The application, S/26/1107, proposes the erection of 11 storage units and associated works on vacant land behind properties on Newport Street, close to Dewell Mews.
The buildings are described in the planning application as B8 storage units, although drawings show a layout resembling rows of garages, prompting questions from nearby residents about exactly how they would be used.
One Newport Street resident, Emily, says development of the land could bring much-needed improvements for people living and working on the street.
Emily described Newport Street as being “like a lost street in the centre of Old Town” and said one of her neighbours had been trying to resolve the parking situation for 16 years.
She also said the land behind the properties was currently in poor condition and argued that bringing it back into use would improve the area.
“This land is in desperate need of development,” she said.
She described the site as overgrown wasteland and said residents had experienced problems with rats and flies, while also raising concerns about the condition of old walls behind Newport Street properties.
The application states that there are currently 10 parking spaces and that 10 would remain after the development is completed.
It also describes the proposed buildings as storage units rather than garages. That distinction has prompted questions about how the site would actually operate.
A resident of nearby Dewell Mews, who has not said whether he supports or opposes the application, told Swindon24 he wanted greater clarity about several aspects of the proposal.
Among the issues he raised were the hours during which people would be able to access the units and whether access would be restricted, for example through a gate or key code system.
He also questioned the height of the proposed buildings. The drawings show parts of the proposed development reaching approximately 3.6 metres in height.
He also highlighted the apparent difference between the description of the buildings as “storage units” and their appearance on the submitted drawings, which resemble garages.
The planning application states that the development would not create any jobs and lists opening hours as not applicable.
No new or altered vehicle or pedestrian access to the public highway is proposed.
Emily said she remained supportive of developing the land, particularly because of the access and parking difficulties faced by Newport Street residents, but acknowledged concerns from neighbouring residents about issues such as noise.
Further clarification is therefore needed from the applicant over whether vehicles would be stored in the units, who would be able to rent or use them, what hours they could be accessed and what security arrangements would be put in place.
The wider dispute has also highlighted the long-running parking difficulties faced by people living on Newport Street.
