Ex Network Rail offices in Swindon to be converted into flats
The Station Road building, known as both SN1 and Premier House, could be given a new lease of life if the proposal put forward by Swindon planning consultants DPDS Consulting on behalf of Peachtree Services is approved.
The structure is a self-contained, purpose-built office building that used to be partly occupied by Network Rail.
Peachtree Services represents the owners of the building and has put together the conversion plans because new post-pandemic hybrid working practices have reduced demand for offices while the need for new homes has far outstripped supply.
Outline plans to convert the ground and first floors of SN1 into 20 apartments were approved in May 2023.
A more detailed application has now been submitted which includes the construction of two additional floors and the conversion of floors two to four which would bring the total number of apartments in the building to 82.
Once this is completed, another application will be submitted to set up two more apartments on the ground floor and two further apartments on the first floor.
Part of the ground floor could be used to create a new commercial space for a coffee shop and/or a convenience store.
Peachtree Services managing director Nick Groves said: “SN1 is an attractive building on one of the main thoroughfares through Swindon’s town centre and one of the first buildings visitors arriving by train see as they exit the station to the south.
"It has served the town well as high-quality office accommodation, but since hybrid working has become the norm the interest in such premises has plummeted.
“The council and others are putting great efforts into reshaping Swindon’s town centre and making it a place where people want to live, shop and spend their leisure time.
"We are very mindful of the role we can and should play in this, and are intent on creating new homes that will have the space and light needed for residents to enjoy a good quality of life.
“All the apartments, whether they have one or two bedrooms, will be created in line with the National Space Standards.
"And rather than building penthouses with astronomical price tags, we will make sure that they are priced so that they are within the budget of a wide range of buyers or renters, including single people, couples, and small families.”
During the development stage of the proposals, DPDS has been working closely with officers at Swindon Borough Council.
DPDS Consulting Group managing director Les Durrant added: "SN1, or Premier House as it was earlier known, has been host to many different organisations including Swindon Borough Council over the years.
"It’s important that such a visible building is put to good use, rather than allowed to languish, and we are confident that these proposals will benefit the area considerably.
"They will provide more than 80 new homes in the heart of Swindon, within a stone’s throw of the railway station and within easy walking distance to the Designer Outlet, STEAM, the National Trust HQ, and New College’s North Star campus.
“We have worked closely with Swindon Borough Council planners on this project, and we are hopeful that these proposals will meet with the planning committee’s approval.”
To view the plans, go to Swindon Borough Council’s planning portal and type in S/PAOTH/23/0517 and S/23/0679.