A disused cattery could be knocked down and replaced with new houses.

Richard James lives at Mill Lane in Westleaze and he has applied for permission to knock down the buildings that were used by Westleaze Cat Hotel, which form an open rectangle around two courtyards.

The 20th century building, very utilitarian in its appearance, is in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Westleaze Farmhouse.

What Mr James intends to do is add an extension to the existing large farm barn just to the north of the cattery buildings, and to convert those into a large luxury three-bed house.

And coming from that new building will be three long rectangular buildings, forming a farmhouse-style courtyard.

The building to the western side will offer a parking garage on the ground floor and a gym and studio space on the upper floor.

The southern building would consist of one two-storey, three bed house, and the eastern building would again offer covered parking on the ground floor, with the first floor being divided into two one-bed flats.

Because the farmhouse right next door listed a heritage report was included as part of the application for planning consent.

It says: “The proposed development will include the demolition of the existing cattery, and the construction of three wings of a new courtyard building for residential and studio use, and with the conversion of the existing post-war barn into a residential dwelling.

"The proposed development will also incorporate landscaping, insertion of a doorway into the existing garden wall, new access route from the existing driveway and the installing of utilities.

“It is concluded that the proposals provide a heritage benefit to the Grade II listed farmhouse, due to an improved architecture and plan form of the existing post-war structures in the evolved farmstead.

“A very small level of harm to the Grade II listed farmhouse is also identified, due to the required doorway in the associated garden wall.”

Comments on the plan can be made on Swindon.gov.uk using the reference number S/24.0607, by Monday, July 8.

The date given on the council’s website for a decision to be made on the plan is Monday, July 29.