PLANS to transform the derelict Odeon and Haines & Strange sites are progressing.
Leckhampton Estates, which wants to build new shops and homes at the two spots, has formally submitted plans for the council to consider.
It hopes to create six shops and five homes on the Odeon site in Winchcombe Street.
And there would be 33 homes and 48 flats on the former Haines & Strange motor dealer's site in Albion Street and Gloucester Place.
There is also a proposal to knockdown the shops in Albion Street and replace them with new buildings.
Talks are still on going with the owner of the stretch of stores about whether the land could be sold.
But Leckhampton Estates has included it in its plans so it could be ready to start work should the sale go ahead.
Discussions have taken place with Cheltenham Borough Council about the site and a public consultation began on April 26.
A spokesman for Leckhampton Estates said: "The response we've had so far has been very encouraging. There seems to be a wide acceptance that the area needs a shot in the arm, and support from the public exhibition was overwhelmingly in favour."
More than 80 people visited the public consultation event. Of those who completed a comments form, 97 per cent agreed that the two derelict sites should be regenerated.
Gordon Taylor, who works at Cheltenham Piano Centre opposite the former cinema, was pleased things were finally progressing, adding: "It certainly could not look any worse than it currently does. Anything which clears that area has got to be a good thing."
The original plans were changed in response to comments made during the consultation process.
The design of the homes in Gloucester Place have a Regency look.
The application for both sites should be considered by Cheltenham Borough Council in the next few months.
Town centre manager Martin Quantock said: "I'm really pleased to see there has been some action on this. This is a prime site that has been lying fallow for too long."
The Odeon closed in 2006. Developers said nothing of the original interior remained.
Councillor Klara Sudbury has been running a campaign to save the Odeon, but the developers said it was beyond repair.
