Planners give green light to £700m redevelopment of Honda site

By Barrie Hudson barrie@positive-media.co.uk

Swindon Borough Council says planning approval for changes at the former Honda base could spell a new future for the South Marston site.

Members of the council’s planning committee have approved Panattoni’s proposals to invest £700m into the location.

According to the firm, this will create thousands of new jobs.

The commercial planning application was the largest ever submitted to the council.

A council spokesperson said: “Now planning permission has been granted, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement, Panattoni will be able to demolish Honda’s former factory to make way for 670,000 square metres of employment space, which will be created over the next few years.”

The plan involves erecting 10 buildings which might be used for purposes ranging from storage to industry.

Prior to the planning meeting council leader David Renard came out firmly in favour of the bid, saying: “This is the culmination of many hours of meetings between Panattoni, our planners and ourselves and thank all those involved for their determination and perseverance.”

Cllr Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning said: “This is a huge, complex and significant application which has taken time to bring forward with 105 conditions attached to the recommendation for approval.

“As part of the development, we are determined to ensure that climate change and quality of life issues such as flood risk, protecting and enhancing the natural environment and noise mitigation are integral to it.”

The Honda plant closed in July of 2021, having been a major part of Swindon’s industrial landscape for 36 years.

The closure saw 3,000 people lose their jobs, with a small number being kept on temporarily to handle the decommissioning of the site. Thought to be the result of a decision by Honda to consolidate production in Japan, the closure drew protests across Swindon.

New breakfast club in Stratton

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council is running a free weekly community breakfast club for parents and children.

Stratton Breakfast Club runs at Stratton Community Centre, Addison Crescent, SN2 7JX every Monday from 7am to 8.30am.

It is hosted by the parish council and Stratton Youth Club, offering cereals, toast, sweet treats, fruit and drinks. Details are available on the council’s Facebook page.

Invitation to share Lydiard memories

The Friends of Lydiard Park are calling for the people of Swindon to contribute their images and stories to a project called Swindon’s 80 years at Lydiard Park. People are invited to send in their stories and photographs to info@ friendsoflydiardpark. org.uk, and the Lydiard Archives can be browsed at www.thelydiardarchives. org.uk

Hydrotherapy pool helped by Amazon

The team from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Swindon have made a £4,000 donation to Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool.

The pool provides hydrotherapy to relieve pain and help with rehabilitation from many conditions.

The donation from Amazon in Swindon will go towards purchasing a new pool cleaner and repairing the chair hoist system which is vital in ensuring the comfort of clients.