Plans to build two huge skyscrapers in the centre of Swindon, lodged two years ago, are still alive.

In October 2019 FI Real Estate management, the company which owns the Brunel Shopping Centre in the middle of Swindon put in plans to build the twin towers on part of the centre.

One would have 20 storeys and the other 24.

Despite the upheavals of the last two years the company says things are progressing. A spokesman for FI Real Estate said: “We have been working closely with the council following the submission of our application and are now in the process of formalising the Section 106 agreement in relation to the proposed development.

“When this has been finalised, we’re hopeful of progressing towards a positive planning outcome in the future.”

Section 106 agreements, sometimes called “planning gain” are agreements made between developers and local authorities where the developer agrees to pay for, or supply, improvements to the local environment as part of the agreement to allow major plans- examples include money for schools or doctors’ surgeries, children’s playgrounds or improvements to roads.

Together, the plans show, the towers would have nearly 300 flats. The taller of the two, which would loom directly over Canal Walk, would contain 158 one- and two-bedroom flats, and the smaller tower set further back towards Farnsby Street would have 132.

At the bottom will be shops and leisure uses such as restaurants and bars, and above could be 280 one- and two-bedroom flats across the two towers.

The property company says it will also construct a rooftop garden above the first floor leisure space, lounge area, private dining, meeting rooms and co-working spaces.

When the plans were first mooted FI REM’s spokesman said: "It is envisaged that up to approximately 30,000 square feet of leisure space will breathe new life into the town centre’s evening economy and act as an anchor for the southern end of the centre, making it more accessible and appealing for residents to use particularly around Wharf Green. The redevelopment will also provide the opportunity to enhance the current shopping arcade.

"In addition, a much-needed public greenspace will be created in place of the concrete access ramp that currently serves the units, benefitting shoppers, residents and workers alike, as well as a pocket park created in Farnsby Street."

The development would see the unit used by the House of Fraser outlet and the car parking spiral ramp demolished to allow for the new park.

The House of Fraser unit and shops next door to it have already been vacated.