Another application has been lodged for the conversion of a former GWR building into flats, the fourth in as many years

GWR Works: It took three separate applications, including one failed appeal to the government inspector, but FFTE Development Ltd, which finally got permission to convert the old GWR telephone exchange in Firefly Avenue last year has put in another application.

The company wants to change the lay out of the eight apartments it can build in the building, which is sandwiched between the entrance to the pedestrian underpass and the railway line.

The new plans show there would be four flats on the ground floor and four on the upper storey all with spiral staircases to rooms on a mezzanine floor.

Euclid Street: As work progresses on conveying the upper floor of the Civic Offices to the new home for the museum and art gallery, Swindon Borough Council has asked its own planning department for permission to move the siting of the doorway into the lift lobby.

The reason given is to improve access to the lift lobby on the first floor, especially for people with disabilities. The fabric of the door and the lift will remain unchanged.

Queens Drive: Noise at the flats and houses built, and still being constructed on the site of George Gay Gardens does not cause a problem for residents.

One of the conditions of permission for the building of the houses and flats was to ensure noise from the busy main road was not intrusive.

A survey of unit 149, the home considered most at risk from disturbance showed noise levels no higher than 35 decibels in the day and 30 at night, within the acceptable parameters.

Extensions: Applications have been lodged to build extensions to houses, or outbuildings or to convert lofts and garages into habitable rooms at 15 Wheeler Avenue, Stratton St Margaret; 69 Hunters Grove, Ferndale; 89 Elmore, Eldene; Accolade, ham Road, Liddington; 1 Danestone Close, Middleleaze and 7a Beaney View, Moredon.

Applications for extensions have been approved for 70 Lansdown Road, Old Town; 14 Burden Close, Stratton St Margaret; 41 Birch Street, Kingshill; 16 Ancona Close, Ramleaze; 14 Nyland Road, Nythe; 38 Reynolds Way, St Andrews Ridge; 30 Wentworth park, Freshbrook; 1 Little Hinton Farm Cottages, Hinton Parva; 2 Richardson Road, Blunsdon St Andrew; 10 Tamar Close, Haydon Wick and 96 County Road.

A request for a certificate of lawfulness for a single-storey rear extension at 6 Beacon Close in Rushey Platt has been refused. The house is at the end of a short cul-de-sac. The council’s planning policy says planning permission is needed to develop that site.

The refusal does not preclude the applicant getting that planning permission after making a full application.

A plan for a detached garage with an annex forming extra accommodation has been turned down at 49 Bramble Road, Elgin.

The council’s planners said: “By reason of its height, massing, dormer windows and forward position relative to the dwelling, the proposed building would lack subservience in character and scale and would be out of keeping with the form and layout of the terrace of bungalows.

“As such the proposal fails to demonstrate a high quality of design appropriate to the local context.”