Planning application submitted to restore Grade II listed Trowbridge Town Hall

The plans could see the Town Hall becoming a major creative and community hub for Trowbridge, consisting of custom designed performance and activity spaces, recording studios, and a licenced café bar with refurbished spaces for a wide range of community activities from yoga classes to toddler groups.

The designs for the building were drawn up following various engagement events with the local community and key stakeholders and taking into account the constraints of refurbishing a listed building.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "We are delighted to have reached this key milestone in this project. As part of the planning application process, we would encourage everyone to submit their comments on the plans to give the Town Hall a new lease of life.

"One of our key priorities is ensuring our communities will continue to be able to grow sustainably with good access to leisure, arts, heritage and culture. So, if you were unable to come to the recent engagement event in which we shared the stunning visualisations of the refurbished building, don't worry as several of the display boards have been erected in the Town Hall's foyer. There will also be a further engagement event at the Town Hall on Wednesday 16 November, 2.30pm to 6pm, where the full Town Hall refurbishment display boards will be complemented with updates on other projects taking place in Trowbridge town centre."

Alan Wright, the Director of Trowbridge Town Hall Trust, added: "Our challenge has been to provide the community with a combination of spaces that ensures provision for as wide a variety of activities as possible within a building that retains and enhances its original ambiance, while also enabling us to ensure an economically sustainable long-term future."

The application has been submitted to Wiltshire Council, as Local Planning Authority and is now available to view and for public comment on the Wiltshire Council website at https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/ (opens new window). Enter planning application number PL/2022/08637.

The planning application will be determined early next year.

The investment in the building is being funded from the £16 million investment in Trowbridge town centre via the government's Future High Streets Fund. If the application is approved, work could start at the end of 2023 and be finished around April 2025.