THE former Old Town home of the Swindon Advertiser could be extended and transformed into 66 flats as part of a £9.6 million regeneration project.

The newest plans put forward for the Grade-II listed Victoria Road building by the developer Blewbury Court would increase the rear of the site to accommodate 26 extra flats.

The building on Victoria Road and the proposed demolition of old warehouses behind it on Albert Street are part of a £9.6m regeneration project. South Swindon Parish Council had expressed concerns about the development but are now slightly more at ease with the developer's wishes.

Coun Nick Burns-Howell said: "One thing that still troubles me is there is no parking provision at all, that's a major concern in such a busy area. However, it's good that they haven't put in planning permission for a multi-storey monstrosity and they've listened to residents' concerns by reducing it from the 12-storey it once was. We need to ensure that the important heritage assets at the front are protected and that residents have a chance to give feedback and influence the plans."

Mark Holden from 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.”

So far, Swindon Borough Council has granted planning permission to convert the former Adver offices into apartments, and to a separate application which improves the rear façade of the building facing onto Albert Street. An application for listed building consent will also be delivered to the council by the developer.

Brian Mullin, planning consultant at Marrons Planning, part of law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, who submitted the application on behalf of the developer, 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 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."