A property developer given permission to convert a landmark building in Old Town last year has just been refused consent for the same scheme.

The issue is how much the developer should pay to improve open spaces in the urban parts of Swindon.

In 2022 Developer Brett Invest Ltd, based in London, was given the go-ahead to build extensions to the former Regent Hotel 151-152 Victoria Road to be used two five-bedroom HMOs and flats.

The ground floor would have two shared flats with five single bedrooms each, with communal kitchens and living areas, while the upper floor would have five self-contained single apartments and a rear extension with 10 single-bed flats across three floors.

But work has never started on the plan.

Now the same developer, applying to do exactly the same things, has been refused permission.

The report into the latest application says the developer and the council could not come to an agreement on how much Brett Invest should pay to the council to improve the local facilities under the Community Infrastructure Levy.

This is a common charge imposed upon property developers.

It says the owner disputed the council’s calculation of how much was chargeable “on the basis that they believe they have evidence that the existing building floorspace can meet the ‘in continuous lawful use’ test, which would lead to existing floorspace being deducted from the chargeable floorspace for the development and the overall total liability for the scheme reducing”.

This is not, however, the reason for the refusal of the new application made towards the end of last year.

Developers are often asked to make a financial contribution, and as this development is in the heavily urban Eastcott ward in Old Town, the council wanted £14,000 to continue to outdoor spaces away from the site, local parks, offsite sports facilities and allotments.

The developer did not agree that sum, which has led to the refusal of consent.

The council report says: “The current proposals fail to make provision for off-site open space contribution that will enable the development to be acceptable in planning terms as the site is located in Eastcott Ward.”

At the time of the first application Brett Invest said: “The proposals would provide much-needed housing within Swindon for first-time buyers/rental that would not conflict with the proposed uses or surrounding area.”

The developer’s agents have been contacted for comment. No reply has been made at the time of writing.