A DECISION on the future of Corsham’s Mansion House may be getting closer, with Wiltshire Council taking it off the market and considering using it as a digital hub.

Nearly four years since the Grade II listed building in Pickwick Road was put up for sale, a council cabinet meeting, held last Tuesday, agreed to reconsider the plan.

Corsham is seen as integral to the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan, which receives Government funding for projects that benefit the local area and economy.

A report by Wiltshire Council says two per cent of the world’s internet traffic passes through Corsham, because of the significant role it plays in being a communication network for the military and Government.

It is hoped the scheme at the Mansion House could act as a virtual front door to the digital society.

If the proposal is approved, the building will be turned into a digital centre for start-up businesses, with teaching facilities for higher-education courses relating to the computer industry.

It will also be a location for institutions and academics to share their ideas.

The Mansion House once served as a youth centre and the library next door was in operation until a new one was built as part of the Springfield Community Campus.

In September 2011, it was agreed in a Cabinet Capital Asset Committee resolution that the building and former library would be put on the market, with an asking price in the region of £1.5 million.

It attracted bids from developers Hadston Ltd, the owner of Hartham Park, as well as father and son Bill and Andrew Hall, the owners of the Martingate Centre, and a mystery third party, to redevelop the site for leisure use.

Last August, a bid from Mr and Mr Hall was accepted by Wiltshire Council, but the council subsequently decided to cancel the sale.

Andrew Hall said: “We are obviously disappointed that the council have rescinded their decision to sell, but our abiding priority is to see the building refurbished and the council seems keen to take that on.”

Corsham Town Council had expressed concern over the delay in making a decision, because the building has been falling into disrepair.

Chief executive David Martin said: “The important thing for us is that it gets used for some appropriate purpose, rather than remain empty.

“Digital Corsham is ideal for the direction the town is going in and complements the growing businesses in the area.”

It is not yet known how much the scheme will cost, but if it goes ahead it will apply for 63 per cent of the amount to be funded from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.

Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has been given £129.3 million to support economic growth in the area, with millions more expected in the next six years.

The remainder of the costs for the project would be met by Wiltshire Council.