Buildings sale could pay for Brecon museum revamp

Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery was built in 1842

Buildings could be sold in Brecon to help fund the latest attempt at a £4m revamp of a museum and art gallery.

The Grade-II star listed Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery needs repairs to its Victorian stonework and its roof.

Powys council said some of its buildings in the town were "surplus to requirement" and money from their sale could help pay for the refurbishment.

The council failed to secure £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year.

The local authority is applying for £2m from the lottery fund again and is looking to match fund the project, which now includes plans to relocate Brecon library at the museum.

The council said putting the library there would modernise the museum and introduce a range of other benefits.

Councillor Gwyn Gwillim, who is responsible for the arts, said: "These new plans take on board the feedback from the funders on how to strengthen the bid.

"We wish not only to repair and conserve this historical building but to transform it into a museum and art gallery of the future, offering an unrivalled visitor experience whether as a local resident, school pupil or tourist.

Surplus to requirement

"However, the costs will be high and in order to realise this aspiration the council needs to raise funds to help support the work.

"The council owns a number of properties within Brecon, some of which are surplus to requirement, and the intention is to use funds raised from the sale of these properties to support the conservation and development of the museum."

The museum, which was built in 1842 and originally used as a county hall and an assize court, was opened in 1928.

Plans are on display at the museum and library until 23 October.