THE long search for a new Hindu temple in Swindon is over, with a new home for the community secured in the city centre.

The borough council ended the lease on the previous temple in Darby Close with immediate effect in October following a fifth break-in.

It said that due to the level of damage the facility was unfit for occupation.

Swindon Borough Council has made its former offices at Regent House, close to the Wyvern Theatre, available for the Swindon’s Hindu Temple Trust to use as a temple and cultural centre.

The council will lease the surplus building to the Trust for an initial period of seven years.

A planning application for a change use from offices to a place of worship and community centre will now be submitted and, if secured, it is hoped the Trust will be able to move into its new home by June 2022.

As well as Regent House, the Trust has negotiated the use of another venue in Wroughton from a private landlord with both properties providing the necessary accommodation and flexibility to support the Trust’s temple, cultural and community activities.

In January, Councillors supported a motion to continue to support the Trust in its search for new premises and to meet with other Hindu and South Asian faith and community groups who had expressed an interest in finding an alternative community and worship facility. Since that time, the council has been in regular discussions with the Trust to support it in finding a new home and has helped the Trust in different ways.

Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, finance andcommercialisation, said: “This is fantastic news and I’m really pleased for everyone associated with the Trust as they can now begin to look to the future.

“We have been in discussions with members of the Trust for several months to try and find them a new home so it is great to finally get to this position. As a valued and respected part of our community, I wish them every success in their new home.”

A spokesman for Swindon Hindu Temple Trust said: “The vast Hindu community in Swindon has been through a lot recently with the unfortunate loss of the only Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre in the town. During this time, Swindon Hindu Temple Trust has worked relentlessly to re-establish the Temple.

“We are delighted that we would soon have these two new premises and feel confident that combined together, they represent the best possible solution and would provide much needed flexibility to serve the religious, cultural, social and charitable needs of the community. We are grateful to the Council for all their help and their continued support.”