DIY giant B&Q plans to build a 100,000sq ft superstore on Swindon's Barnfield Road depot.

The building would be among the biggest of its kind in the country and would create 250 jobs.

Barnfield Road is the heartbeat of Swindon's civic amenities operation.

The tip used by the public would remain, but Swindon Council's base for refuse lorries, gritting equipment and road maintenance would move to the former Southern Electric site in Faraday Road, Dorcan.

B&Q wants to build on all but two acres to the north of the site. The store would be two thirds the size of the Asda Walmart hypermarket in Haydon Wick.

The company already has 90 such warehouses across the country, including Bristol and Read-ing. Spokeswoman Jacqueline Horrix said: "This is our biggest kind of store and if permission is granted will employ around 250 people across the board from management to shop floor workers and individual experts.

"It will have specialist interior designers, paint experts and plumbers and sell a wider range of goods than our conventional stores. More than 40,000 different products will be sold in a venue that will become the place to visit if you want to build a house and decorate it.

"We have done our research and believe Swindon is the right place to build the best DIY warehouse around.

"We hope the application will go through as soon as possible." The warehouse will also feature a 30,000 sq ft garden centre to cater for a growing trend in garden DIY.

B&Q already has a DIY and garden store in Fleming Way, which it insists will remain open.

Swindon council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming stressed that no residential housing was part of the application.

She added: "A planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of most of the depot site as a B&Q warehouse store.

"This could provide an opportunity to relocate Swindon Services to an improved facility. While no decisions have been taken, alternative sites are being considered."

Swindon Council owns the former Southern Electric depot in Faraday Road, Dorcan.

Ms Fleming added: "Discussions have commenced with neighbouring interests regarding the depot relocating to this site."