THIS nondescript light industrial unit on a Llandrindod Wells business park is to be transformed into a new £1.7m home for the county’s historical records.
Powys council’s cabinet has approved spending the sum to develop Unit 29 at the Ddole Road industrial estate into a centre to house the Powys archives and modern records for the next 20 years.
The council stores documents dating back to the 14th century and the unit will have temperature controls to ensure the historic documents are properly maintained.
The move comes after the National Archives raised concerns in 2011 about the council’s ability to meet its legal obligations to store the records.
Cabinet Member for property, Councillor Rosemarie Harris said: "A lot of hard work has gone into getting the design right for the new facility. The archives service is a statutory service and the council has to meet the accommodation standards to maintain its role.
"We are now seeking a contractor for the main construction works which will include replacing the roof of the current building, extending the office accommodation, and making provision for a public search-room where documents can be viewed.
"Inside we are creating two strongrooms to house the council’s own records and the historic archive collections with air handling units to control temperature and humidity.
"The facility will have the capacity to house around 15,000 linear metres of records on mobile shelving around four metres high. Our archive documents date from 1318 to the present day and so it is important they are stored and protected for researchers to use and enjoy.
"Over the past year we have kept the National Archives and Welsh Government up to date with design and survey work, and have provided assurances to them that the project will deliver an excellent new facility."
The council has said all the design and survey work is now completed for the refurbished facility, and it is in the process of seeking tenders for the main construction works.
Building works are expected to be completed next summer. Once all the archive collections are moved in it is planned to open the public search-room in early autumn.