swindonweb®  home    make this my homepage
myswindonweb   LOGIN / REGISTER  
Date added: 17 April 2007

A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site 

It's eight storeys high, and if it all goes to plan it's set to come tumbling down.

The old Swindon College building in Regent Circus - which was the home to generations of students since the 1960s until last year when it closed - is all set to be flattened and turned into Swindon's new 'cultural quarter'.

All change:
the former Swindon College site in Regent
Circus (above) - and what it may look like in the future,
planning permission allowing

A plan part of the redevelopment programme of prime town centre sites orchestrated by The New Swindon Company.

The developers behind the college scheme being Nickolas Scott, of Parkridge Developments, and Andrew Fisher, of Ashfield Land - both of whom see the project as a way of breathing new life into an area often described as 'the link between new town and old town'.

Making plans:
Andrew Fisher (l) from Ashfield Land
and Nick Scott from Parkridge Developments

"We are delighted to have bought the site," said Mr Scott, "one that is very much a key part of Swindon."

"There's huge potential here, especially with the new library under construction and new plans for the Wyvern Theatre.

"Our plan is to create a place for people to meet and enjoy the cultural facilities on offer."

Once completed, it is hoped Regent Circus, including the surface car park to the front of the main building, will include new restaurants, bars, a cinema, and a hotel all set around a new square linking back to the town centre.

The whole area itself becoming more pedestrian friendly, with traffic for the new development being routed via Victoria Road.

A glimpse into the future:
an artist impression to how the college site will look

"What we are trying to do is create the heart that has been missing," commented Andrew Fisher, Managing Director Ashfield Land, "we don't want people to have to drive out of town to go shopping, we want to bring people back into the centre."

History preserved

One building that will not be disappearing from the Swindon skyline, however, is the oldest part of Swindon College - the historic technical college, first built in 1895.

The Technical College:
now (above) and in the future (below)
and as it was circa. 1900 (below)

Plans for this building - which contain a number of unique arte2facts chronicling Swindon's history (see below) - include altering the interior and front facade to incorporate a downstairs supermarket and upper floor office space.
 
The memorial stone in the former
main hall of Swindon Technical
College (above) and the stained glass
window commemorating
Swindon College's sacrifice in the
Great War (below)
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site - 17/04/2007
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
A look into the future plans for the Swindon College site
RELATED CONTENT
Ambitious Plans For Town Centre
Ambitious Plans For Town Centre Vision for a landmark museum and art gallery for Swindon revealed...
More13 December 2016
Adver Towers Shelved!
Adver Towers Shelved! UPDATE: Apology & plans withdrawn after public outcry over Old Town development proposal - HAVE YOUR SAY
More12 March 2016
Regenerating Swindon
Regenerating Swindon Take a walk-through the changes happening in Swindon town centre - WATCH VIDEO
More07 June 2014
The Biggest Piece of the Jigsaw
The Biggest Piece of the Jigsaw Major change on the way for Fleming Way as part of the £350 million pound regeneration of Swindon town centre - WATCH VIDEO
More06 March 2014
The Corn Exchange - Past & Future
The Corn Exchange - Past & Future A spectacular aerial look at the history & new plans for one of Swindon's most historic buildings - WATCH VIDEOS
More22 November 2013
The Big Clean Up - Part II!
The Big Clean Up - Part II! Volunteers turn out again to spuce up Old Town - and we salute you! GALLERY
More29 September 2013
The Grand Plan For Old Town
The Grand Plan For Old Town And maybe, just maybe, this time it's going to happen...
More30 July 2013
Ahh, if only....
Ahh, if only.... Jon Ratcliffe imagines what Swindon could be like if we got back our confidence - HAVE YOUR SAY...
More10 April 2013
Build It And They Will Come
Build It And They Will Come A look back at the opening of the Brunel Centre, 40 years ago this month...
More18 March 2013
Swindon's New Masterplan
Swindon's New Masterplan Forward Swindon announce new regeneration plans for Swindon town centre - SWTV
More05 September 2012
Even The Queen Was Invited
Even The Queen Was Invited A look back at Swindon's last big regeneration project - and what happened when the money ran out...
More07 August 2012
Green walls for Swindon
Green walls for Swindon One of the UK’s largest living walls starts to take shape in town centre...
More13 October 2010
Regeneration kick-start
Regeneration kick-start Former Swindon College building finally coming down as plans get approval...
More13 October 2010
New look for Regent Circus redevelopment
New look for Regent Circus redevelopment New artist's impression shows what former Swindon College site could become...
More05 May 2010
Regeneration creates jobs for local people
Regeneration creates jobs for local people Canal Walk refurbishment offers a timely boost for Swindon's economy...
More28 October 2009
Groundbreaking news for Canal Walk
Groundbreaking news for Canal Walk Redevelopment work starts in Swindon town centre...
MoreTV24 August 2009
Regeneration of Swindon
Regeneration of Swindon The town centre is a'changing...
MoreTV
RELATED BUSINESSES
  Swindon College  
myswindonweb
Janet's Puppy School
Chelworth Windows and Conservatories, Swindon, Wiltshire
Toomers