Gorse Hill: A property developer has had plans to build homes behind a shop in Cricklade Road turned down for the second time.

Manju Kumar wanted to to convert the top floor of a storage unit into two one-bedroom flats.

In the empty plot behind the shops, fronting on to a spur road off Avening Road, Mr Kumar had planned to build four single-bed flats, two on the ground floor and two on the upper storey.

But planners at Swindon Borough Council were against the scheme saying it is “an ad hoc, contrived and piecemeal form of development, out of character with its surroundings”.

An earlier plan for the site which would have seen a three-bed house and four one-bed flats in two blocks built was turned down by planners.

Blunsdon: Three new houses can be built in the garden of a large house in Broad Bush in Blunsdon.

Julian Gillett, who lives in Ewen near Cirencester, has been given permission for his plans for Holdcroft House.

He wants to extend the existing garage and make that into a three-bed house, and build two further four-bedroom coach houses on the edge of the property.

West Swindon Centre: Hamburger giant McDonald's will be moving its outlet at the West Swindon Centre to the former Blockbusters video rental store which has remained empty for several years. The fast food chain’s application for the change of use of the unit has been approved.

Liddington: Loving couples looking for a rural venue for their wedding or civil partnership ceremony now have somewhere new to consider.

Warren Farms, the company which runs Liddington Warren Farm in in the village south of Wanborough has been given permission to develop some of its buildings as a venue for weddings and corporate events. The company’s application says it experts to hold 30 weddings or civil partnership ceremonies and receptions per year, with additional events on top. The planning application also allows the company to develop the access to the farm off the B4192.

Designer Outlet Village: Up to 70 people could be enjoying a burger at popular chain Five Guys.

The company is coming to open its first Swindon shop at the unit in the Designer Outlet Village, taking over the space previously used by Ed’s Easy Diner.

Planners at Euclid Street have given the go ahead for the seating plans, which will see 38 covers inside the unit and 32 spaces in a terrace dining area.

Railway station: Passengers waiting for trains will have new digital adverts to look at to pass the time. Advertising company Global Outdoor has been given permission to replace a poster site with a digital TV screen at the railway station.

The company’s successful application said: “The integrity, historic interest and structure of the Grade II listed building will remain intact.”

Pinehurst: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton has withdrawn its plans to build a new church in Tovey Road.

St Mary’s Church in Pinehurst is overflowing, officers told planning officials at Swindon Borough Council, and the diocese wants to build a new, bigger church in the existing building’s car park.

The current building would then be used as a church hall for the the community and the congregation.

But the removal of the car park had caused concerns to neighbours, particularly those living in Portal Road.

They said parking in the area was very difficult, especially at service times - they complained that members of the congregation parked in Portal Road and along the park in Tovey Road.

The diocese has now withdrawn the application but specifically to address the parking and transport issue, having confirmed with planners that they are the main obstacle to the plans getting approval.