Old Swindon College building to become cinema

A derelict building in Swindon will be demolished and replaced with a cinema, supermarket and restaurants.

The Conservative run borough council's planning committee approved the plans on Tuesday for the former Swindon College building on Victoria Road.

The development will centre around a new public square and demolition will take place before the end of the year.

Planning permission was granted on the condition any anti-social behaviour on a proposed walkway was monitored.

Victorian building

There had been concerns that round-the-clock access to the site along the north-south walkway would mean it could be used as a short cut by late night revellers between the town centre and old town.

Councillor Dave Wood requested a gate be used, which could be shut while the development was closed at night.

The buildings have not been used since September 2006.

The plans involve demolishing the 1960s and 1970s buildings, but retaining a 19th century Victorian building originally developed as Swindon Technical School.

A total of 450 car parking spaces would also be created.