An outline planning application for Swindon town centre's massive Union Square development has been submitted to the borough council.
The multi-million pound, mixed-use scheme on 17 acres either side of Fleming Way will include 450 homes, 600,000 sq ft of high-quality offices, a new Primary Care Trust headquarters, a 100-bed hotel, 145,000 sq ft of retail, café and restaurant space and improved transport infrastructure, including a new bus station and car park.
Economic regeneration chiefs have described it as creating a new and much-needed commercial heart for the town.
Alongside the masterplan will be a series of detailed planning applications, starting with Phase One on the former police station site. This application, for two residential buildings and a multi-storey car park, will be submitted by developers Muse to the council in the next few weeks.
Doug Finlay of Muse Developments said: “Extensive and collaborative thought has gone into creating an imaginative and vibrant vision for this new gateway to the town centre.
“It is sited in an ideal location providing a genuine extension to the town centre and connecting the railway station, new bus station and the main shopping area.”
The masterplan has been supported by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), landowners of the Union Square site.
Ian Piper, chief executive of Forward Swindon, the economic development body co-ordinating the role of the council, SWRDA and the HCA in the scheme, said: “This is the next important step in the ongoing regeneration of Swindon. Union Square promises to give the town centre an active central business district, something it has lacked for a long time.
"The infrastructure and the quality of the architecture in this development will make Union Square the destination of choice in Swindon.”
HCA area manager Clare Hennessey added: “Union Square aims to bring huge benefits to Swindon in terms of the quality of housing, shops and offices it delivers, as well as new jobs and improved transport services.
"The masterplan has been shaped by extensive consultation with key partners and local residents, which has resulted in strong support for the exciting proposal that has been put forward. We will continue to work with the partners to support the delivery of the Union Square project.”
Preparations for the development are already underway with improvements being made at Whale Bridge roundabout.
For more on Union Square, read this month's Swindon Business News. To order a copy contact info@swindon-business.net or phone 01793 615393.
