Members of Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee voted eight to one in favour of the scheme on Monday 10th March.
The decision allows the first-floor conference and meeting rooms of the Grade I listed house to be converted into classrooms and study areas for students from Lydiard Park Academy.
Around £700,000 will be invested in restoring and upgrading the upper-floor rooms.
The space is expected to accommodate about 120 sixth form students and staff, while the ground-floor State Rooms and museum areas will remain open to visitors.
Following the decision, Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for placemaking and planning, met students and school leaders at the house to discuss the next steps.
She said: “It was a pleasure to meet the students at Lydiard House and share the news that the Planning Committee has approved this exciting project.
“Their enthusiasm for the building and its history is humbling. When we think how rare it is for young people from state schools to benefit from the wealth of heritage properties in the UK, it really brings home the pride and sense of opportunity future generations of young Swindonians will have.
“I’m delighted that we can now move forward and begin the work needed to bring these incredible spaces back to life for educational use.”
The proposal was debated at length during the meeting.
Representatives from the Friends of Lydiard House raised concerns about the potential impact on the historic building and public access to the museum.
Trustee Michael Grey told councillors the group feared the plans represented what he described as a “casual and hurried approach” to converting rooms within the heritage site.
Members of West Swindon Parish Council also objected during the meeting.
Councillor Matty Courtliff questioned whether the proposal met the high bar required for alterations to a Grade I listed building.
He said: “Grade I listing puts Lydiard House on the same level as Buckingham Palace, Bristol Temple Meads and Blackpool Tower. I don’t believe this plan passes the very high threshold needed.”
However, most councillors supported the application, concluding that bringing activity back into underused rooms would help secure the building’s long-term future.
Councillor Neil Hopkins said: “Heritage assets are at risk when they are unused. The risk is from being unused, not from the upper rooms seeing this form of activity.”
Under the plans, the council will refurbish the upper-floor rooms before leasing the space to the academy.
Principal Gary Pearson said: “There is a real buzz in the sixth form amongst both the students and teachers who cannot wait for Lydiard House to become part of their learning environment.
“When you take the students around the House you can see how inspired and proud they are to be part of a new chapter in the House’s history.
“We are very thankful to everyone who has helped us get to this point and we aim to keep everyone updated on the refurbishment as it progresses. It will truly be a unique experience for all those who get to study there.”
The council said the lease would generate income for the house and reduce reliance on council subsidy, while supporting its long-term conservation.
Lydiard House was purchased by the council in 1943 with the intention that it would serve education, youth services and community use alongside its role as a heritage attraction.
With planning permission now granted, preparatory work is expected to begin in the coming months.
Sixth form students are anticipated to start lessons at the house during the next academic year.
