A vision of how Corsham’s Mansion House will be transformed into a landmark centre for digital innovation and business incubation has been revealed.

The first artist’s impressions give a sense of how the old and new could be blended architecturally with the redevelopment of the building as part of the Digital Corsham project.

The project will bring together private businesses, academic research and industry-focussed training under one roof, with a focus on digital technologies and capability. The development is the next step in Corsham’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for digital communications and technology, built on the presence of a number of large firms focussed on data storage and analysis and the presence of MOD Corsham which is centred on global digital communications and analytic intelligence.

The Mansion House is a Grade II-listed architecturally important building located in the heart of Corsham town centre. Set within 1,400sq metres of land, the redeveloped 18th century building will provide up to 1,000sq metres of potential workspace.

The vision for the Digital Corsham project has been developed by Wiltshire Council and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) working in partnership with Corsham Institute and Bath Spa University. The project is integral to the SWLEP’s Strategic Economic Plan for the area, focussing on one of its high value growth sectors – digital/cyber and information/communication technology, alongside the delivery of the Digital Communities Programme which includes Corsham TV.

The Strategic Economic Plan aspires to provide a central location in the centre of Corsham which will represent the “gateway” to a digital society and digital economy.

The project aims to demolish the now disused library building and extend the capacity of the Mansion House building to accommodate up to 14 business units of varying sizes for lease to micro and small businesses with a focus on digital solutions in industry and society.

Key to the development will be the provision of space where industry, academia, institutions, the public sector and the general public can come together to share ideas and engage with the digital society test bed. It will also offer teaching space to provide higher and further education courses relating to the digital industry.

The £4m project will be one among a number of major schemes benefiting from the Government’s £141m Growth Deal funding package for the region between 2015 and 2021.

Other projects funded through the central Government programme include the delivery of Porton Science Park near Salisbury and essential highways improvements to enable the expansion of Dyson’s research and development activities in Malmesbury.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “These are extremely exciting plans, which will put Corsham at the heart of the region’s digital skills, training, research and industry agenda, as well as providing the incubation space to offer small start-up businesses the opportunity to get on their feet in such inspirational surroundings.”

Barry Dennington, chairman of the SWLEP board, said: “Our vision at the SWLEP is all about driving economic growth in the area through innovation, and this a key project for us in achieving our ambitions. It will put the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP area on the map as a hub of digital innovation and expertise.”