Local News · Devizes
Enabling works to begin on Devizes Assize Court restoration project
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Initial construction work on the £14.8 million transformation of the historic Devizes Assize Court into a new home for the Wiltshire Museum is set to commence this month.
Work is set to begin on the ambitious £14.8 million project to transform the historic Devizes Assize Court, marking a significant milestone for the landmark Grade II* listed building. Enabling works at the site are scheduled to get underway later this month, following years of planning and extensive fundraising efforts.
Wiltshire Museum director David Dawson has indicated that the project is moving towards the physical phase, with tender documents currently being finalised. Once completed, the former Assize Court is set to become the permanent home for the Wiltshire Museum, providing a modern facility that will include new galleries, temporary exhibition spaces, community and learning areas, and an on-site café.
The project received a significant boost following an £8.5 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which covers a substantial portion of the required costs. While the museum continues its fundraising efforts, the commencement of these initial works represents a major step forward in bringing the 19th-century building, which has stood largely unused for many years, back into public life.
Planning and future development
Planning permission and listed building consent were secured in August 2025. A new planning application, submitted in August 2026, details minor design amendments to the scheme, including adjustments to the café layout, ventilation systems, and building extensions. Residents and stakeholders have until Thursday, October 8, to submit their views on these latest proposals during the current consultation period.
According to the project schedule, the initial enabling phase is expected to last approximately eight weeks. This will clear the way for the primary construction and restoration work, which is planned to begin in 2027. If the current timeline holds, the doors to the new museum are expected to open to the public in 2030.
The restoration is expected to act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area near the former Wadworth Brewery and Devizes Wharf. A separate development plan for the nearby brewery site has already been granted permission for 102 new homes alongside retail space, with preliminary site clearance and demolition already completed. Together, these initiatives form part of a significant transformation for this historic sector of Devizes.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original