School students could be taught at stately home

Lydiard House could be used as a base for about 120 sixth-form students

Students could be taught in a stately home as part of £700,000 plans to upgrade a Grade One listed building.

Swindon Borough Council hopes to create learning spaces at Lydiard House that could be used by up to 120 students from Lydiard Park Academy, which closed its sixth-form building due to structural issues.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for planning, said the move would ensure the continuation of education for students, and breathe new life into the "iconic heritage site".

But Friends of Lydiard Park leaders fear the move could harm the site's value.

Councillors will discuss plans for Lydiard House, which dates to the medieval period, at a meeting on Wednesday.

The council, which purchased the stately home in 1943, claims "leasing arrangements" from the potential school partnership would generate income to offset current subsidies.

However, the Friends of Lydiard Park, a charity which supports the conservation of the site, has urged the council to pause plans.

In a post on social media, the group wrote: "We argue the decision is rushed and call for full consultation before irreversible changes occur.

"While open to a temporary, reversible school option, the group cannot support a long-term arrangement that may harm Lydiard's community value."

In response, Ms Strinkovsky said: "Heritage buildings need to be in use, not standing empty. I hope the Friends can work with us so we can deliver something truly fantastic for the local community."

Lydiard Park Academy, previously known as Greendown Community School, is 0.7 miles (1.12km) from Lydiard House.

Under the proposals, rooms on the ground floor of the historic property would continue to be accessible to the public.

A planning application is due to be submitted before Christmas.