An empty and rather unsightly office block in the centre of Swindon is being given a new lease of life and two extra storeys.

The large UK Life Centre office block in Station Road had been empty for several years when developer Vinesh Aggarwal was given permission under permitted development rules to convert it into 170 flats.

That permission had to be applied for again because the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of work and the deadline to start work on the project was fast running out.

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Earlier this year Mr Aggarwal was given permission to put another two storeys on top of the existing four - creating another 62 flats to bring the total to more than 230.

And there’s no doubt work has started and is progressing well if you compare photos taken this week with those taken in 2020.

There are two extra floors on the building, which is covered in scaffolding and builders are busy replicating the pattern of windows from the original office layout on the new floors to provide light for future residents.

The conversion of such offices into housing accords with both national policy and Swindon Borough Council’s aspirations for the town.

A spokesman said: “This is one of many changes needed to the town centre in order for it to improve.

“More homes in the town centre will have a positive knock-on effect. Extra people living in the area will increase demand for more shops, restaurants and leisure opportunities which, in turn, will make it a more attractive place for businesses to invest.

“Over the coming years, the town centre will see more homes being built as well as office upgrades and the introduction of new experiences, alongside the traditional staples of a high street.”

There are a number of plans to convert ex-office buildings and buildings such as former pubs and nightclubs into flats in the town centre - particularly in the areas around Bridge Street and Fleet Street near the railway station, not too far from the UK Life Centre.

Schemes include a huge 34-person HMO in a former Victorian pub in Fleet Street and plans for an office block and the former night blub Lava Lounge in the same street and Casbah in nearby John Street all being earmarked for conversion to flats.