A further planning application has been submitted to Swindon Borough Council as part of plans to redevelop the former Newsquest site in Swindon's Old Town.
The latest proposals, put forward by developer, Blewbury Court Ltd. aim to extend the rear of the building to deliver an additional no. 26 flats. This will bring the total number of proposed residential properties to no.66 as part of the £9.6m regeneration project.
The former Adver building is a prominent, well known but recently increasingly dilapidated building on Victoria Road known as Newspaper House.
The Advertiser moved out in April last year, when it was purchased by Ultimate Holdings Group as a regeneration project.
The latest proposals form part of a number of existing planning permissions to be delivered on the former Newsquest site. It will contribute to the exciting regeneration renaissance in Old Town which aims to deliver a total of 66 private rented residential units across the two sites and includes the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Former Swindon Advertiser Offices facing Victoria Road.
The developer aims to commence the £9.6 million investment in early summer 2019. The submission of the latest planning application follows lengthy discussions with Swindon Borough Council, which have been ongoing since July 2018.
The Council has granted a number of planning permissions for the regeneration project over the last 18 months. These include the conversion of the former Swindon Advertiser offices to apartments, including a separate application to improve the rear façade of the building facing onto Albert Street. An application for listed building consent will also be delivered as part of the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed former Newsquest offices facing onto Victoria Road.
The latest application proposals have been negotiated with Swindon Borough Council, including consultations with South Swindon Parish Council and other key stakeholders in the local community.
Brian Mullin, planning consultant at Marrons Planning, part of law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, who submitted the application on behalf of Blewbury Court Ltd said:
“The latest planning application is the latest phase in a series of planning permissions negotiated with Swindon Borough Council for the regeneration of this part of the Old Town. The apartments will deliver high quality rental accommodation for young professionals, with the typical individual profile tenant having spare income and seeking active and contemporary urban living. There are fantastic heritage benefits by securing the refurbishment and future use of the Grade II listed Offices and the enhancement of this neglected part of the conservation area around Little London Road and Albert Street.
This investment will support and increase the strength and capacity of the local community, improve the vibrancy of the area and help to contribute to health of the local economy”
Mark Holden of Blewbury Court Ltd, said: “We are delighted after much investment and hard work to save this important building from neglect. Our aim is to preserve this pinnacle of the Old Town’s history, whilst creating high-specification, competitively-priced homes which will help the immediate population in Swindon and bring a much-needed boost to the local housing market.”
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