THE developer behind a bid for flats and shops on a flood-prone car park at Cavendish Square says he hopes the plan will help revitalise the area.

Sukh Mander, who was behind the conversion of Clifton Street School, has now put in plans to Swindon Borough Council.

They show how the car park off Royston Road would be turned into blocks with three shops each on the western and northern edges.

And 14 apartments could be constructed over two storeys built on top of the shops, bordering Whitbourne Avenue.

The application by G&D Estates in Slough says: “The retail units would create new employment opportunities for residents in the local and surrounding areas, necessary in the current climate.

“The layout of the building will be appropriate to the area and sympathetic to the existing retail units fronting on to Cavendish Square and Park Library.”

Each flat would have an entrance hall, an open plan lounge/kitchen/dining room and bathroom with four two-bed apartments and eight with one.

Mr Mander said he knows residents to see the site improved.

He said: “We want to do something that the people living nearby will appreciate and think improves the area.

“We don’t want people up in arms about what we’re doing, that’s no use to anybody. We’ve taken notice over what people have been saying about the site and want to help improve it.”

Newly-elected councillor for Park South Curtis Flux is in favour of the proposals.

He said: “As a Park South resident I know how important Cavendish Square is to our community.

"This is great news for everyone and I welcome the progress and plans for an improved regeneration project of the square.”

Mr Mander’s last project in Swindon was the conversion of Clifton Street School into flats.

He had started to demolish part of the Victorian red-brick building when he was ordered to stop by the council.

An appeal to the court failed and the building had to be rebuilt as it was. That work is now complete.