WILTSHIRE Council has said that the future use of Melksham House is “not yet confirmed”.
However, the council says that plans to refurbish the building are “progressing”.
As construction work begins this week to build the town’s new community campus, questions have been raised by residents about the future of Melksham House.
The historic Grade II listed building, which is located adjacent to the site of the new campus, has remained empty for over 10 years since Wiltshire Council purchased the building.
In October 2019, Melksham News reported that Wiltshire Council had “agreed in principle” plans to refurbish Melksham House, costing up to £7million. The plans put forward proposed residential care facilities to support children and young people aged 10–18 years in the main house; a community resource centre in the former dance hall; and 16 supported living units on land at the rear of the building.
A report was due to be presented to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet in early 2020, outlining a detailed business case for the future of Melksham House, with an update for the community expected shortly afterwards.
However, over 16 months later, Wiltshire Council has told Melksham News that the future use of the building is “not yet confirmed”, but that plans for refurbishing Melksham House are “being progressed”.
“We will be able to provide a full update once the proposals are more established,” said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Council.
No timeframe for the refurbishment of Melksham House, or announcement of its future use was available.
