PLANS to build a 17-storey skyscraper in place of the former Swindon College building have been shelved – for the time being at least.

The residential tower, which was to include 250 flats, would have dominated the Swindon skyline and been the same size as the nearby David Murray John building.

But developers say the plans are now on hold as the residential market has “evaporated”.

Swindon Council and developers Ashfield Land do, however, expect to tie up a deal for a major supermarket to move in to the 19th century part of the old college site on Victoria Road during the next couple of days.

Outline planning permission to build flats, the supermarket, restaurants and a hotel was granted last year for the Regent Circus development.

Councillor Phil Young, Swindon Council’s lead member for regeneration, said: “We need to get the supermarket signed. They are shelving the residential tower and it may be revisited in years to come as we still have planning permission.

“Once the supermarket is signed the unsightly building will come down and the supermarket, cinema, retail and catering units will be built.”

Rumours have pointed to Morrisons being close to agreeing a deal to move onto the site, but Andrew Fisher, director of Ashfield Land, refused to be drawn on the name.

He said: “I do not want to jeopardise our ongoing talks, but I can say it’s one of the major food operators, we are about to sign a formal agreement. We are reviewing with the council about the tower at the moment, the current plans for the tower don’t work anymore because the residential market has evaporated.

“There has been a significant change in Government policy because small flats are no longer wanted – they want more family accommodation.

“We are reassessing what the council now wants.”

Mr Fisher added: “When we get our tenants lined up the building will come down, but when will depend on the programme on the final agreement.

“We do know the building will take two years to build. But we have been trying to get this done for two years – it’s entirely dependant on the food operator.”

In 2007 the Adver reported residents’ fears that the building, which was originally to be a 20-storey high, would overshadow their homes.

Plans which are to include a supermarket, restaurants, hotel, cinema and public square were also slammed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. A review of the building said: “There is no logic for the proposed shape or location of the tower and it will overshadow the proposed public square.”