A LANDMARK development for Swindon town centre that took nearly a year to get the go-ahead could now be in doubt.

Beaufort Western last year became exasperated with the delay in gaining planning consent for the Phoenix Gate scheme for 189 apartments in Fleming Way.

After permission was finally granted in November the firm was ready to plough ahead with the £20 million development.

But now, after merging with its sister company Crosby Homes, the plans are being reviewed.

The rethink has been partly prompted by Consignia pulling out of its part of the scheme to relocate its central Post Office from Theatre Square to its Fleming Way site.

Cash-strapped Consignia is now planning to close both its Fleming Way and Theatre Square branches and base its town headquarters at a new post office at Plaza 21 instead.

Fitting out will soon take place at the luxury town centre apartment block, but it will not be finished until the end of the year.

That means the Fleming Way branch cannot close until then and Crosby Homes will not be able to do anything with the Phoenix Gate scheme until it does.

The firm claims that, because it cannot act until December at the earliest, it has taken the opportunity to review the ambitious project. But it is understood that the company is actually planning to sell the scheme to another developer, because Crosby Homes is not interested in pursuing it.

Crosby's development director, Jason Collard, said he could not rule out the possibility.

"We are developers and it would be wrong to say that isn't on the agenda," he said.

"The market always talks and there are always rumours flying around. All we've done is kept our heads down.

"We are reviewing the project over the next few months while the Post Office move takes place.

"The whole thing has been delayed for all sorts of reasons and it will be delayed further, because we can't do anything until the end of the year. We are simply taking the opportunity to ensure that what we have consent for is what we want to build. There is no need to rush."

Consignia, meanwhile, which recently reported losses of £1.1 billion, was unable to comment on its plans in any detail.

Spokesman Richard Smith said: "There are still some details to sort out with the plans and we will be communicating with customers and staff over the next few weeks."

The Phoenix Gate scheme was first unveiled 18 months ago and was so named because it was expected to herald a new, exciting dawn for the town centre's gateway, forming a key part of the town's 30-year vision.

The bid came during the construction of Beaufort's successful Plaza 21 development, but was to prove far more problematic.

The council twice threw out the plans amid a dispute over the apartments' appearance and shortage of affordable homes.

Beaufort reacted angrily to the delay, saying it was costing the firm hundreds of thousands of pounds. It reluctantly tweaked the drawings before finally winning permission last November.