Planning boost for museum reviving a derelict court

An artist's impression of the Assize Court, but restored. It is a classically designed building, with pillars at the front in the ancient style and Georgian-type windows. The artists impression has more greenery and accessibility in front, with Wiltshire Museum flags.Image source, Devizes Assize Court Trust
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Wiltshire Museum is hoping to transform the Grade II* listed Devizes Assize Court

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A museum has been granted planning permission to restore a derelict courthouse to use as its new home.

Wiltshire Museum in Devizes has nationally important collections, including gold found in burial sites near Stonehenge, and is currently housed in a smaller building.

It hopes to open in 2030 at the Grade II* listed Devizes Assize Court, built in 1835, which has been left derelict since the 1980s – and has now won planning permission from Wiltshire Council.

The museum and Devizes Assize Court Trust have already carried out consultations with the public and secured initial funding towards the project.

The front of the court on a sunny day – a classically designed building, with pillars at the front in the ancient style and Georgian-type windows. However, these have been boarded up from behind and there is metal fencing around the building with overgrown weeds.Image source, Google Maps
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The court, built in 1835, has been derelict for decades

Having completed a development phase, the museum and trust will now be writing an application for funding for a delivery phase.

This will be submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund later this year with a decision shortly afterwards.

Planning permission approval from Wiltshire Council means the museum can now also submit funding applications to a wider range of organisations and seek support from benefactors.

Caroline Kay, who chairs Wiltshire Museum, said the approval was an "essential" step that "gives further position of confidence that this is a deliverable project for the people of Devizes, Wiltshire and beyond".

Traditional red-brick terraced buildings, Georgian-looking in style. One has a blue plaque on.Image source, Google Maps
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The museum is currently housed in a smaller building in Devizes

Peter Troughton, who chairs the Devizes Assize Court Trust, said the approval was "excellent news".

The court will also become a hub for the community accessible to all.

There will be a cafe, learning space, multi-use event space, gardens and new galleries – facilities that the museum's current building cannot have.

An artist's impression of the inside of the court, in coloured pens, showing people milling around in a large, light-filled room with large sky windows. Image source, Devizes Assize Court Trust
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It is hoped that the court will reopen in 2030

Purcell Architecture has also been working on the proposals.

Conservation associate Clare Phillips said: "This planning success is rooted in the team's collaboration with the museum and community groups."

She said the court was in a "desperately poor state".

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