A central Swindon landmark which was at risk of becoming an eyesore could in fact be seeing action taken to regenerate it.

Falcon House, the huge office block above the Debenhams building has been empty for more than a decade.

But it would appear that there is some movement toward redeveloping the top six floors into flats.

Last year a development company Rotstone Developments Ltd was given prior approval for the conversion of the offices on floors four to nine of the tower block, which can be seen from nearly everywhere in Swindon town centre, into flats.

Now, although there are some broken windows in the block, passers-by have noticed that some windows in the tower appear to have been opened deliberately.

One suggested to the Adver that it might be a sign of activity.

And there are other indicators or some progress.

When prior consent was given for the conversion was given in September 2021 one of the conditions imposed on the developer was that work must not start before a construction management plan was approved by the council, to minimise the impact on the surrounding area, particularly Fleming Way.

That plan has now been submitted.

Earlier this summer a different company 77 LHS Ltd has put in a construction management plan.

Its accompanying letter says: “This application seeks to discharge the only “prior to commencement” condition imposed upon this prior notification consent namely matters of safe construction of the consented scheme.”

If Swindon Borough Council planners sign off on the plan - then the only obstacle to starting work on the conversion will have been removed.

But it seems there are still some boxes to tick.

However, the council’s highways officer wants the plan redrawn and submitted - specifically with input from the builders who will actually be doing the work.

The response from the highways department says:” The Construction Management Plan is incomplete and not specific, without contribution from appointed contractors. Approval for the plan should not be given.

“Obligations of the condition should not be discharged.”

There are no contact details for 77 LHS Ltd in the information held on the firm by Companies House, save that it has a postal address in London. But there are two charges against the company relating to floors four to nine of Falcon House.

These are, in essence,  corporate mortgages; loans a company has raised on a property, which have to be notified to  Companies House.