REDEVELOPMENT of a prominent central Swindon site is on the horizon after National Grid announced plans to clear the scene and pave the way for regeneration.

The former gas works in Gipsy Lane, opposite Wickes, has remained idle for decades but the wheels are now in motion on the next stage of its future.

In a public exhibition earlier this month, the electricity and gas utility company revealed it would begin clearing the site for redevelopment opportunities on August 3.

Katherine Wear, National Grid land regeneration manager, said: “We were really pleased to meet with many of our neighbours and hope they found the information helpful.

“Our clean-up work will give the land a new lease of life and free it up for exciting new redevelopment opportunities.

“We will continue to keep all our neighbours updated on the work’s progress once it begins.”

National Grid’s work will involve clearing the ground of materials leftover from when gas was made on the site by the New Swindon Gas Company from the 1860s.

Gas production at the site ceased after the discovery of natural gas in the North Sea around a century later.

The gas holders continued to be used for gas storage until changes in technology made them obsolete and they were subsequently removed.

Katherine said: “In its day this site helped keep Swindon supplied with gas for cooking and heating.

“Changes in technology mean the site is no longer needed for gas distribution and the site has now been disused for a number of years.”

The work is thought to be selfcontained on the Gorse Hill site and will not noticeably interfere with any neighbouring businesses or residents.

The heavy machinery required to flatten and clean the site will be out and finished by the end of the year, when it is expected the land will be put onto the market for prospective developers.

Cllr John Ballman (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) was one of those who attended the exhibition on Friday, July 17 to ask questions of the National Grid staff.

He was generally positive about what could be in store for his ward after seeing the plans and speaking with those responsible for the clearance.

“When cleaned it will be suitable for development,” he said. “My feeling is it might be best suited for an industrial development of some kind, rather than residential.

“Until the site is cleared and we know who owns what, it’s very difficult to be specific. There are two or three companies with some involvement, I believe.

“Things are beginning to move, that’s got to be good.

“The consultation was quite good. It gave everybody who lives in the area the opportunity to come and have a look.

“There will be a reasonable amount of interest when it does go on the market.”

Anyone wanting more information can contact the National Grid community relations team on 0800 073 1047. The line is open from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.