Recovering from the recession

After what can only be described as a ‘challenging’ 18 months, the UK’s economy looks like it is beginning to pick up, and towns and cities around Britain are once again preparing to drive their regeneration frameworks forward. In Swindon, we have been delighted to have been able to start 2010 on a very positive note.

In January 2010, the Centre for Cities launched its annual report – Cities Outlook 2010 – which ranks the economic performance of cities across the UK. Against a backdrop of recession, the report looked at those towns and cities which have been hardest hit, and how recovery can be driven.

In this report, Swindon was rated third in the UK’s top ten cities with the highest employment rate – giving an indication of the positive position the town is currently in.

Among our list of recent successes has been the delivery of a major public realm improvement programme. Residents, workers and visitors alike will soon be able to fully enjoy the new and improved landscape and outdoor facilities at Canal Walk – one of Swindon’s busiest shopping areas.

The £3.9m refurbishment project, which began back in August 2009, is about to draw to a close creating a vibrant and contemporary street scene which will have a really positive impact on those who use the town centre on a regular basis.

Canal Walk has been transformed using high-quality stone paving, new benches and unique interactive lights to bring the areas to life. It also plays host to a new water feature and living green walls, which provide points of interest to passers by.

The Canal Walk refurbishment is now complete and the people of Swindon are starting to enjoy their new surroundings. The importance of public spaces cannot be underestimated, as it is the areas in between buildings as well as buildings themselves which leave people with an impression of the town and give it an identity. We want people to enjoy the shopping experience here and feel safe and comfortable as they do so. To that end we have encouraged good design and the careful use of high quality materials in order that Canal Walk stands the test of time.

Full regeneration programmes take many years to deliver, and so improving existing open spaces and public areas can give that real feel of change.

To this end, work doesn’t stop with the completion of Canal Walk. Over the coming weeks, construction will begin on the Regent Street improvement works, which will run from the new water feature at Canal Walk up to the edge of Regent Circus.

Using the history of the area for inspiration, plans have been created which pay homage to the old trams that once travelled up and down the street, with design features symbolising this traditional method of travel. Further improvements will include interactive lighting, new street benches and trees and the removal of old trees and phone boxes to de-clutter the area and encourage full use of outdoor space.

The vision is to create an attractive town centre and good quality public areas are key elements in achieving this. With Canal walk completed, Regent Street will be the next step to improving what Swindon has to offer.

Of course, there is a lot more going on in Swindon beyond public realm programmes. In fact this year the town is expecting a number of our larger-scale development schemes to really take shape. First in line is the construction of a new BHS retail unit, a flagship store that will be anchored by a new BHS clothing stop, supported by five further retail outlets. The demolition crew on this project moved in at the beginning of this year, and it is hoped that the project will be completed by the summer of 2011.

A major refurbishment programme at Swindon’s railway station forecourt will also begin this year. As well as all this, plans are picking up pace for the Union Square and College site developments. Union Square presents an outstanding development opportunity for Swindon, and has already secured £350m of investment into the town centre. This 7.1 ha scheme will ultimately provide one of the best mixed use developments in the South West.

We are currently working closely alongside Muse Developments to finalise an outline planning application for phase one of the scheme – which will comprise of 45 sheltered dwelling units, a new Primary Care Trust and a multi-storey car park. We are in the process of agreeing deals and signing contracts, and are very hopeful that we’ll be in a position to submit a planning application over coming months. If all goes according to plan, we look forward to starting on site late summer 2010.

An outline planning application for the rest of the development is due in 2010 – and we hope to be ready to begin on site with phase two of the scheme in the latter part of 2011 – bringing an array of new offices and public realm facilities to life.

Plans are also progressing for a long awaited development on Swindon’s Old College site. With discussions ongoing to finalise details for this entertainment and leisure led scheme, we are hoping to submit a planning application in the near future, which will ultimately deliver a seven screen cinema, a variety of bars and restaurants and a new supermarket.

In order to provide continuous support for Swindon’s ongoing regeneration plans, Swindon Borough Council has also recently made a number of strategic purchases of buildings that have been acquired following the collapse of Modus Properties last year. To date, this investment totals £1.3m. Our hope in purchasing these properties is to create access into any opportunities for future development in the area.

There is, without a doubt, a lot going on in Swindon. With a very positive outlook for 2010 and all of these developments moving forward, it is a very exciting time. I believe over coming years we will be able to deliver a much improved Swindon, for the benefit of those who work, live and visit here.

Councillor Phil Young is the lead member for Regeneration, at Swindon Borough Council. To find our more visit: newswindon.co.uk