THE empty site once occupied by a park-and-ride could be revamped into an eco-friendly space.

The Groundwell land off Cricklade Road is being sold to a new owner who has big plans for the area.

Swindon Borough Council will be able complete the sale of the site to the mysterious buyer if the interested party successfully secures planning permission for the proposed development.

The buyer has asked to remain anonymous for now but the council could reveal that a planning application will likely be submitted for the construction of an electric vehicle storage and charging hub along with ancillary logistics.

The local authority expects a formal planning application to be submitted within the next four months. The buyer will then have up to two years from the completion of the conditional contract to secure this planning permission and complete the sale.

Alongside this conditional contract, the council has negotiated and completed a two-year lease of the site to the same buyer, who will be using the site in the meantime while the plans are submitted and discussed.

Coun Keith Williams is the cabinet member for climate change, finance and commercialisation. He said: “The Groundwell Park and Ride site has been lying empty for a number of years so I am really pleased we have found a buyer and the land will be brought back into use.

“We can’t say too much more at this stage about its future use, but the planning application when submitted will provide details of this. As cabinet member for climate change, I’m obviously delighted the new development supports the council’s green agenda.”

The site was originally offered for sale in March after being left empty since 2009. The council closed the park-and-ride facility because not enough people used it.

The council provided an adopted planning development brief which suggested ways the site could be given a new lease of life.

These options for alternative use included a residential space consisting of around 85 to 90 houses, a residential development and a care home, a commercial development which includes a proposed food store, self-storage, gym, trade counter, coffee drive-thru and day nursery, or an extension to the Groundwell Industrial Estate to the north

Potential buyers submitted bids to the marketing agents, who then considered the various bids and proposals after the May deadline passed.