'We hate it'

PLANS to turn the decaying Mechanics' Institute into a 21st century glass hotel have been slammed as cheap by concerned residents.

A string of people contacted the Evening Advertiser to express their views one even saying that the proposal was the "ugliest, most tasteless development that it is possible to imagine" after we exclusively revealed the latest plans for the 149-year-old listed building.

The building's owner, London-based businessman Mathew Singh, 40, last week submitted his proposal to Swindon Council. Planners will consider them in the New Year.

Leading the criticism was Graham Woodward, 49, a telecoms engineer of Nelson Street, who labelled the plans as "idiotic and obscene". He said: "It is quite frankly unbelievable to me, being a Swindonian born and bred, that Mr Singh really wants to put a giant blue ice cube structure, reminiscent of a Foxes Glacier Mint, next to one of Swindon's last remaining architectural heritages. May I suggest he goes the whole hog and puts a giant stuffed polar bear on the top?

"I'm not sure if Prince Charles reads the Advertiser but I am certain that if he does he will be appalled at Mr Singh's planning proposal. It's surely the equivalent of tacking Canary Wharf to the side of Buckingham Palace."

Mr Singh purchased the Grade II* listed in Emlyn Square building in March. In his plans the 1930s brick tower in the middle of the building could become a shimmering glass structure.

Other parts of the building, which was formerly a community centre for employees of the Great Western Railway, could be repaired, restored and turned into flats, a restaurant and a health and fitness club.

The Conservative candidate for central ward, Roderick Bluh, said: "The proposed development at the Mechanics' Institute probably rates as one of the ugliest and most tasteless developments it is possible to imagine.

"I am not against modern development, but it needs to be done sympathetically in the right place and done with taste.

"If this really is Swindon's finest building then it and the town deserves better than to have it cheapened in such a way.

"It would also make a mockery of the plan to make the Railway Village a world heritage site of historic importance."

The Mechanics' Institute, which is listed on the English Heritage register of buildings at risk, celebrates its 150th birthday next year.

Mr Singh has promised to treat the building with sensitivity and preserve the most historically significant aspects including the 1855 Lecture Theatre, the 1882 Reading Room and the grand marble staircase at the southern end.

But Mark Davies, who has recently completed independent anthropological research into the perception of Swindon's buildings, said: "This artist impression of the Mechanics' is just plain scary.

"Not only will such a glass monstrosity look totally out of place in the Victorian Railway Village, but it will swallow up what is left of a distinct visual heritage in the centre of Swindon and thus rob it of its symbolic and historical potency."

Graphic designer, Justin Smythe, 27 of Rushy Platt, added: "I wanted to see the Mechanics' opened up as a community or resource centre it's the perfect place for it. In Bristol they make good use of their old buildings in this way.

"Swindon is in dire need for something that everyone can use and seems to be obsessed with spending money. The plans might be billed as futuristic, but really the concept is old. I think it's a real shame."