Failure to Keep College Site Educational Angers Swindons Civic Trust

Tue, 11 May 2010

Swindon’s Civic Trust has hit out at redevelopment plans for the former Swindon College site, claiming the space would be better used as a university site. There are plans for a new Regent Circus development to be built at the site, with a multi-screen cinema, eight restaurants, 400 parking spaces and a Morrisons’ supermarket to be built at a cost of £100 million. A planning application is set to be submitted in June by developers Ashfield Land and Parkridge, though the Civic Trust looks set to oppose the plans, insisting that students should form a vital part of the town’s economy and infrastructure.

Swindon Civic Trust believe the creation of a centrally located university would hugely benefit the town, and may also help to inspire local school pupils to stay on into further education. Though the developers insist the Regent Circus development will play a crucial part in the town’s regeneration, the Civic Trust want a more visible student life to help regenerate the town centre.

Ashfield Land acquired the five acre site four years ago, initially outlining plans for a retail and leisure development before abandoning the proposals due to the recession.
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