Forward Swindon is inviting contractors to tender for the project to redevelop 1-3 Faringdon Road, after plans to convert the buildings were given the green light.
Forward Swindon plans to convert the buildings into eight new apartments and retail space suitable for small businesses.
In conjunction with this development there are plans to improve the public area and neighbouring shop fronts. Initial qualification submissions are required by Wednesday, 24 May and tender information can be found at the South West Procurement Portal www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
1-3 Faringdon Road has been targeted by Forward Swindon because of its prominent location on a key route through the town centre adjacent to the railway village. Paul Chamberlain, Director of New Development Partnerships at Forward Swindon, explained: “This is a small but catalytic project that will kick-start wider regeneration, in conjunction with the other developments we’ve set out in our Town Centre Delivery Plan.”
Forward Swindon published its Town Centre Delivery Plan last month. The Plan describes a “vicious cycle” of low values and poor investor perceptions holding back the town’s regeneration. Forward Swindon hopes to reverse this through a series of strategic development projects at various locations across the town centre.
Forward Swindon also recently announced its plans for the Carriage Works and is holding an Open Door event for Swindon’s “Switch On to Swindon” Ambassadors this Wednesday (24 May), following a similar event with local businesses earlier this month. Paul Chamberlain added: “We were delighted by the positive reaction to our plans and are now dealing with a number of queries from businesses wanting to rent new office space when the first phase of development is completed later this year.”
Forward Swindon’s redevelopment of the Carriage Works remains on track thanks to a lease agreement with Network Rail that will allow phase 1 works to start whilst negotiations are concluded for the transfer of the whole Carriage Works site to Council ownership.
Forward Swindon is due to start the procurement process to secure an operator for the first phase of development by the end of this month. Initial “strip out” and site preparations have started and the main contractor will be on site within weeks.
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article