A new block of six flats is being built in place of a grocery and model shop in the centre of Swindon. 

LF Property Group has begun work on the four-storey block that will hold four apartments - one per floor - at 29 John Street.

The new building replaces the demolished two-storey building that was used by a Romanian grocery and the linking block to the much larger building on the corner, wrapping around into Fleet Street.

The developer is also converting the ground and first floor of that building, formerly Spot on Models and Games, into two apartments, one with one bed on the ground floor and the flat on the upper floor with one double and one single bedroom.

They will share access, built into the new block, with the four two-bedroom flats now being built.

But part of the planning indicates they will have roosts for both bats and birds, especially swifts.

As part of the outline planning consent granted in September, FL Properties has to apply for approval of some reserved matters, specifically how it will ensure a habitat for birds and bats.

The company’s application says that the building will feature six special bricks that are hollowed with a small gap that will allow swifts to nest. Three will be incorporated into the wall facing John Street and three of the northern elevation of the building.

There will be one-panel allowing access for bats to roost on the wall of the access block giving onto John Street and another on the northern elevation between the swift brick

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