THE goal of delivering an outstanding ski centre and leisure destination on the North Star site looks more achievable than ever. 

After years of delays and false starts amid a troubled partnership with development partner Moirai, the ambitious project appears to have turned a corner. 

On Thursday, Swindon Borough Council announced that a new deal, worth £270m, had been finalised with experienced developers Seven Capital. 

The firm, responsible for successful multi-million pound projects in the UK, the Middle East and Australia, have bought out Moirai and taken their place as the sole partner.

Planning permission is anticipated by early next year with work to begin shortly after. The scheme is expected to launch by 2021.

Many in Swindon will recognise the description of what is being promised with a ski centre, IMAX cinema, bowling alley, hotel, bars and restaurants all still on the agenda. 

Operators are said to be lined up ready to deliver on each of the aspects of the scheme, with detail emerging that has never previously been available. 

We also now know that the ski centre will rival those in Milton Keynes and Castleford with two slopes and real snow cannons. 

John Watkins, Director at Seven Capital, has promised to write a new, more successful, chapter in the North Star story. 

“This is a long-awaited development for the people of Swindon, and a very exciting project for Seven Capital," said John.

“Not only will it bring a host of new leisure activities and brands for residents to enjoy, it will also help to attract many more visitors to the area. 

“In recent years, Swindon has become increasingly popular with London commuters, the arrival of a multi-million-pound leisure scheme will only serve to build on this and cement the town’s position as a real hotspot.”

John believes that Swindon is the ideal location for a project of this sort - he recounted how the leading operator set to deliver the ski centre said if he could put a pin anywhere for the next big indoor slope, Swindon would be his top choice. 

He added: “At Seven Capital we have a strong track record of delivering large-scale complex regeneration projects and are looking forward to applying our expertise to bring Swindon’s North Star to life.”

The deal also sees Seven Capital take control of the Oasis and bosses have wasted no time in deploying engineers to plan immediate repair work on the car park, the adjacent skate park.

For Swindon Borough Council, the deal marks a welcome departure from the catalogue of delayed projects that have led to widespread pessimism around regeneration in the town. 

Garry Perkins, cabinet member for regeneration, acknowledged that he was “relieved” to be moving forward with an established firm after narrowly avoiding the project’s complete collapse in the hands of Moirai last year. 

“This is a landmark development for Swindon and a real statement of our economic ambitions for the town," he said.

"The regeneration of North Star is one of the council’s key pledges and I am delighted we have teamed up with one of the country’s leading property investment companies in Seven Capital to deliver what will ultimately be the UK’s largest leisure destination, when one includes the Oasis Leisure Centre.

“More than a quarter of a billion pounds will be invested in the site, giving a huge boost to our economy, not to mention the hundreds of jobs the scheme will bring, as well as greatly enhanced leisure opportunities that will continue to make Swindon a great place to live and work.

“I look forward to seeing the plans being submitted before the end of the year so we can push forward on one of the most exciting projects the town has ever seen.”

Swindon Borough Council is providing the land to Seven Capital via leases and will receive an income from those leases.

For more information on Seven Capital visit www.sevencapital.com