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Some may be disappointed that the climbing wall did not go ahead or indeed why was it suggested then withdrawn for reasons that should have been discussed before.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

Posted on Friday 17th August 2007

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Comments

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

Thank you for the recent updates

A couple of questions;

Can more detailed plans of Wharf Green please be placed on this website?

Also can I query if the tented market site (soon to be removed) is included in the plans?

Lastly do you happen to know if following the planning approval granted a couple of months ago if the Brunel Centre are still planning to remove the external canopies?

Many thanks

Gordon

Posted by Gordon on Saturday 1st September 2007

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

New details on Wharf Green will be posted shortly on the site. The work to remove the canopy is not part of the Wharf Green programme and will be undertaken by CIT the owners of The Brunel Centre. In terms of the tented market, it is an extremely important area in the town centre and to the regeneration. Currently we understand details are being worked up by the owners, as more details become available we will let you know.

Posted by Carol on Monday 3rd September 2007

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

We are having a few technical problems uploading the new details for Wharf Green, I hope to have it on the site early next week.

Posted by Carol on Friday 7th September 2007

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

I attended the public displays for the Wharf Green redevelopment where plans for Canal Walk were also on display. It was my understanding that the 2 developments were happening at the same time - is this still the case?

Posted by BOB on Sunday 7th October 2007

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

Canal Walk extends from Brunel West Car Park/House of Fraser up to the Jubilee Clock. The current works do include part of Canal Walk from the car park up to Rosebys across to McDonalds. Should further funding be available we will extend the works.

Posted by Carol on Monday 8th October 2007

Our new Swindon

So at last Swindon is finally getting the investment its residents deserve. With the Library and Wharf Green being completed next year along with works beginning on Regents Circus I think we will finally see ?New Swindon taking shape.? 2009 will be the big year of redevelopment with work beginning on Regents Place and the Exchange. We do seem to be on the cusp of something new and exciting.

We took a while to recover from the shock of Westfield?s sale of the Brunel Centre and without doubt it knocked back redevelopment of the town by about 4 or 5 years. I think at this important stage the planners and the NSC must ensure we build areas and buildings that we will be proud of for decades to come. More Buildings like the Paramount and less like the Holiday Inn Centre Hotel are required.

It was disappointing to read the Wharf Green development was scaled back and now does not including Canal Walk. I hope the other areas of redevelopment (such as the Promenade) gain sufficient funding to ensure we aspire to be a unique if not alternative version of the redevelopments in Bristol, Bath and Reading. We must not let our redevelopment be a compromise.

Thank you for your hard work NSC and please lets now up the momentum of change.

Posted by Gordon on Sunday 11th November 2007

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

Hi the regeneration seems in principal a great idea, most of the plans are a good use of the money. However I have alot of concerns over the TV screen. We suffer like most towns with drunks, drug addicts and gangs congregating in the town center. This screen will only increase the numbers of the afore mentioned groups, giving them another excuse and reason to remain in the centre...

what are your thoughts?

Posted by nik on Friday 15th February 2008

Re: Wharf Green Re-development gets underway.

Thanks for your comment. The newly designed square is very open with none of the sheltered area that can hide people intent on bad behaviour. Equally with more surveillance equipment around people are less like to cause trouble. The other screens are in locations that have just as much if not more issues with drunken behaviour and none of the screens have had any major problems. The Town Centre also now has a team of Street Wardens who will actively manage the area. Regards TNSC

Posted by Carol on Friday 15th February 2008