DEVELOPERS have won permission to renovate the historic heart of the old Adver building.

Blewbury Court wanted listed building consent to turn the Grade II listed front of the Victoria Road building into modern offices.

A separate application, approved last month, seeks to convert the more modern block behind Victoria Road and formerly the home of the print works into 31 flats. Planners demanded developers commission a noise survey before the flats can be occupied.

Edd Johnson of Blewbury Court said: “It’s been a long and costly journey for us. At times we have felt unsupported and wrongly maligned, as we respect and wish to safeguard this beautiful Swindon Old Town heritage building, whilst ensuring every consideration is given to preserving and enhancing the existing architecture.

“We want to engage with local stakeholders and promote close cooperation with the local community. This scheme links closely with the residential scheme approved recently, allowing much needed homes and working spaces for local people now and for generations to come.”

The stone-fronted Victoria Road building dates back to the mid-19th century. It was once home to the Evening Advertiser printing presses.

The building is Grade II listed, although various changes over the years has meant little survives of the original building apart from the large Venetian windows and wood-panelled former editors’ offices.

John Somers, the borough’s conservation officer, was dismissive of the original plans submitted on Blewbury Court’s behalf.

He wrote: “It is quite disappointing that there is really no attempt by the application to rediscover the building’s significance and heritage by the provision of any ‘heritage benefits’ with many of the works the minimum required to refurbish the building.”

Compromise between the borough and developers later saw the restoration of higher ceilings demanded by Mr Somers as a key feature of the original building written in to plans. He backed the scheme as acceptable from a conservation perspective.

Borough planners granted listed building consent. Building works must be carried out within three years and a list of repairs must be approved by the council before builders move in.

No decision has yet been made on a bid to convert the old Adver paper reel store and garages into 14 homes.

Reacting the planning approval, Patrick Herring, vice-chairman of South Swindon Parish Council’s planning committee, said: “I welcome the news that plans are progressing and that the building isn’t going to be left empty for a long time like so many of our other heritage buildings.

“However I think the statutory planning process for this one has let both the local community and the developer down, and it’s important that the developer engages with the community and continues to consult with South Swindon Parish Council to make sure that the plans are right for the area and supported by local people.”