A long-derelict building in central Swindon is set to become a symbol of town’s regeneration.
The future of vacant Signal Point office block, which sits directly above the railway station, is under discussion as part of a planned regeneration of more than 100 acres around the station.
A working group involving Swindon Borough Council, the rail industry, Homes England, the Department for Business and Trade, UK Research and Innovation and Business West, is drawing up proposals for the site’s redevelopment including bringing Signal Point back into use.
UKREiiF
The council plans to create a district comprising new commercial, educational and residential district called Knowledge Central and will be taking its ideas to demonstrate at UKREiiF in May.
Already the authority has secured £100,000 from Homes England to support development of detailed designs for a new northern entrance to the station and a new multi‑storey car park on the existing north car park site.
A further £200,000 has also been secured to develop a comprehensive business case and proposition for the plan.
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Council leader Cllr Jim Robbins said: “I’m really pleased to see progress being made to bring Signal Point back into use.
“For far too long it has stood as a derelict eyesore at the top of our railway station, so the fact this work is now moving forward is extremely positive.
“The transformation of the station and surrounding land is an important part of our wider Heart of Swindon vision and one of our flagship town centre regeneration schemes.
“Improving the station will unlock new development and help create a gateway Swindon can be proud of.
“There’s still a lot to do, but working closely together with our partners, I’m confident we can transform this key site for the benefit of residents, businesses and future investment.”
Matt Griffith, director of policy at Business West, said: “We are hugely supportive of this flagship project to transform central Swindon into an attractive place to invest, work, and do business.
“Regeneration of Signal Point is totemic of the ambition of Swindon Knowledge Central, to regenerate Swindon’s railway quarter into a new mixed-use district for new homes, education, business, and research.
“Swindon’s Borough Council’s can-do attitude and willingness to invest in delivery is helping turn these ambitions into a reality.”
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