THE switch-on of Christmas lights marked the completion of 450 new homes on the old Princess Margaret Hospital site in Swindon.

And developer Bloor Homes handed over an open area – dubbed the Piazza – to Swindon Council at the new Angel Ridge development off Okus Road yesterday evening.

Swindon Mayor David Wren attended the handover, along with Swindon Brass and Commonweal School.

Coun Wren said: “Part of the development’s objective is to bring together communities within open space – The Piazza is a focal point in the development.

“I am pleased because the Piazza incorporates one of the foundation stones of the Princess Margaret Hospital.

“They are combining the past with the future. People will never forget the hospital was there, it served the town for years.”

“But things develop and move on. This is a nice way to remember what was there and for the developers to show their commitment by providing the communal area.”

Princess Margaret Hospital was first new hospital to be built in Britain after the Second World War.

The foundation stone was laid by the princess in May 1957. She returned in 1966 to declare the main part of the building open.

But it was forced to close on December 3, 2002 after the building deteriorated and it was deemed too expensive to repair.

Demolition of the hospital started on February 4, 2004 after Bloor bought the site in 2003.

Angel Ridge has a £1.3m health centre, including a doctor’s surgery and pharmacy.

The first residents moved into their new homes in February 2006. The development was named by Ernest Austin, who won a BBC Radio Swindon competition to come up with a name.

He said it was built on a ridge and all the nurses were angels.

Bloor South Western’s regional sales director Michele Rose said: “We are proud to mark the culmination of Angel Ridge with the official handover of The Piazza at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.”

Angel Ridge has a selection of three, four and five-bedroomed homes.