A historic building on Wiltshire College and University Centre’s Lackham campus is set to undergo an extensive refurbishment.

Wiltshire Council has approved plans that will see work on Grade II listed Lackham House “deliver high quality, modern education facilities, whilst respecting the character of the existing building.”

The revamped “agri-business centre” will contain flexible, multi-use teaching and conference spaces, as well as innovative VR teaching and simulation rooms.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The application describes the building as a valuable college asset.The application describes the building as a valuable college asset. (Image: AWW)

Lackham House is located between Chippenham and the village of Lacock and was built in the late 18th century.

The building is now the central hub of the Wiltshire College & University Centre (WCUC) Lackham campus.

A press release published in August 2023 by WCUC, which first announced the plans, suggested that the refurbishment had a planned completion date of summer 2024.

However, the planning application for the work in question was submitted to Wiltshire Council in January 2024.

It stated: “While the house has a series of grand spaces with impressive period features, many of the finishes and decoration are tired and in need of modernisation.

“Furthermore, the existing building services and lighting do not meet the requirements of a modern education facility, leaving the house currently underused.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The foyer area will form the main reception.The foyer area will form the main reception. (Image: AWW)

It added: “The interior design concept is to strip back the decoration and finishes to the original period features, then overlay a clean and simple colour and material palette that allows the original features to shine through, bringing texture and interest to the spaces.”

The existing carpet in the foyer will be stripped out and the herringbone timber floor will be restored before the installation of a new contemporary reception desk.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The Lacock suite will be fitted with a wall-mounted screen.The Lacock suite will be fitted with a wall-mounted screen. (Image: AWW)

The Lacock Suite will be modernised, “making it suitable for a contemporary education environment whilst being sympathetic to character or the existing house.”

A new VR simulator teaching room, with multiple simulator stations, will allow students to “practice in a safe environment.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The VR room will allow one teacher to train several students at the same time.The VR room will allow one teacher to train several students at the same time. (Image: AWW)

The original WCUC press release indicated that the works were part of a £2.2m project, £1.7m of which had been awarded by the Department of Education.

Iain Hatt, Principal and CEO at WCUC said: “This renovation project will allow students to utilise the latest innovative technology in land based sectors and support us in addressing the skills gaps highlighted by employers.”

Wiltshire Council approved the planning application on Monday, April 8.