HERITAGE groups are concerned about revised plans for the regeneration of part of the town’s former railway works.

Thomas Homes Ltd has applied for full planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion of the former chain testing building, including some demolition, and the erection of new buildings to provide 201 flats, a convenience store, and office space.

The grade II-listed building, built in 1874, would contain 56 one and two-bedroom flats, rather than offices as originally proposed under a scheme by another developer, Redrow Homes, which was approved by Swindon Council in 2007.

The developer wants to remove parts of the existing buildings to provide open space in the Smithy Yard and car parking, but is suggesting the chain testing area and equipment be kept and made available to the public.

Three new three-storey buildings – with 115 flats in total – would be built to the south-west of the historic building, and a new four-storey building, fronting Kemble Drive to the north-west, would contain a convenience store, offices and 30 more flats.

Thomas Homes hopes this scheme can replace the previous one, which included a hotel, restaurant, 211 apartments and more office space. Some work has already started, but the developer says the scheme includes elements that are not needed to meet demand and would not be commercially viable.

The original permission also entailed a legal agreement to provide a market discount on seven per cent of the homes, and developer contributions of £550,000 towards association infrastructure. About £93,000 has so far been paid, but the developer says the council must alter the agreement as it would not be viable to pay more.

Heritage groups say the plans are not good enough for such a historic building, and fear a design similar to the ‘bland’ Heritage Plaza, another Thomas Homes development on the estate.

In a statement, the Rodbourne Community History Group said: “Our first impression is that the chain testing house will be completely lost within the new residential development of high-density shoe boxes.

“There are too many new buildings, all of which are at least a storey too high, dwarfing the Heritage Area.

“The loss of connection with the past will be exacerbated if the same building materials and bland design are used as in the Heritage Plaza development, which contrast with but do not complement the historic elements of the Great Western Works site.”

Martha Parry, the chairman of Swindon Civic Voice, said: “We are dismayed at the scale and layout of this design, which is a gross over-development of the site for unimpressive housing. This site deserves something ideal, not be treated as a piece of derelict land.”

Daniel Rose, chairman of the Mechanics’ Institution Trust, said offices or a museum would be preferable.

He said: “That whole area is of international significance – and yet more residential on that site and quite poor quality design just isn’t good enough.”

A document submitted in the application states the development would be of a high standard of design and appearance, in keeping with the area’s character.