Plans for two new tower blocks in the town centre have moved a step closer after the owners of the Brunel Centre have moved towards a formal bid.

FI Real Estate Management previously held public consultations about the plans to demolish part of the centre alongside Wharf Green and build the two towers which would hold 280 one-and-two bed apartments along with shops, cafes and a gym.

The company has now applied to planning at Swindon Borough Council to find out if it needs to provide an environmental impact assessment.

Here’s what you said on Facebook:

Alison Cross-Jones: “This is what they’ve done in Cardiff City centre and now there has been a return of town centre independent shops, smaller supermarkets, bars and places to eat. Tourism is up and it’s been great for the local economy.

“In Cardiff, the accommodation is luxury. Many people have bought properties to be used as holiday or short stay and business lets.

“Swindon with its travel links is well placed for some of the accommodation if purchase to be used like this too.

“Swindon Borough Council needs to consider talking to those that they can to ensure that there can be lower rents and rates for units in the town centre to encourage businesses back.”

Mark Bye: “It won’t be possible. The canal ran through the centre for good reason, the ground holds a lot of water.”

Jenna Palmer: “So this, on top of the proposed tower at the tented market site.

“Where are all these residents going to park their cars? Will the council address traffic flow problems in and around the town centre as a result?

“You know how Commercial Road, Farringdon Road, Westcott Street, London Street and Station Road get completely blocked up.”

Karl Cook: “So they hold a consultation and ignore the local residents’ concerns about parking.”

Mike Ferne: “Might as well just convert Morrisons to flats.”

Simon Thompson: “Won’t happen, lack of funds. Just like the snow dome and other bright ideas in Swindon.”

Katy Little: “Meanwhile the drunks are taking full advantage of that eyesore called the tented market.

“And I mean, if this all goes ahead, where are the residents in town going to park?”

Lee Hallett: “It should be called ‘it will never happen tower’ after ‘it will never happen Snowasis.”

Phil Titcombe: “So what about Bridge Street? Pretty much an eye sore of a few pubs and boarded up shops.”

Asthon Philip Pinheiro: “How to ruin Swindon 101.”

Andrew Little: “Blot on the landscape.”

Gary Stanley: “Can we have a monorail too please?”

Muz James John Murray: “Starbucks having a large coffee shop is just what the town needs.”

Richard Rouse: “Never going to happen, waste of time.”

Mark Weaving: “Need to stop the shops closing first.”

Raf Vitale: “I do like fairy-tale stories.”

Wendy Clymo: “Another trashy building.”

Michael Fitchett: “Too high, always risk for fires and ugly.”

Warren Marion: "Another load of rubbish.Swindon town is useless, don't like shopping online but that's the way it goes this Christmas as we now have no decent shops unless i spend £50 in the pound shops. Disgusted with the town.