Wasnt really prepared for doing this as it was only by chance that we tried but here goes
Devizes Assize Courts
Originally the Assize court for Wiltshire was held in Salisbury, however in after a petition in 1834 Devizes managed to secure its own. In 1835 the Architect Thomas Wyatt (responsible for many churches in the area as well as the old Roundway Hospital, also situated in Devizes) was chosen to design and build an impressive neo-classical building that would be the new Assize Courts.
The building was well used right up until the abolition of the Assize court system in 1971. From '71 until '75 the Crown Court took over and used the building, then from '75 until '82 the Magistrates took over use of the court.
1982 was perhaps the deciding point for the building when a case of dry-rot caused to Magistrates to abandon it, although the dry-rot was cured the building would not be used again.
Several planning permissions were applied for with around 5 given the go ahead, most recently the conversion into 20 residential properties, however this has since expires and was refused when resubmitted.
This is where my knowledge goes a bit hazy as I cant really find any solid info but it seems like the Council were/are trying to compulsory purchase the property to give it back to the community in the form of a Theatre, Cafe and such.. anyway enough with the history and on to the pictures, I'm pretty new to this SLR thing so any advice or constructive-criticism is greatly appreciated
Front Exterior
Entrance hall with toilets either side
The skylight in the entrance hall
The only reasonably intact room left, probably probably an office of some sort
Same room, these are the windows facing out to the front of the building
One of the two court rooms
View from the balcony in the previous picture
Fire damage on the same balcony, room visable is the entrance hall
Bit of a newspaper dated 1956
The balcony in the second court room, inaccessible as stairs are damaged.
Old boiler? in the basement
Entrance to the holding cells
One of the holding cells
Thanks, Ju
Devizes Assize Courts
Originally the Assize court for Wiltshire was held in Salisbury, however in after a petition in 1834 Devizes managed to secure its own. In 1835 the Architect Thomas Wyatt (responsible for many churches in the area as well as the old Roundway Hospital, also situated in Devizes) was chosen to design and build an impressive neo-classical building that would be the new Assize Courts.
The building was well used right up until the abolition of the Assize court system in 1971. From '71 until '75 the Crown Court took over and used the building, then from '75 until '82 the Magistrates took over use of the court.
1982 was perhaps the deciding point for the building when a case of dry-rot caused to Magistrates to abandon it, although the dry-rot was cured the building would not be used again.
Several planning permissions were applied for with around 5 given the go ahead, most recently the conversion into 20 residential properties, however this has since expires and was refused when resubmitted.
This is where my knowledge goes a bit hazy as I cant really find any solid info but it seems like the Council were/are trying to compulsory purchase the property to give it back to the community in the form of a Theatre, Cafe and such.. anyway enough with the history and on to the pictures, I'm pretty new to this SLR thing so any advice or constructive-criticism is greatly appreciated
Front Exterior
Entrance hall with toilets either side
The skylight in the entrance hall
The only reasonably intact room left, probably probably an office of some sort
Same room, these are the windows facing out to the front of the building
One of the two court rooms
View from the balcony in the previous picture
Fire damage on the same balcony, room visable is the entrance hall
Bit of a newspaper dated 1956
The balcony in the second court room, inaccessible as stairs are damaged.
Old boiler? in the basement
Entrance to the holding cells
One of the holding cells
Thanks, Ju