A POTENTIAL £1 million project is being set out by Calne Town Council in hopes of transforming the face of the town.

Although, only in the preliminary stages the council want to use Heritage Lottery Funding to turn the old fire and ambulance station behind the town hall into a cultural hub.

Plans include the construction of a gallery space, cafe and atrium and the council have set up a survey online for residents to express their opinions on the development.

One of the project organisers, Claire Selman, of the town council, said: “The project could transform the town and will enhance what it offers as a visitor destination.

“It will increase many of the key facilities on offer but we are at the very early stages of the scheme at the minute.

“We are just doing a little bit of the research gathering and ground work to see what the local people would like to have and what they think would enhance it.

“It is a really long term project and we believe that it has the potential to be a big deal for the town but we need the community support.

“It is going to have a huge impact and we just want people to get involved to decide what is best going forward.”

The town council is also compiling a history of the town hall but has a dearth of information regarding the period between 1940 and 2000.

It is calling on residents with any information or photographs to contact them so they can fill in the gaps in their data.

“We would love to see photos and hear memories of events held in the town hall from 1940 to 2000 to gather a picture of what the building was like in the past,” added Ms Selman.

“As I said it is going to be in at least three or four years. There is a lot of scope for what we can include in the project but it is still quite far off.”

To see the survey go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRS9KM2 and to provide information on the town’s history call 01249 814000 or email calne@calne.gov.uk.