HALF of an office block in Old Town could become flats – just as the other half of the building has been converted.

And if approved it could mean probation officers might be looking for a new place to work.

Developer Peter Triggs of Swindon-based Trimac Properties Ltd has applied for prior approval notification to turn the northern building of Centenary House at 150 Victoria Road into 15 flats.

He wants to convert the top three floors of the four storey office block into apartments. At the moment the offices on the first storey are occupied by staff working at the Swindon probation service.

The Wiltshire Probation Trust is not aware of the application.

The plan follows the conversion of sister block into 35 flats a few years ago.

If approved, there could be four flats on the second and third level and seven on the top floor – nine would be one-bed flats, three would have one double bedroom and a single bedroom and three would have two double bedrooms.

Mr Triggs’ application said: “The existing building remains generally unaltered externally.

“The location of the flats is very central, approximately 400 metres from the town’s main shopping area and within easy walking distance to the local and regional buses and the national railway network, thus providing a very sustainable housing solution.”

It acknowledges the Royal Institute of British Architects has said office to flat conversions can sometimes be of low quality, in particular in term of space, light and ventilation as well as being in poor locations long way from shops and services.

Mr Triggs said: “The flats are designed to meet the Housing Association standards of accommodation and match or exceed the provisions of the government`s national space standards.”

The offices have large windows already and the flats will befit form that light and the windows will be openable – and there will be positive ventilation units, which bring in fresh air form outside, fitted to the flats.

As ever with developments in Old Town parking may be an issue. Spaces for the office workers and the residents in the southern block of 35 flats are arranged on three levels.

The application said there are 10 spaces for the sole use of the northern block and another three will be allocated.

But some are concerned.

Jim Scudamore, who lives in the tight warren of terraced streets behind the building, said: “Parking is already tricky around here.

"There might be 20 or 30 cars for the people who live there, more than the spaces, and they’ll want to park in the evenings and at weekends, unlike the office workers.

If planners at Swindon Borough Council say prior approval applies, then Mr Triggs will not have to make a full application for planning consent. If it does not apply in this case, he will have to seek formal planning permission.

When contacted Trimac Properties said Mr Trigg was not available to comment.