The new plan envisages significant changes in the town centre, particularly around the railway station and the Wyvern Theatre at the top of Regent Street.

It could see parking used by commuters being lost.

The plan says: “Land around the railway station is predominantly occupied by surface car parking and this lends the station a ‘parkway’ character not consistent with its town centre location.

“There are clear opportunities to use the land around the station for more appropriate uses and deliver and upgraded station which reflects the railway’s prominence in Swindon’s history.

History as shown in the museum is central to another item in the plan- the plan to create a ‘cultural quarter’ with a rebuilt, and expanded Wyvern Theatre, which would host the art gallery and museum which has outgrown its Bath Road home.

The new building might also house the public elements of the borough council’s work.

The plan says it is necessary to solve the ‘challenging level change' between the theatre and its car park and create a high quality, family-friendly night time economy cluster in the area just north of Regents Circus.