Talk Back

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.

A New Year

Happy New Year to you all. 2008 looks to be an extremely busy year for Swindon with works due to start on a number of projects, the old Swindon College site, Union Square and Jury's Hotel. Work will also be completed on Swindon Borough Council's new library and the public realm improvements in Wharf Green with the Big Screen Swindon being launched mid April. Watch out on this website and the local press for details of future Big Screen events.

Swindon Town FC

An unbeaten season and new money.

Well, although everyone awaits decisions on the way forward, there seems to be a true willingness to invest in Swindon Town FC. Some of the ideas - or rumours - are positive. I would like to see the investors revisiting the development proposals suggested by developers, St Modwen. There must be a compromise as to the quantum of development on the site, without removing most of the green area that local residents use. There will not be a great deal of money to made out of a development, but we could see new stand/s, improved hospitality areas, better community sports facilities and a significantly improved presentation to the outside world that all supporters and residents alike, would be proud of. Timing would be perfect now to have these discussions as the redevelopment of the town has started and an improved football club would be a massive lift to the regeneration agenda.

Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

Some may be disappointed that the climbing wall did not go ahead or indeed why was it suggested then withdrawn for reasons that should have been discussed before.

Design of buildings and projects evolve over the length of the planning process. Ideas considered initially to be good are found to be commercially unviable. This was the case with the climbing wall. Design consultants suggested the idea but on detailed research it was proven to be just too expensive. It is our job to ensure viable projects achieve the best quality for the budget or funding that is available.

The public exhibition of Wharf Green produced a number of constructive comments which were extremely useful in helping us finalise the design. Many thought the idea of a climbing wall would produce more problems.

You can't keep everyone happy!

We currently have ground investigation work being carried out on the site. The contractor will start to set the site up from Monday 3rd September. The works will cause a certain amount of disruption, working with inSwindon - the town centre management company, we will try to minimise this as much as possible. The end result will bring a huge improvement and life to this end of town.

Modus get consent for Regent Place

It's just the kind of news we have been waiting for, Modus have been granted outline planning permission for their Regent Place development. This means that the process of CPO can now begin that will enable construction to start toward autumn 2009, with a planned opening date of Easter 2011. This consent also provides greater confidence to investors & retailers that this development will happen. Developers and pioneers a like, are often not pioneers and need the confidence that others are investing. This consent will make a major contribution to challenging perceptions of Swindon.