BUILDING a hotel on the outskirts of Swindon will not scupper the regeneration plans for the town centre, say councillors.
Members of Swindon Council's planning committee gave the green light to a scheme for a 102-bedroom hotel and Harvester restaurant on land close to the Turnpike roundabout.
The New Swindon Company, the body charged with overseeing the £1bn regeneration of the town centre, raised fears that creating a hotel on the edge of Swindon might damage the viability of another scheme in the town centre.
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When councillors first considered the application last year they deferred making a final decision until the developer had looked at the threat to the town centre.
But at a meeting of Swindon Council's planning committee councillors waved the scheme through.
David Hutchison, agent for developer Mitchells and Butlers, said: "Two assessments of hotel provision in Swindon showed this scheme is needed.
"All the other sites in the town centre are at best two or three years away from being developed for various reasons so they can't be regarded as being available within a reasonable timescale.
"I am sure that in time these sites will come forward.
But this scheme will not compete with the town centre.
"It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say we're the good guys'.
"But, as your officers say, there is nothing to say this scheme will undermine the town centre regeneration."
Coun Maurice fanning (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) said: "The last time we collectively had genuine fears about the way the scheme would impinge on the town centre.
"I think the developers have taken note of that and have stated that the fears of the New Swindon Company weren't founded in truth and that in fact this development will act as a catalyst for further town centre regeneration."
Coun Dale Heenan (Covingham and Nythe) said: "This is operating to a different market to the town centre and should in no way compromise what's happening there.
"It's a different kind of application for a different part of town."
Posted by: LordBelacqua, Swindon on 6:30pm Wed 9 Jan 08
NB to sub-editor:
It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say we're the good guys'.
[italic]- The Article[/italic]
I believe that should be "bad guys".
Just a quick heads-up.
NB to sub-editor:
It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say we're the good guys'.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 6:49pm Wed 9 Jan 08
LordB, I think it's the punctuation, the context is probably right.
"It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say, 'we're the good guys'." As for the project when this was flagged up last year I commented that the building at Turnpike was not a problem, given that people will need somewhere to stay when developing the town centre, whenever that should happen.
LordB, I think it's the punctuation, the context is probably right.
"It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say, 'we're the good guys'." As for the project when this was flagged up last year I commented that the building at Turnpike was not a problem, given that people will need somewhere to stay when developing the town centre, whenever that should happen.
Posted by: LordBelacqua, Swindon on 6:55pm Wed 9 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Robert Feal-Martinez[/bold] wrote:
LordB, I think it's the punctuation, the context is probably right. "It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say, 'we're the good guys'." As for the project when this was flagged up last year I commented that the building at Turnpike was not a problem, given that people will need somewhere to stay when developing the town centre, whenever that should happen.[/quote] Very true, it could be that too.
I think the general concensus was in line with you view, RFM, for once our councillors appeared to see it that way too!
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
LordB, I think it's the punctuation, the context is probably right. "It is easy for the new Swindon Company to object and say, 'we're the good guys'." As for the project when this was flagged up last year I commented that the building at Turnpike was not a problem, given that people will need somewhere to stay when developing the town centre, whenever that should happen.
Very true, it could be that too.
I think the general concensus was in line with you view, RFM, for once our councillors appeared to see it that way too!
Posted by: john c, swindon on 10:38pm Wed 9 Jan 08
As I understood it these facilities are to be built on the land next to the new David Lloyd centre.
Does anyone know when building work is due to start / finish? How will this fit in with the road improvements on the A419.
As I understood it these facilities are to be built on the land next to the new David Lloyd centre.
Does anyone know when building work is due to start / finish? How will this fit in with the road improvements on the A419.
Posted by: HER_IN_DOORS, Swindon on 1:11am Thu 10 Jan 08
Oh great a hotel on a junction already over-run with traffic. but then again why not - it will give somewhere for people to stay when they arrive in Swindon from the west only to be unable to get into town because of the canal in Westcott Place/Faringdon Road!!!
Oh great a hotel on a junction already over-run with traffic. but then again why not - it will give somewhere for people to stay when they arrive in Swindon from the west only to be unable to get into town because of the canal in Westcott Place/Faringdon Road!!!
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 7:52am Thu 10 Jan 08
[quote]Oh great a hotel on a junction already over-run with traffic.[/quote]
By the time the hotel is built the Blunsdon bye-pass will be finished and hopefully the traffic will be flowing freely. I can't see any problems in access either as the entrance is likely to be the same as the tennis centre.
Oh great a hotel on a junction already over-run with traffic.
By the time the hotel is built the Blunsdon bye-pass will be finished and hopefully the traffic will be flowing freely. I can't see any problems in access either as the entrance is likely to be the same as the tennis centre.
Just one question:
why are the Council continuing to fund the services of the New Swindon Company and entrust them to oversee the spending of £1bn worth of our money when they can't even make a decision based on reality about the location of one 102-room hotel?
