WORK is due to begin this week to make the Assize Courts in Northgate Street, Devizes watertight and secure for the winter.

It follows a report to a recent meeting of Kennet District Council's planning and development committee where the current condition of the grade II-listed building was discussed in private.

While Kennet conservation officers are happy with the work carried out on the roof by Jee Estates, the agents of the Bahamian-registered owners, Gatewell, they had become concerned the rest of the building is not in the best condition.

Ian Lund, Kennet's principal conservation officer, said: "We issued an urgent works notice this time last year after examining the condition of the building, and between December and May the owners carried out extensive works to the roof.

"We are continuing to keep an eye on the building and we are mainly concerned about making the rainwater downpipes watertight. We are concerned about the security of the building.

"I'm sure the owners want to protect their investment by dealing with these minor matters and my understanding is that work is due to begin this week to sort out the problems.

"If they don't, we will issue another urgent works notice and, if that is not complied with, we will do the work ourselves and send them the bill."

The Assize Courts were built in 1835 and designed by noted architect Thomas Wyatt, who was also responsible for the main building at Roundway Hospital.

They were closed in 1986 and sold off shortly afterwards to a local company.

English Heritage blocked an application for housing on the site and since then the building has been sold off a number of times and various planning applications have fallen by the wayside.

The owners are currently actively marketing the property but no developer has shown any interest.