TOWN CENTRE: Hands could soon be set to work to turn a one-time massage salon into a restaurant and takeaway.

An application has been made to Swindon Borough Council for new signs to accompany the change of use of the Oriental Wellbeing Salon in Commercial Road to a new food business.

Documents submitted to the council don’t say what sort of food will be served, but the new business would employ five full-time and three part-time staff, and be open between 8am and 11pm.

The application was validated this week, and the council will now begin the process of deciding whether the change of use is acceptable.

The council has also made a number of planning decisions this week.

These include...

PARK SOUTH: Solar panels can be added to the roofs of a new development in Swindon after a planning permission decision by council officials.

The decision to approve the photovoltaic array solar panels is a boost for Swindon Council’s own scheme to redevelop its old George Gay Gardens sheltered housing complex in Park South.

The new development is creating 149 flats and houses at the site.

ABBEY FARM: A resident’s plan to turn an integral garage into a room with a window divided opinion among neighbours – but has been given the seal of approval by the borough council.

Other people living around Scott Rundle in Amethyst Road complained that the garage conversion would set an unwelcome trend, and lead to on-street parking issues.

But there was also support from some neighbours and planning officers decided the scheme was acceptable.

WROUGHTON: An extension which is a mix of one- and two-storeys has been approved for a house in Perrys Lane in Wroughton.

ROUGHMOOR: There’s more work lined up for builders at Webbs Wood, where the council has given the green light to a two-storey side extension, and a one-storey rear extension to a detached house. The application attracted no opposition from neighbours.

RODBOURNE CHENEY: The sound of drills and cement-mixers is also likely to be heard around Richmond Road, where permission has been given for a single-storey rear extension.

STRATTON ST MARGARET: Planning officials have approved a rear extension to a bungalow in Derwent Drive.

There were no comments received from neighbours or from the parish council.

HAWKSWORTH: A plan to breathe new life into a crash repair centre has been given council officials’ blessing. National roofing firm Roofbase can now convert the building in Newcombe Drive into its new Swindon branch. The firm successfully argued that it would bring a vacant building back to life, and generate employment.