I would dearly love to know just how much of the £1bn earmarked for Swindon's regeneration will actually be squandered on funding the New Swindon Company.
Just one question:
why are the Council continuing to fund the services of the New Swindon Company and entrust them to oversee the spending of £1bn worth of our money when they can't even make a decision based on reality about the location of one 102-room hotel?
I would dearly love to know just how much of the £1bn earmarked for Swindon's regeneration will actually be squandered on funding the New Swindon Company.
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 12:05pm Thu 10 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Big Mac[/bold] wrote:
Just one question:
why are the Council continuing to fund the services of the New Swindon Company and entrust them to oversee the spending of £1bn worth of our money when they can't even make a decision based on reality about the location of one 102-room hotel?
I would dearly love to know just how much of the £1bn earmarked for Swindon's regeneration will actually be squandered on funding the New Swindon Company.[/quote] Because the council is comprised of talentless amateurs who basically haven't got a clue about running what is, in effect, a very large business.
I've no doubt that a large proportion of any money earmarked for re-development will go on managers, consultants, market researchers etc, in much the same way as vast amounts were wasted on the likes of the Millenium Dome in the past and are now being squandered on the 2012 Olympics. What's makes it worse is that it's so close to home and it's your money and my money and even Donkey's money that's being spent.
Big Mac wrote:
Just one question:
why are the Council continuing to fund the services of the New Swindon Company and entrust them to oversee the spending of £1bn worth of our money when they can't even make a decision based on reality about the location of one 102-room hotel?
I would dearly love to know just how much of the £1bn earmarked for Swindon's regeneration will actually be squandered on funding the New Swindon Company.
Because the council is comprised of talentless amateurs who basically haven't got a clue about running what is, in effect, a very large business.
I've no doubt that a large proportion of any money earmarked for re-development will go on managers, consultants, market researchers etc, in much the same way as vast amounts were wasted on the likes of the Millenium Dome in the past and are now being squandered on the 2012 Olympics. What's makes it worse is that it's so close to home and it's your money and my money and even Donkey's money that's being spent.
I tend to agree Grumpy.
I have never quite understood why the Council are using our money to pay a company to do a job that they are already being paid to do.
I notice they're currently advertising the post of "Director of Corporate Services" at c.£50,000 + benefits per year.
There are at least five other 'team members' that must be on that level of pay (or more). I'm guessing the wage bill alone is close to £350,000 per annum, which already equates to close on £2 million just on wages since the company was formed.
Their own website says the following:
"Our role can be summarised as follows;
Ensure there is a cohesive Regeneration Framework
Champion projects for the centre - with high quality
Urban design and architecture
Secure funding and investment
Consult and communicate"
Hmmm.
They company has been in existence since 2002. That's five years ago.
Can anyone name ONE single thing that has been regenerated in Swindon town centre in the last five years? The only semi-major project I can think of is the new library, and that's not even half finished.
They do seem very good at co-ordinating others to pull buildings down and erect white fences though.
I tend to agree Grumpy.
I have never quite understood why the Council are using our money to pay a company to do a job that they are already being paid to do.
I notice they're currently advertising the post of "Director of Corporate Services" at c.£50,000 + benefits per year.
There are at least five other 'team members' that must be on that level of pay (or more). I'm guessing the wage bill alone is close to £350,000 per annum, which already equates to close on £2 million just on wages since the company was formed.
Their own website says the following:
"Our role can be summarised as follows;
Ensure there is a cohesive Regeneration Framework
Champion projects for the centre - with high quality
Urban design and architecture
Secure funding and investment
Consult and communicate"
Hmmm.
They company has been in existence since 2002. That's five years ago.
Can anyone name ONE single thing that has been regenerated in Swindon town centre in the last five years? The only semi-major project I can think of is the new library, and that's not even half finished.
They do seem very good at co-ordinating others to pull buildings down and erect white fences though.
The New Swindon Company are primarily funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and central government, not the Council.
However it is very worrying if, having been given the remit to coordinate the regeneration of the town centre, they are over-ruled on such decisions.
It is rubbish to say that the town centre hotel sites are not ready to be developed for another 2-3 years.
The former Ford garage is ready to go and a planning app has been submitted (but all has gone quiet).
The Regent Circus site is now ready to go too, with a hotel part of the plans.
The former police station site is clear and is intended to be part of Phase 1 of the Exchange - again due to start this year.
It's difficult to see how this new hotel will encourage new operators into the town centre, when the fundamental economics are based on number of rooms in the town and and pricing levels.
If we want to attract higher quality hotels to the town centre then cheaper hotels on the outskirts, in a shaky economic climate, will probably reduce the appeal of taking the risk in the town centre.
It will be interesting to see if any of the town centre plans get pulled as a result of new developments such as this.
Another example of Swindon Council shooting itself in the foot I'd say.
The New Swindon Company are primarily funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and central government, not the Council.
