A planning application to replace the Tented Market with high-rise flats and shops may be removed.

The application was recorded as “finally disposed of” as of June 19, due to no decision being reached.

The application was originally made in April 2017 for six to eight storeys of flats, food and drink units and infrastructure works.

Swindon Borough Council can now choose to remove it from their planning register.

Local Government Lawyer, a public sector legal magazine, says a planning application can be treated as finally disposed of if no decision has been made in the determination and appeal period.

The deadline of this period was June 19.

Panther Securities PLC, which owns the market, recently confirmed it was in discussions with local businessman Callum Forbes.

Mr Forbes said he wanted to take over the market’s lease and reopen the market to provide local traders with cheap premises.

He told the Adver in May he hoped to have the keys to the market in his possession in two weeks, but said none of the plans were confirmed.

Shortly before this, workmen were seen in the market, with Panther Securities explaining they were clearing its interior.

They said this was in preparation for an unspecified “short to medium term” use but with the ultimate aim still being to redevelop the site.