'Bleak' space outside historic landmark to be revamped

"Bleak" space outside a town's "important historic landmark" is to be revamped.

The 500-year-old Yelde Hall, in Chippenham, Wiltshire, attracts scores of tourists each year, but the area surrounding the Grade I listed building has fallen into a poor state.

About £50,000 has now been secured by the town council, which owns the building, to install new seating, planters and bin storage. Work is expected to begin within the next three years.

In a planning document, officials said the space outside the medieval hall has turned "bleak", with outdated planters and cluttered bins. They added the work would help to showcase one of the town's most important historic landmarks.

Over the centuries, the hall has served as a jail, armoury, fire station, and bank.

It is now used for talks, exhibitions, performances and fairs, which local business owner Patrick Hill said is important for the town.

Hill, who runs Boston Burger, said: "You might not think many tourists come to Chippenham, but actually in the summer, I get a lot of tourists that come and you see people taking photos of it [the hall]."

He added that the new seating would be a real bonus for the area.

Penny and Fred Taylor are part of Chippenham and District Artists, which hosts exhibitions in the hall.

Penny explained that many enjoy coming in to see the building, so "it serves its purpose twice over" when people come to see the art.

Fred agrees the area "could look better", especially with nearby "unsightly" bins.

The planning documents identify the concrete paving and cluttered alleyways next to the hall as problems.

"The poor state of the public space does not showcase the Grade I listed Yelde Hall to best effect," it said.

"There is no reason to linger in this space."

The approved scheme will introduce a curved landscaped planter, bespoke seating, a tree, biodiversity features and improved public lighting.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.