BUILDING on Swindon's Front Garden has taken another step forward.
Work on the first part of the giant Wichelstowe development has been ongoing for several months.
And in the past few weeks yellow signs have gone up around the edge of Swindon, directing heavy goods lorries to the site.
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Now Swindon Council has announced that it has drawn up a shortlist of four firms who could be chosen to develop the remaining West Wichel and Middle Wichel parts of the site.
Which means it is now down to the four companies to dazzle the council with their proposals for the area.
Councillor Peter Greenhalgh, pictured, Swindon Council's cabinet member for planning, highways and transport, said: "We are determined to make Wichelstowe one of the most sustainable developments in the UK.
"We have set the bar high, far beyond what is required by Government legislation, and it is very encouraging that we have had such a positive response to our challenge from major developers.
"It's also important to us that high quality design and architecture are a fundamental part of the Wichelstowe project."
Whoever wins the final development job, which Swindon Council says is part of the estimated £1bn development of the Front Garden, will face a huge task.
The winning firm will work with the council and Taylor Wimpey to develop 460 acres of land.
When complete that land will include 3,500 new homes, three village centres, office space, schools and a wide range of public elements, such as doctors' surgeries and leisure facilities.
The council is also insisting the development scheme is so green it reduces emissions of greenhouse gases.
The companies in the running for the project include a consortium made up of Orion Land and Leisure, Skanska and LXB3.
This company developed the Cardiff International Sports Village, one of Wales' biggest regeneration projects.
Also in the running is St Modwen. It is working on the redevelopment of part of Wembley as well as the regeneration of 468 acres at the former MG Rover site in Longbridge.
Bloor Homes is also on the list.
It has a portfolio of properties across the UK and builds about 2,000 homes each year.
The final firm on the list is French company Vinci.
It operates in 75 countries and made its bid with the Grainger Trust, the developer behind the redevelopment of London's Victoria bus station.
James Coker of Knight Frank, which is marketing the site for Swindon Council, said: "Wichelstowe is an important scheme for Swindon both because of its sheer size and the scale of its vision. The quality of developers who expressed an interest shows just how much this scheme has captured the imagination of the construction world, as the shortlist contains names that are renowned in residential development and regeneration.
The proposed development partners have an impressive portfolio of experience in designing schemes that combine sustainability with innovation, and Swindon Council looks forward to seeing the way in which the bidders interpret the challenge put to them."
It is expected that the council will decide on a developer by the end of July - and complete the deal to do the job by November.
Posted by: i sa the truth, sn4 on 4:50pm Sat 22 Mar 08
What an idiot, do you not think they have good reason to protest? After all we are seeing increased flooding every time it rains, but it don't help by the development and building on floodplanes or as that previous egit calls it 'wasteland'.It doesn't matter how much people protest our council are always open to extra income or backhanders. If it was their homes getting flooded it would be a different story. God bless English democracy, not! and all who vote for this useless spinless council.
What an idiot, do you not think they have good reason to protest? After all we are seeing increased flooding every time it rains, but it don't help by the development and building on floodplanes or as that previous egit calls it 'wasteland'.It doesn't matter how much people protest our council are always open to extra income or backhanders. If it was their homes getting flooded it would be a different story. God bless English democracy, not! and all who vote for this useless spinless council.
Posted by: Captain Sensible, Near Swindon on 7:35am Sun 23 Mar 08
I cant wait to here the whining and pleas for financial assistance from the chavs who buy the identikit legoland houses here as soon as the first flooding incident occurs. Serves them right. Only the incessant greed of our council ( in bed with housing developers) has allowed this totally inappropriate development to go ahead, more people equals more council tax.More poorly built, flimsy, throw 'em up in 5 mins houses equals more profit for Wimpy etc.Its nice to know that our countryside is being raped to make a quick profit.
I cant wait to here the whining and pleas for financial assistance from the chavs who buy the identikit legoland houses here as soon as the first flooding incident occurs. Serves them right. Only the incessant greed of our council ( in bed with housing developers) has allowed this totally inappropriate development to go ahead, more people equals more council tax.More poorly built, flimsy, throw 'em up in 5 mins houses equals more profit for Wimpy etc.Its nice to know that our countryside is being raped to make a quick profit.
Posted by: dalekdave, Swindon on 11:02am Sun 23 Mar 08
The fact that the South West Regional Development Agency seems determined to dump all of the region's housing needs onto the already over-developed Swindon conurbation leaves little room for the Council to manouevre.
This will all flood and the town will be even more gridlocked than it is. I hope the rest of region are comfortable though
Thanks for nothing!
The fact that the South West Regional Development Agency seems determined to dump all of the region's housing needs onto the already over-developed Swindon conurbation leaves little room for the Council to manouevre.
This will all flood and the town will be even more gridlocked than it is. I hope the rest of region are comfortable though
Thanks for nothing!
Posted by: Russ STFC, swindon on 7:13pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Grumpy[/bold] wrote:
Good show - I hope it gives King and the other protesters indigestion watching the development of the waste land between Swindon and Wroughton.[/quote] Well said grumpy although i have to thank that busy body interfearing old git for saving us having a football club built there and getting flooded everytime it rains.
Grumpy wrote:
Good show - I hope it gives King and the other protesters indigestion watching the development of the waste land between Swindon and Wroughton.
Well said grumpy although i have to thank that busy body interfearing old git for saving us having a football club built there and getting flooded everytime it rains.
Posted by: Russ STFC, swindon on 7:13pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Grumpy[/bold] wrote:
Good show - I hope it gives King and the other protesters indigestion watching the development of the waste land between Swindon and Wroughton.[/quote] Well said grumpy although i have to thank that busy body interfearing old git for saving us having a football club built there and getting flooded everytime it rains.
Grumpy wrote:
Good show - I hope it gives King and the other protesters indigestion watching the development of the waste land between Swindon and Wroughton.
Well said grumpy although i have to thank that busy body interfearing old git for saving us having a football club built there and getting flooded everytime it rains.
Posted by: A GINGER, South Marston on 8:43am Mon 24 Mar 08
But good people,something else is happening ,read what is going on in the financial side,these developers exist on borrowed money,ie,the buyers have to obtain MORTGAGES,many lenders are cutting back because the money source is drying up,another point SBC,put a canal right through the centre of Wichelstowe instead of the town centre ,there will be plenty of spare water there!!
But good people,something else is happening ,read what is going on in the financial side,these developers exist on borrowed money,ie,the buyers have to obtain MORTGAGES,many lenders are cutting back because the money source is drying up,another point SBC,put a canal right through the centre of Wichelstowe instead of the town centre ,there will be plenty of spare water there!!
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