However it is very worrying if, having been given the remit to coordinate the regeneration of the town centre, they are over-ruled on such decisions.
It is rubbish to say that the town centre hotel sites are not ready to be developed for another 2-3 years.
The former Ford garage is ready to go and a planning app has been submitted (but all has gone quiet).
The Regent Circus site is now ready to go too, with a hotel part of the plans.
The former police station site is clear and is intended to be part of Phase 1 of the Exchange - again due to start this year.
It's difficult to see how this new hotel will encourage new operators into the town centre, when the fundamental economics are based on number of rooms in the town and and pricing levels.
If we want to attract higher quality hotels to the town centre then cheaper hotels on the outskirts, in a shaky economic climate, will probably reduce the appeal of taking the risk in the town centre.
It will be interesting to see if any of the town centre plans get pulled as a result of new developments such as this.
Another example of Swindon Council shooting itself in the foot I'd say.
[quote][bold]Swindon AOK wrote:[/bold] The New Swindon Company are primarily funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and central government, not the Council.
[/quote]
Thanks for clarifying, but it's all semantics really - it's ALL our money, whichever agency, quango or council it comes from.
Why this all-pervasive obsession with hotels though?
Seriously, are the Council and New Swindon Company [italic]really[/italic] so unimaginative as to insist on hotels occupying all the main regeneration sites?
Building hotel after hotel in the town centre will not regenerate Swindon, it'll simply make it a dormitory town.
Swindon town centre, if it is to have any hope of competing with very nearby Bath, Bristol, Reading, Oxford etc. must start attracting higher quality retailers, some unique retailers and some high quality restaurants (not more budget Italian and Indian restaurants - the ones we have are generally excellent but we don't need any more).
Still, I have a feeling the town centre will never truly recover from the disastrous council policy that allowed chain pub after chain pub to dominate Fleet Street/Bridge Street.
Swindon AOK wrote: The New Swindon Company are primarily funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and central government, not the Council.
Thanks for clarifying, but it's all semantics really - it's ALL our money, whichever agency, quango or council it comes from.
Why this all-pervasive obsession with hotels though?
Seriously, are the Council and New Swindon Company really so unimaginative as to insist on hotels occupying all the main regeneration sites?
Building hotel after hotel in the town centre will not regenerate Swindon, it'll simply make it a dormitory town.
Swindon town centre, if it is to have any hope of competing with very nearby Bath, Bristol, Reading, Oxford etc. must start attracting higher quality retailers, some unique retailers and some high quality restaurants (not more budget Italian and Indian restaurants - the ones we have are generally excellent but we don't need any more).
Still, I have a feeling the town centre will never truly recover from the disastrous council policy that allowed chain pub after chain pub to dominate Fleet Street/Bridge Street.
The New Swindon Company can only set the framework for development and advise the COuncil planning department. They can only dictate what form development takes on sites which they own (e.g. the Exchange).
Ultimately development is driven by the market. If a site comes up, developers look at what works economically and submit planning applications.
It's a catch 22 - no one wants to take the risk of building something ambitious in Swindon because there is no track record of success and the built environment is so unattractive. Business people have no choice - if their meeting is in Swindon they need somewhere to stay, and there are a lot of big companies in Swindon!
At least the Swindon college site and the Regent Place site on the commercial road car park will provide a new cinema, restaurants, and shops. This is our best chance of kick-starting the regeneration.
I do agree that the NSC has been very slow at getting things moving though. Their wage bill will be much more than 350k as the Chief Exec is on at least 100k himself.
It's embarrasing for them that the Council Planning Committee have ignored their guidance.
We do need hotels in Swindon centre - not Travelodge's and Holiday Inn Expresses but Crowne Plazas and Hiltons etc.
Cheaper alternatives being built on the edge of town will not help attract these companies into town - it dilutes the trade!
The New Swindon Company can only set the framework for development and advise the COuncil planning department. They can only dictate what form development takes on sites which they own (e.g. the Exchange).
Ultimately development is driven by the market. If a site comes up, developers look at what works economically and submit planning applications.
It's a catch 22 - no one wants to take the risk of building something ambitious in Swindon because there is no track record of success and the built environment is so unattractive. Business people have no choice - if their meeting is in Swindon they need somewhere to stay, and there are a lot of big companies in Swindon!
At least the Swindon college site and the Regent Place site on the commercial road car park will provide a new cinema, restaurants, and shops. This is our best chance of kick-starting the regeneration.
I do agree that the NSC has been very slow at getting things moving though. Their wage bill will be much more than 350k as the Chief Exec is on at least 100k himself.
It's embarrasing for them that the Council Planning Committee have ignored their guidance.
We do need hotels in Swindon centre - not Travelodge's and Holiday Inn Expresses but Crowne Plazas and Hiltons etc.
Cheaper alternatives being built on the edge of town will not help attract these companies into town - it dilutes the trade!
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