Talk Back

Big Screen Controversy

A debate has been taking place in the national press recently (namely The Times) about the installation of BBC Big Screens across the country, in preparation for broadcasting the 2012 Olympics. Those against the screens claim they are intrusive, destroy the aesthetics of towns and impact badly on regeneration plans - we beg to differ - we are very proud of our screen in Swindon.

Through careful planning, we have developed Wharf Green into a useable and attractive public space which has provided a real buzz in the town centre. The screen is not just an add-on as many in the country, but specifically designed to be part of a major refurbishment of a public square in Swindon. And far from being uncultured, our screen will show a wide variety of content that reaches every spectre of the local culture - art and drama, film, sport, news and even some content produced by people living in Swindon.

Big Screens can play a vital part in the regeneration of towns across the UK if combined with the physical improvements to the spaces where screens are proposed - Wharf Green in Swindon is a winning example.

Please see the link below for 'The Times' article on Big Screens.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/london_2012/article4393535.ece

Swindon in the Media

The media has been littered with doom and gloom stories about the credit crunch and hardship, but there have been a few glimmers of light recently that I want to draw your attention to.

The first is an article published in the Western Daily Press on 19 July which highlights that according to a recent study by the Works Foundation, Swindon is the fourth most productive place in the UK ? coming out above London in the rankings.

The second article appears in the latest edition of Swindon Business News which predicts that Swindon businesses are set to outperform other towns and cities in the UK by a large margin over the coming months.

Swindon is an economic powerhouse and Developers continue to recognise the long term potential of Swindon and are willing to commit to our regeneration plans - development agreements are on the cusp of being signed.

At a time of economic uncertainty, it is good to know that Swindon is set to weather the storm.

If you wish to read these articles, please follow the links below.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Swindon-West-s-productive-place/article-225589-detail/article.html

Regeneration Update

Having received a number of comments from people venting frustration about the lack of progress in the regeneration of the town, I want to reassure you that while you may not see any action on the ground, things are progressing behind the scenes. I realise it can be very frustrating that things take time - it is just as frustrating for us, believe me.

But I would like to reiterate that projects of this scale and nature are inherently time consuming. There are many parties involved and numerous issues to consider, meanwhile, the economic climate in which we find ourselves is ever changing.

I can tell you that we are in the final stages of negotiations with Modus and Muse regarding Regent Place and Union Square and hope to have the development agreements signed shortly. This will be a huge milestone in the regeneration of Swindon and signal an important step moving forwards.

I will make sure to keep you updated ? please bear with us, change is happening, but we want to put in the time and effort to do it properly.

A Big Thank You

On behalf of everyone at The New Swindon Company I just want to say a big thank you to all those who came along to the switch on of Big Screen Swindon on 2 May and showed their support for the regeneration of the town.

The event was a great success with Swindon Dance providing entertainment, a penalty shoot out with STFC football players, face painting, Dizzy Dean on stilts and of course a live BBC broadcast with Alex Lovell and Richard Angwin.

This was a great opportunity to involve the community in what is the first area in Swindon to be redeveloped and I hope Wharf Green will now be an area that locals and visitors can enjoy.

A special thank you to all those involved in the preparation for the event and the co-ordination of activities on the day.

Update on the projects

The credit crunch is without doubt having some kind of effect on regeneration projects throughout the country. It is more difficult to obtain funding. However, with the Union Square development being such a long-term project, current dips in the market should not have too great a bearing on the project moving forward. Obviously there have been delays with the Development Agreement and everyone is frustrated, however this is the nature of this type of work and we have to keep positive and maintain the momentum. I do think we are now at the last furlong with some minor design work being agreed, so all being well, the agreement will receive the approval of our three partners respective Boards/Cabinets and can then be formally signed sometime in June. Everyone's patience is appreciated.

With regards to Regent Place, the legal side of the Development Agreement has virtually been agreed and there are only a few issues to be ironed out between Modus and Swindon Borough Council. Once the document is signed the CPO can be confirmed and the acquisition route can commence.

Many thanks to all for the support on the Wharf Green/Big Screen launch.

A Date for your Diary

The date has been set - May 2^nd will see the launch of Big Screen Swindon and Wharf Green. The giant BBC screen will be officially switched on during a live BBC broadcast with BBC Points West's very own Alex Lovell, in an event we hope will be attended by as many people as possible. This is a day not to be missed so put it in your diary now. There will be entertainment for the whole family, including street dancing, interactive games, face painters and entertainers.

This is a real milestone in the regeneration of Swindon, so please come along and show your support. We look forward to seeing you there.

Swindon takes to the stage at Think 08

For the second year running we will be exhibiting at the Think Exhibition from 7-8 May at ExCel, London, along with Muse Developments.

The exhibition is all about thinking through and delivering sustainability in the built environment and a great opportunity to highlight the sustainable regeneration plans for Swindon town centre. It is also a chance to increase awareness to construction and property professionals about what Swindon has to offer as a business destination and a place to live. If you are interested do come along to ExCel or show your support and spread the word to others.

Mecca Bingo

As reported recently in the Swindon Advertiser, the town's Mecca Bingo hall has been shut down and sold to Swindon Borough Council. The Mecca building has been on the market for over a year and has now been brought into The New Swindon Company's regeneration plans. The intention is to improve both Clarence Street and Princes Street and provide a better pedestrian linkage between the island site and Library/Town Hall Square.

This is a strategic purchase that will help improve both the vehicular and pedestrian connections and reconnect Old Town and New Town. It will provide a landscaped setting to the new library and make the most of new investment that is being made into the old college site.

Regeneration Programme Update

TALK BACK COMMENTS

It has been sometime since I last spoke with you, much has been happening so I would like to take a few moments to update you where we are with progress on the regeneration and answer some recent questions.

The development Agreement on Union Square, frustrating as it is we are still working through the final details of the development agreement and are hoping to have it signed in the next month or so. Some concern has been raised over the 'Credit Crunch'; Financing is significantly more difficult with banks requiring greater equity injection or company guarantees coupled with nervous retail and office occupiers. However the developers, MUSE, are long term investors and will carry the peaks and troughs. Rest assured the end result will be worth the wait.

Work has started on the Jury's site, on the corner of Fleming Way & Princes St, with the site currently being cleared ready for the development.

Modus: Regent Place, The Baptist Tabernacle stones have been purchased will be used as the entrance to the development from Regent Street. The Art Gallery was taken out of the scheme due to viability. The programme remains much the same with the scheme opening in 2011.

Green spaces, I understand the concerns about green spaces; however, we are working in a fairly small, high-density urban area where vast open green spaces are just not viable. We are doing what we can to improve the public realm with the planting of trees and such like in the town centre. Equally, links to Swindon?s Parks will be greatly improved as part of the regeneration programme. As for the canal, this is a very long-term project and we are keen to ensure that it does not hold up any other regeneration plans whilst feasibility studies continue.

Masterplanners announced for The Promenade

Great news! Capita Architecture has been appointed as Masterplanners for The Promenade. Their job will be to undertake a feasibility study to determine how the area can be developed to the best of its potential. In particular, they will be looking at economic and architectural elements and assessing how new facilities can be integrated with existing areas of the town. Capita Architecture has lots of experience as Masterplanners, having worked on high profile projects like the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and we are delighted to have them on board. They aim to complete their study by the end of February and the results will be paramount in moving the project forward. I will keep you informed of the outcome of the study and the next steps for The Promenade.