Regeneration kick-start 

Former Swindon College building finally coming down as plans get approval

 

The building many see as the sad and frustrating symbol of Swindon's stalled regeneration project is finally coming down.

 

Eyesore: empty since July 2006

The vandalised, former Swindon College building in Regent Circus will be demolished - possibly as early as December - to make way for a new cinema, supermarket and restaurant complex.

 

Planning permission for the redevelopment was finally granted by Swindon Borough Council last night despite concerns over the quality of the scheme and objections raised by local residents in Prospect Hill worried about anti-social behaviour.

 

History preserved

 

The historic technical college building in Victoria Road, first built in 1895, will be preserved and turned into office space.

 

 

"We expect all the paperwork and inspections relating to the demolition to be finalised in the next month," commented Andrew Fisher of Ashfield Land who is developing the 5-acre site.

 

Swindon College in the town centre closed on 07 July 2006 and moved to a purpose-built campus in North Star.