You are here: Westlea home > News index > News from Westlea
Go-ahead for new homes at Union Square
GreenSquare is to provide 45 assisted living apartments for older people in Swindon town centre as part of the first phase of the regeneration of Union Square. Work is expected to start in late spring 2012 following the approval of plans to progress the scheme.
Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee has approved a joint planning application by Muse Developments and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for one residential building comprising 45 assisted living apartments and a high quality 850 space multi-storey car park. GreenSquare is funding the residential element of this phase of the scheme with private finance and grant from the HCA and Swindon Borough Council (SBC) and will own the new homes which will be managed by SBC initially for five years. The car park will be managed by Swindon Borough Council when complete.
GreenSquare Development Director Vic O’Brien said: “We're delighted to be working with our partners to deliver much-needed affordable and high quality accommodation for older people in Union Square near a wide range of facilities in the town centre. These homes are some of those resulting from our recent contract agreement with the HCA and part of our substantial programme of new homes development in place for the four years ahead."
Peter Jones, HCA head of area, added: “This is a great result for the project and the regeneration of Swindon town centre. Now that planning permission has been achieved, the more visible work which will bring tangible benefits in the form of employment and investment in the town centre can start. Coming at a challenging time for the economy, I am sure this news will be welcomed by people in Swindon.”
Cllr Garry Perkins, deputy leader of Swindon Borough Council: “This is further proof that the regeneration of Swindon town centre is moving ahead, and it’s even more impressive and positive when the general economic background is considered. For us to have such a major development taking shape in the town at the moment is a real statement about Swindon’s future potential, and it’s great that it is now ready to start."
Doug Finlay, development director at Muse Developments, said: “This approval is a significant milestone for the project and will ensure a start on site in the late spring. The total build cost for this first phase is around £25 million, which will bring much needed investment into the town.”
[published online 3/2/12]
