Urgent repair work to go ahead on historic building

The Roundhouse is hidden away on Church Street in Melksham

Urgent repair work can start on a historic landmark after the council approved planning permission.

The Roundhouse - a small, circular building from the 18th century hidden away on Church Street in Melksham - needs emergency pointing and stabilisation work, according to the planning application.

Repairs will correct issues around masonry slumping and stone degradation.

Wiltshire Council has now approved the renovation.

The building was originally built as a wool drying house in the town.

Heated by an iron stove, a flue pipe would lead to a hole at the top of the roof cone whilst wool was hung over wooden beams to dry.

The site has since been used as an armoury by the local volunteer Rifle Corps and as an animal feed store.

It is now a community larder used to distribute food that would otherwise be wasted, the application said.