a shot in the arm from a survey showing that their aims can be achieved.

National organisation Pro Help aids community groups with free professional advice on surveying.

The first stage of its work in Wootton Bassett has shown that the brewery is structurally sound enough to be converted, and that a theatre could be built into the building. Bridgett Tubb from Action for Arts said: "It's very exciting news that the experts have said it can be converted. Now they are going on to do drawings and measurements and put further plans together."

The arts campaigners have now got the go-ahead to look for money to fund any development. They have vowed to avoid incurring any cost to Wootton Bassett ratepayers.

The town council and the chamber of commerce are now considering two options, to be incorporated into the brief. These are:

Option 1: Station House is extended to provide an arts centre. The brewery building is allocated for small employment units, which could be used for arts and crafts workshops. The amount of employment land in the south of the site is reduced to provide additional housing, finance the extension of Station House and reflect additional employment at the brewery

Option 2: The brewery building is allocated for an arts centre with additional employment and retail use but Station House will be used solely by the town council. The amount of employment land in the south of the site is reduced to provide additional housing and to reflect additional employment at the brewery. The community would be responsible for the arts centre with the building being transferred to the town council if the project was unsuccessful.

District councillor Chris Wannell (Con) felt that option one provided the best deal for the town.

The matter will be discussed at the district council's public spaces and local plans panel on Wednesday March 24.

Bhavani Vadde