News
The New Swindon Company took centre stage in Westminster this week as it presented the major project areas for the regeneration of the town to some of the UK's leading investors who packed into a briefing held inside the House of Commons.
Having unveiled its proposals for Central Swindon to the local community in July, the Westminster event was aimed at attracting the investors whose backing will be crucial in making Swindon's regeneration a reality.
"Having secured widespread public support for the plans, the next stage was to unveil our proposals to investors at a show case event where we could convey the business case for investing in Swindon", comments Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of The New Swindon Company.
"The response from the private sector has been incredible, with some 50 senior individuals from the country's leading retail, property and commercial development companies attending the event - all of whom were extremely excited about the proposals for Swindon and the opportunities they represented."
The strategies for the major project areas are described in The New Swindon Company's Regeneration Framework. This document is aimed at investors and draws on the extensive economic research and viability analysis undertaken by The New Swindon Company that proves the business case for what the company is proposing. Reference copies of the document will available for viewing at public libraries and central civic offices as well as a downloadable PDF from The New Swindon Company's web-site (www.newswindon.co.uk).
Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Councillor Mike Bawden, attended the Westminster event.
"It was great to see so much support and enthusiasm from the business community", he commented. "No matter how 'attractive' or 'appealing' the proposals for Swindon's regeneration may be, unless they are based on a solid business case, they will never attract the backing of investors and never get off the ground. The New Swindon Company has certainly done its homework and as a result was able to present an overwhelming case for its proposals. The major project areas have been endorsed by the Council's Cabinet and I am encouraged by the interest that has been shown by developers and investors in making the regeneration of our town a reality".
Already cited by Geoff Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), as "one of the most significant regeneration projects in South West England", The New Swindon Company's proposals for the town's regeneration are set to deliver almost 400,000 sq m of total development on 50 hectares of land - this will include approximately 3,000 new homes, 90,000 sq m of office space, 100,000 sq m of retail and leisure and 10,000 new jobs. In terms of new retail provision alone, it is estimated that retail spend could stand at some £900m per annum by 2016.
"It has taken some time to get to this stage," continues Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of The New Swindon Company. "But our extensive research and planning means we are highly confident that our proposals, whilst aspirational for the town, are both achievable and economically viable. There have been many grand plans for Swindon, and lots of discussion, but what we are now witnessing is real progress. It's certainly an exciting time for the town and we want to encourage the people of Swindon to get involved in development plans as each project area comes forward."
Thursday 23rd September 2004