Plans to redevelop a hotel destroyed by a fire are still rattling through the planning system.

But the developer is not interested in being wooed with a different site in the town.

A year ago this month developer Paloma II (Industrial) I LLP submitted an application to use the site of the former Madison Hotel with three scenarios: a Homebase with a garden centre and drive-thru Costa Coffee shop, a warehouse or a comparison goods retailer.

The hotel, just off the A420 between the White Hart and Gablecross roundabouts, was burnt down in a fire in 2016.

Swindon Advertiser: Smoke billows from the Madison Hotel during the fire in 2016. Photo: Dave CoxSmoke billows from the Madison Hotel during the fire in 2016. Photo: Dave Cox

Although no change is visible at the site, that is not to say the council’s planners and the company’s agents have not been busy in the last 12 months, with consultees consulted and the applicant submitting more documents.

It is also apparent that council planners have suggested to the developer other units they could use instead, including ones in Greenbridge Retail Park and the closed Morrisons supermarket site at Regent Circus.

A letter from the developer’s agent Harris Lamb this year to the planning department says: “Previously you identified that a number of premises were available to let on the Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park. We explained why these units were not suitable for the proposed uses.

Swindon Advertiser: Designs submitted to the councilDesigns submitted to the council

“We understand that the larger premise on the Greenbridge Retail Park has since been leased to Hollywood Bowl, with only the two smaller premises remaining unoccupied, each offering 6,000 sq ft in floorspace.

“The combined floorspace of these unoccupied premises is significantly below that required as part of this application.”

Of the Morrisons site, the agent says: “The former Morrisons site at Regent Circus is currently under offer and is therefore not available.

Swindon Advertiser: One of the potential uses could be a Costa Coffee drive-thruOne of the potential uses could be a Costa Coffee drive-thru

“We would add that the site contains a service yard of modest proportions. Converting even a small area of this yard to provide an external garden centre would fundamentally undermine its intended purpose.”

One of the considerations planners make in applications of this sort is the impact on other businesses, particularly in the town centre, and existing retail parks.

Swindon Advertiser: Plans for the site submitted to the councilPlans for the site submitted to the council

The applicant’s agent suggests a condition that limits the use of the retail building to selling hardware, gardening equipment furniture and homewares, DIY and painting products, pet products, but not live animals, small electricals, stationary and craft goods, health, beauty and toiletry products and good related to Christmas, Easter, summer and Halloween.

It would not be allowed to sell food.

The developer has previously said that a Homebase store was the most likely user of the retail unit.