MECHANICS' Institute owner Mathew Singh has promised Swindon an early Christmas present when he submits a detailed application to planners next month.

The 40-year-old businessman and his team of architects are preparing the plan which will explain exactly what he wants to happen to the 149-year-old building.

And he hopes to have something open next year to mark the Mechanics' 150th anniversary.

Swindon Council's planning committee granted Mr Singh permission for a change of use to the building earlier this year, which immediately aroused speculation as to what would happen to the historical gem in the middle of the Railway Village.

The change of use effectively means Mr Singh has a blank slate to do with the building what he pleases within reason. To date though he has only intimated he wants the building to include a mixture of residential accommodation, leisure facilities in the form of a gym, a restaurant and art gallery and museum.

Mr Singh said: "It probably seems like nothing has been happening, but things obviously take a little time with a building of this size and scale. I can assure people we have all been really busy behind the scenes working on the plans and we will hopefully have a modern twist on a historic building. All the mixed uses will be coming into it, but we have kept exactly what English Heritage and Swindon Council wanted including the marble staircase, the grand balcony and reading room. It will not just be residential because we want to bring some life back to the Mechanics'."

In September Mr Singh invited the Advertiser inside the Grade II* listed building for an exclusive tour the first glimpse inside since it was boarded up nearly 20 years ago.

The businessman's plans are the first serious moves to do something with the former Great Western Railway workers' community centre since it was mothballed in 1986.

Planning officers at Swindon Council have described the building as "an eyesore in the middle of the Railway Village" and warned the place was at risk unless a new use was found.

Since Mr Singh and his company Forefront Estates purchased the building in March it has been cleared of the brushwood, litter, needles, syringes and pigeon's mess. And all the windows have been boarded up to prevent the interior of the building being battered by the elements.

Mr Singh said: "We thought about throwing in the towel but I have not had any thoughts like this lately I'm determined to see it through.

"Next year the Mechanics' celebrates its 150th anniversary so I'd like to see some part of the building open maybe even the reading room. In contrast to previous owners of the building I think I have been very open about what we're trying to do."