RECENTLY we received good news about two major regeneration schemes in the Borough.

Last week I wrote about the proposals Cabinet has just considered to set up a £40m joint venture to complete the development of Wichelstowe. Now, the Council has received the outline planning application from Moirai for the £120m new leisure complex at the Oasis.
We saved the public purse millions of pounds when we transferred the Oasis to Moirai, and they have honoured all their commitments. Moirai has refurbished the gym and swimming pool and paid off debts.

This means Swindon is already benefiting from an improved local leisure centre and the planning application means we have taken another key step towards a regional leisure attraction.
Just over a year ago, there were concerns about the way Moirai was handling the scheme. Some people were even calling for the Council to start all over again. However, my colleagues and I adopted a different approach. We knew that cancelling the contract would mean delays in regenerating the site, more costs, and serious damage to the Borough’s reputation.


Instead of saying no, we chose to work with the developer. We subjected their representatives to intensive scrutiny and agreed clear milestones that they had to meet. Councillor Garry Perkins as the lead Cabinet Member has worked extensively on this project.
The Council used Forward Swindon to manage the project and check that the submissions were up to scratch. This does not mean the Council’s work on this project in over, but the progress so far is a testament to our resilience and vision.


We are also making progress on the redevelopment of the town centre. Already, the new Regent Circus complex is adding vitality and colour to that part of the town centre, complementing the central library and the Old Town Hall.


While we all want to see new buildings, a key part of Swindon’s continued improvement is the demolition of obsolete structures whose appearance no longer adds anything to the town. We have already knocked down the post office sorting centre on Fleming Way and replaced it with a park. We have removed Aspen House, the former register office. We replaced offices in Dorcan that were empty for more than a decade with a supermarket and other shops.


Next on our list are the old car parks over the bus station and at the Wyvern. We have already provided modern, improved facilities such as the Whalebridge car park, so the demolition of these 1960s structures can now go ahead.