A huge new builders’ merchant will be coming to Swindon.

Planners at Swindon Borough Council have given the go-ahead for the new development to be built on the site of the levelled Pegasus House, an old H-shaped office block in a rectangular site formed by Frankland Road, Ramsden Road and Great Western Way.

Developer Robert Cort Properties has got the permission for that, as well as an outline permission for another unit, with details of precise size and appearance to come later, for industrial or warehousing purposes, or to be used as a retail shop, cafe or restaurant.

Robert Cort Properties’ application said: “Given the industrial context of Blagrove estate, the proposed builder's merchant follows the same language of simple massing, shallow pitched roofs and metal cladding.

“The building is designed to have a low-level grey brick plinth, light grey profile metal cladding to the walls and roof. The light colour softens the mass of the building whilst a darker mid-grey highlights the entrances and frames the form of the building to add interest.

“The chosen materials are functional and simplistic which coincide with the proposed use class. The large expanse of pitched roof lends itself to the installation of photovoltaic panels to the west-facing slope.”

And the plan emphasised that the huge building can be flexible if needed: “The design of the building provides a large flexible warehouse unit which could be re-used for industrial or warehousing purposes should the builder's merchant ever vacate.”

The developer said that five people were employed at the site currently, and the new development would bring another 20 jobs.

In the report recommending approval of the planner, the borough council’s planners wrote: “The site sits in a commercial zone and therefore the surrounding buildings have a variety of different scales and heights dependent on the needs of the company occupying. There are several standard warehouse units and a commercial typology of corrugated metal facades with several loading doors.

“The proposed use as a builders’ merchant would be commercial/industrial in its nature and would also be employment generating.”

The report concluded: “The proposals, by offering a range of buildings and uses that are adaptable to a variety of occupiers in terms of uses and functionality, would also allow for the retention and growth of existing businesses, encourage inward investment, and offer the opportunity to develop key employment sectors.”