More developers are eyeing up some of the slightly run-down buildings in Fleet Street in the centre of Swindon.

The areas of Fleet Street and Bridge Street have been identified by Swindon Borough Council as being likely to be on the up as developers look to convert old shop or office buildings into housing, and the council sees such developments as one of the keys to the regeneration of that part of the town centre.

Now developer Gary Richman of Faikelnic Holdings Ltd, based in Swindon, has put in two applications for the same stretch of buildings.

Ione seeks to retain the shops in a small parade between 39 and 45 Fleet Street but to build another storey on the two flights of offices above the ground floor to create six flats.

The other is for prior approval to turn the offices on the first and second floor into 14 flats.

If both applications are approved, 20 flats will become available.

The 14 flats to be converted from the offices above the shops would comprise 12 one bed units anjd two two-bed flats, one on each floor.

Mr Richman’s application says the change of use is needed to prevent the units from remaining unoccupied.

The larger application says the building at the back of the units would be knocked down to create 15 parking spaces for the residents.

Then another storey would be built with six flats: “The erection of an additional storey to form six one-and-two bedroom apartments at third floor level maximises its potential, taking account of the general character of the surrounding buildings and the identified constraints over three storey levels.”

The application says: “The site is within walking distance of local amenities and bus stops; it is considered that car parking is not required at the site in accordance with the council’s adopted standards  but 15 unallocated car parking spaces are provided to serve the residential.

It says changing the use from commercial premises would create fewer visits than is permitted now and would not add pressure on parking provision nearby.

South Swindon Parish Council isn’t keen on the plan.

It has objected on the grounds that the flats have only one side with windows, that the fire escape route for the font-facing apartments in through kitchens, where fires are more likely, and it thinks the top floor flats my overheat and be poorly ventilated in hot weather.

It is also concerned about bin collections.