Page 5 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 5

to shape up
“The decision to go with AMEC tel, the refurbished or rebuilt
was an extremely difficult process Wyvern Theatre, an art gallery and
as the creativity, quality and stand- possibly a new HQ for Swindon
ard of all the proposals were world Council.
class. With AMEC we are confi- Elsewhere the Paramount build-
dent that Swindon will get a fan- ing on Princes Street has been
tastic, well designed, quality de- turned from an office into a dis-
velopment that will bring vitality tinctive apartment block. Princes
and vibrancy to the town centre.” House next door is being con-
Swindon Council leader coun verted into a Travel Lodge hotel
Rod Bluh, is pleased that a major with residential units on the top
step in renewing the town has been two floors. Davis House will be
taken. “I am thrilled that the re- relocated behind it, facing Spring
generation is now progressing with Gardens park.
great momentum, with recent an- The former car showroom site
nouncements that we are moving on Fleming Way and Princes Street
into delivery mode which will start site is to be redeveloped as a 4 star
to see some major physical changes Jurys Hotel.
in the town cen-
tre.”
Coun Bluh
said that devel-
opers are very
keen on coming
to Swindon.
“There was
huge interest in
the town. We
are without
doubt a hotbed
of opportunity;
many compa-
nies want to
come here.” An Amec illustration for The Exchange development
Plans were
agreed last year for a new library The Brunel West car park on
at the top of Regent Street and Farnsby Street (next to the market)
building started on 28 January with is undergoing a facelift with 420
completion planned for mid-2008. tonnes of concrete cladding being
The three storey building will re- replaced with steel railings to cre-
place the motley collection of tem- ate a brighter, lighter space.
porary buildings which have Outside the car park on Wharf
served the town since the early Green and along Canal Walk to
1950s. the Jubilee Clock, several projects
Closeby, Modus Developments to improve ‘the public realm’ will
will begin a £380 million develop- commence this year to create a
ment called Regent Place (off Com- more appealing and user friendly
mercial Road, with pedestrian links environment.
to the Brunel Centre and Regent The tent outside Debenhams will
Circus) in mid-2008. The 5 acre site be removed and more trees planted
will significantly extend the range to create a greener area.
of shops on offer, and include hous- In the longer term the New Swin-
ing units, restaurants, leisure fa- don Company is formulating pro-
cilities, a hotel and an underground posals for the area around the rail-
car park. Completion is due in 2010. way station and north of the rail-
Opposite the library the former way line around the Oasis Leisure
college building will be demol- Centre, which will be renewed,
ished to make way for housing. replaced or removed.
Plans will be revealed later in the For details and updates, see:
year. www.newswindon.co.uk
The New Swindon Company is
now seeking
views for The
Promenade.
Envisaged
are piazzas,
new traffic
free zones, a
four star ho-
Fleming Way
will be pedestri-
anised to join
The Exchange to
the town centre

1 February 07 5 19/1/07, 2:33 pm