8:46am Friday 4th July 2008
By Matthew Pardo
COMPANIES behind two key town centre developments have objected to a plan to flatten Swindon's market and rebuild on the site.
London firm Clarebrook wants to demolish the Market Hall in Commercial Road and build a pavilion, complete with restaurant, cafes and a coffee shop.
But its grand plan for the site, which closed as a market last autumn, has run up against opposition.
Parkridge Developments, which is behind the scheme at Regent Circus, and Modus, which is developing the area around Granville Street, have both objected.
They say if given the nod the area would have too many eateries, would lose valuable retail space and that it would undermine their projects on nearby sites.
Despite that, council officers are recommending the scheme be approved by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday.
Planning officer Rachael Adams wrote in a report on the scheme: "It responds well to the immediate Wharf Green area and will be a positive catalyst for future regeneration projects.
"The application provides a positive contribution to the regeneration of the town centre and therefore it is recommended that permission be granted."
It is not the first time councillors have been asked to consider the redevelopment of the site.
In January the planning committee deferred making a decision on the plan, so it could first clarify if it meant the town would lose its market.
In February the scheme was thrown out by the committee which said if it was approved it would detract from other regeneration schemes in the area and also because the design was not of a high enough standard.
It was back before the committee in April when the councillors deferred their decision so the firm behind the scheme could improve the building's design.
After considering the new plan the officer said the proposal being put to the council would improve the area's offering and not lead to an over-concentration of one kind of business.
She also said it would complement Wharf Green and turn it into a vibrant evening destination and she said the new proposals were for a pavilion with contemporary architecture.
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