Replacement block for town centre nightclub can go to six storeys

Property Developer Armada Holdings Ltd can go one better in its revamping of an empty building which held the bar and club Broadwalk in Swindon town centre.

The company was permitted to knock down the commercial building, last used as a bar and club, at 32-34 Bridge Street and put up a five-storey building, with a mixed commercial and residential use in its place, last year.

But it has now been given permission by Swindon Borough Council for a proposal where the new building will have six floors.

This will increase the number of flats from 19 to 23.

The developer’s application told planners: “Bridge Street and the surrounding roads that form the town centre area are predominantly characterised by ground floor commercial use and a mix of residential and commercial upper floors.

“The principle of providing additional residential accommodation in this area is supported by strategic aims to significantly boost the supply of homes and appropriately use previously developed land.

“Local Authorities are encouraged to work with developers to subdivide sites for faster home delivery and efficient land use. The proposed conversion of the vacant first-floor area into residential accommodation aligns with these goals, making effective use of underused space.

The drawing included in the application shows the building will consist of a block of four storeys, with the ground floor being set up as a shop, with a fifth storey set back a little from the building front, and the sixth storey set back a little further from the front of the fifth storey.

The company said: “The building has been designed to appear, at street level, visually appropriate for the plot it sits on. The commercial segment of the front facade clearly appears as a commercial unit with two large shop window-style openings and space for shop signage above.

“The front residential entrance is clearly defined from the adjacent shop front because the entrance door is further recessed into the building’s envelope. This design defines the residential entrance but also creates a canopy to benefit future residents of the building.

“When entering the ground floor is designed to appear like a residential lobby. As encouraged by the Swindon Cycle Design Guide, cycle parking is left open to the lobby so that it is clear to residents what the space is used for.”