Work to turn part of mansion into classrooms begins

The transformation of part of a mansion house and country park into classrooms and teaching spaces for sixth form students is underway.

Lydiard Park Academy in Swindon previously closed its sixth form building due to structural issues and it was announced earlier this year up to 120 students would be taught at Lydiard House.

The refurbishment follows planning approval earlier this year to invest £700,000 in the Swindon Borough Council-owned Grade I-listed Palladian house, which is 0.7 miles (1.12km) from the school.

The council, which has owned Lydiard House since 1943, said the first sixth formers would be taught at the historic building from some point during the current academic year.

Refurbishment works are focused on the first-floor rooms.

Part of the site will remain in use as a museum, with a programme of events and exhibitions to be offered to members of the public in its State Rooms.

Swindon Borough Council said the investment "will strengthen the long-term sustainability of Lydiard House by increasing its use, opening a range of learning and wider heritage opportunities and generating additional income to support the historic building's future".

The plans were approved despite concerns from Friends of Lydiard Park, which said last month it remained "deeply concerned about the future of the museum".

Matty Courtliff, the council's cabinet member for housing and property, said, despite previously raising concerns, he was pleased the work was "being managed sensitively to safeguard such an important heritage asset".

When the council bought Lydiard House more than 80 years ago, it said it envisioned the building being used for education, youth services, recreation and community use.

Members of the council visited Lydiard House with year 11 students and staff from the school to see the progress being made and hear more about the refurbishment works earlier this week.

Joshua Coulson, principal of Lydiard Park Academy, said the facilities at Lydiard House will "provide an inspiring environment where young people can develop academically and socially".

"We look forward to seeing it become a place of learning, aspiration and achievement for years to come," he added.

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