Permission has been given to turn a former GWR building in the old railway quarter into flats - at the fourth time of asking.

Highworth Homes can finally start work on converting the two-storey former telephone exchange in Firefly Avenue right next to the ramp up from the pedestrian underpass into the apartments.

Previous applications, which were rejected with one also failing at appeal, were turned down for several reasons - including the lack of accessible cycle storage and the need for access via an external staircase and walkway running directly past the bedrooms of some of the flats.

The new design shows the Victorian building would be converted into eight flats, four on the ground and four on the upper floor. Each apartment would have just one double bedroom.

Access to the flats will now by a central internal hall and staircase instead of the eternal walkway and stair.

Highworth Homes' application said the renovation of the building would be beneficial because of a shortage of housing in the borough.

: “The application site is deemed to be the right type of land, being previously developed.

It is deemed to be available in the right place, being within the built-up limits of Swindon where new housing is encouraged to locate through site allocations and windfalls. The site is provided at the right time where the greatest need for housing is now and where, as a consequence of the Borough Council not having a five year supply of housing, the scheme would add to the local housing supply even as eight apartments.”

The report to members of the Borough Council’s planning committee said: “Changes to the external appearance of the building would be kept to a minimum. The existing external stair would be removed.

“The removal of the external stair will enhance visual appearance of the building and this part of the conservation area, including the relationship with the listed building. The other external changes to openings and the windows will affect the building, but the impact in my opinion would be neutral. Conditions are proposed to ensure the changes are sympathetic to the heritage assets.”

Although the building was constructed in the 1950s its use of stone means it matches the appearance of the rest of the site.

Hemmed in on both sides by the railway behind and the ramp to the underpass at the front the building is currently in a poor state, with windows broken and buddleia growing in profusion outside.