A STROLL around Pinehurst tells the tale of an historic council estate in the process of a multi-million pound regeneration.

Work on the estate started before the Second World War to provide accommodation for the town’s railway workers and labourers.

The layout of the homes and facilities, formed around a central green known as The Circle, was considered a pioneering model for the 20th century.

Now Pinehurst is undergoing a wide-ranging redevelopment which residents and councillors hope will provide better services for the vibrant community and rid the estate of its negative reputation.

Coun John Ballman (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) said: “The future is looking bright for Pinehurst, certainly in terms of the facilities that are available.

“The overall regeneration will have a positive effect on the area and it will be great to see when the new community centre opens and local people of all ages become engaged with the activities at the centre.”

Pinehurst has hundreds of homes – mostly council houses – as well as several small businesses, a new school, a Sure Start children’s centre, a library and a Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB).

The largest recent development was £34m Swindon Academy, in Beech Avenue, which was officially opened in July last year.

The facility, run by the United Learning Trust, was built to replace Pinehurst Infants, Pinehurst Junior and Headlands Schools.

Pinehurst Sure Start also recently moved from a temporary centre, in Linden Avenue, to a purpose-built building beside the academy, meaning the site now caters for children aged from 0 to 19-years-old.

Nearby at The Circle, work has just started on a £2.2m community centre, which will replace the demolished Pinehurst People’s Centre.

The two-storey Pine Trees Community Centre will feature a library, two NHS dental suites, an internet cafe and a CAB.

It will also have a sports hall similar in size to a badminton court, three meeting rooms, a management suite, a kitchen and a community garden.

Another part of The Circle which will see significant changes is the shopping parade which is set to be redeveloped under £1.6m plans by the council.

In a bid to regenerate the area, the parade, built in 1932, will be demolished and replaced with a larger convenience store, two further shops and up to seven flats. Among those looking forward to the move are staff at Simply Red unisex hair salon, previously known as Jilly’s hairdresser, which originally set up in a unit about 24 years ago.

Heidi Westlake, who has been a stylist there since it opened, said: “It is quite exciting to think that we will get some new shops. It will help because we will have a bigger premises so we will be able to take on more clientele.

“It will look nicer and hopefully it will give Pinehurst a better name.”

Swindon Council recently refurbished homes in the Tree Courts area – also known as Pinehurst West – and is improving roofs across the estate.

Shirley Bowd, 61, who has lived in Acacia Grove for four years, hopes the investment will improve Pinehurst.

She said: “I personally haven’t had any trouble but I think there could be more done to take the kids off the street.

“I’m not putting kids down at all because I’ve got a lot of grand-kids, but I think there should be more for the kids to do.”

Dick Denyer, who has lived in Olive Grove for seven years, said: “People in Pinehurst are very community-minded. They stick together and help one-another.

“I think now, with the community centre that’s going up and with the new academy, Pinehurst has a terrific lot going for it.”