Plans to move Wiltshire Museum into a historic building has been given a major boost after hundreds of thousands of pounds was handed to the project.
On Wednesday June 25, Wiltshire Council announced it had allocated £350,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to the bid to move the museum from its current home on Long Street, Devizes, to the historic Assize Court on Northgate Street.
The transformation project aims to breathe new life into one of Devizes’ most significant heritage buildings and provide the museum with a purpose-built new home, while also playing a central role in the wider regeneration of the area.
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The Grade-II listed Assize Court, which is owned by the Devizes Assize Courts Trust (DACT), is currently on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register.
The project is seeking to revitalise the building, while also relocating the museum into this iconic site.
Wiltshire Museum has already secured £300,748 in development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to prepare a detailed project plan.
It intends to submit a major funding bid to NLHF in the summer, seeking around £8 million towards the total estimated £14 million project cost.
The council’s initial contribution of £350,000 in CIL funding, which is awarded on the basis of getting other money, will be used to strengthen the museum's business case and move the project forward.
The museum is continuing its fundraising and the council has committed to support the project with up to £2m, only to be drawn on if fundraising falls short.
This would be covered by further CIL funding, once all other funding options have been explored.
To date, the museum has secured commitments of £1.25m from other sources.
Cllr Helen Belcher, cabinet member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Assets, said: “The Assize Court has stood as a symbol of Devizes’ rich history for generations, and this is a fantastic opportunity to create a first-rate museum in the heart of the town, while saving a landmark building of national importance.
“We are proud to support this ambitious and visionary project, which will help to promote Wiltshire’s distinctive culture to both residents and visitors, while also attracting more visitors to Devizes.
“This funding commitment is a clear signal of our belief in the transformative potential of this scheme – not just for Devizes, but for the wider county.
“We are also helping to unlock significant national investment and ensure the long-term success of this vital project.”
Caroline Kay, chair of trustees at Wiltshire Museum, said: “This timely and generous commitment of investment by Wiltshire Council in the Devizes Assize Court project is a real boost for the future heritage of our county and the museum’s continuing and growing work with all those people, young and old, who wish to participate in, care for and visit Wiltshire’s splendid cultural assets.
“We are sure that it will give even more confidence to other funders and philanthropists to join us in making this project happen over the next few years.
“We are extremely grateful to Wiltshire Council for delivering us this splendid news in advance of our second-round Heritage Lottery Fund submission.”
As this paper reported earlier in June amended plans have been submitted for the Devizes Assize Court on Northgate Street, which has been empty and falling into disrepair since the 1980s.
A proposal was submitted late last year, and revised designs have now been lodged to address feedback from the conservation officer, Historic England, and the Georgian Society.
The museum is currently seeking planning permission for its scheme from Wiltshire Council and a public consultation on the latest plans was open until Wednesday, June 25.
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