Dangerously rotted windows at Swindon’s favourite museum feature in applications and decisions this week

Steam Museum: Bosses at Steam Museum, which is owned by Swindon Borough Council will be able to replace a window on the west elevation of the listed building. 

The application says the work is needed because the window surrounds have become badly decayed above a visitor entrance: “It was initially proposed to repair in situ a decayed timber framed window on the West elevation.

"The situation worsened when two panes of glass became dislodged and due to the location, above the main entrance, remedial works were deemed urgent.” 

Planners said the loss of the window was regrettable as it is a historic fixture but the replacement looked the same as the other original windows and would be acceptable.

Town Centre: Two flats to be built in storey to go above a shop will no longer have balcony terrace gardens. Amanda Holdings PLC has permission to build two extra storeys on to the former Co-operative Funerals units at 49-51 Regent Street.

It will be able to convert the first floor to three flats and put another six into the new storeys to be added.

But it has told planners two of the flats on the first floor can no longer have terrace gardens because the ground floor roof is higher than first thought.

Planners said the loss of outdoor space was regrettable, but the flats would be in easy reach of parks and garden in the town centre.

Wanborough: A barn at Honeyfield Farm in The Marsh in Wanborough could be turned into a family home. Charlie Stalker has applied to be able to convert the large barn, putting in a floor to create and upper storey, which would hold three bedrooms and a family bathroom, with a living room, study, kitchen diner and utility room.

Penhill: A second attempt by A Cook and S Mead to get consent for a ‘granny annexe’ in the back garden of their house at 12 Lacock Road has failed.

The couple’s proposal to have a larger flat built in their garden was refused in September for being too large. A smaller version, with a bedroom, bathroom and lounge/kitchen has also been turned down by planning officers.

They said: “It is considered that the proposed single-storey detached annexe to provide ancillary accommodation represents a dominant, bulky form due to the sheer scale of the proposal which has a similar footprint to that of the host dwelling and as such fails to be subordinate.

“As the garden is generally exposed, the building would be widely visible from the wider estate. The proposal disregards the character and context of both the host dwelling and the surrounding area.”

Queens Drive: The noise from the busy main road is not deemed to be a nuisance to residents who will live in flats and homes built on the site of the former George Gay Gardens sheltered housing blocks. A noise survey taken from the flat deemed most to be at risk of noise nuisance says the sounds of traffic are within acceptable levels.

Extensions: Applications have been lodged with the council’s planners for consent to build extensions at Arthurs Meadow, Pentylands Lane, Highworth and 13 Poynings Way, Grange Park.

A proposal to build an outbuilding in the garden of 3 Beranburh Field in Wroughton has been withdrawn.

Proposals for extensions or outbuildings or the conversion  of garages and lofts to habitable rooms have been approved for: Pigeon Farm, Chapel Lane, South Marston; 114 Wheeler Avenue, Stratton St Margaret; 7 Queensfield, Penhill; 2 New Farm Cottage, The Ridgeway Chiseldon; 4 Orchid Close, Pinehurst; 4 Wollaton Close, Grange Park; 14 Sleaford Close, Grange Park; 6 Polesdon Avenue, Coate; Beech Grove, High Street, Chiseldon;  2 Wardour Close, Lawn; 27 Fanstones Road, Eldene; 16 Westlecot Road, Old Town; 17 Queen’s Road, Hannington; 29 Read Street, Central