Developer proposes third plan for old dance studio

London-based developer Brette Property Group’s proposals to use the old dance studio in Prospect Place in Old Town – last used by the Judith Hockaday Dance School in 2023 – for flats has been turned down.

That follows the refusal of two previous plans, including the dismissal of an appeal to the government’s planning inspector for the last plan - which would have seen a third storey put on the very functional building and the entire thing converted into six flats.

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The new application was significantly different.

Brett Property wanted to create a new story on the two-storey building by adding a mansard roof – where all sides of the roof meet in the middle at a point – reducing the visual impact and shading of the roof.

The ground floor of the building would be converted into two shop unites, with four flats, three one-beds and the fourth a one-bed studio apartment, would be put in on the first and second floors.

The developer’s application said the new roof went towards addressing the reasons given for refusing the previous application: “The proposed additional storey level of the building is of a modest mass, scale and respectful of the plot size, landscape setting and the local urban vernacular.

“The proposed additional storey level of the building is similar, by way of a mansard roof,  to that of other existing properties - Broadcasting House, Paxton House and commercial buildings - along Victoria Road.”

It added: “The application proposal will assist in addressing Swindon’s current housing land shortfall.

“There is no overbearing impact and the proposals do not result in any substantial harm to the existing property, nor does it impact on the character and appearance of the Prospect Place Conservation Area.

“The proposed development will have no impact to the setting of Christ Church as views are not possible from the application site and is located a substantial distance away.”

But Swindon Council planners were again, not convinced.

In refusing the proposal their report said: “Whilst the proposal will result in additional housing to the borough, Community Infrastructure Levy receipts, jobs during construction and increased spending on the economy, the adverse impacts to the character and appearance of the area, and identified heritage assets comprising the conservation area and Grade II*-listed church would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

"The proposal fails to overcome the previous reasons for refusal for a similar scheme on the site.”