Administration (Not Bats) Caused Regent Circus Delay

As the reasons for trying to persuade a developer to invest in a site can be in a constant state of flux, so can the accompanying political spin of the reasons for regeneration not happening.

Seems the pendulum of reason for the Regent Circus development have swung so far one way, they've now swung towards the other.

Readers may remember that the reason behind the delay was bats. But this article from October (Swindon Centric is playing catchup with stories, you may have noticed!) gives the impression the liquidation of one of the two companies involved contributed to the delay. However, in a council meeting the member responsible for regeneration, Councillor Gary Perkins, denied that the financial problems would delay the project.

Plus Mr. Perkins talked widely about the bats now colonising the building and how that was delaying the redevelopment. However, the developer has said this will have little impact.

Swindon Centric Says ; So exactly what were/have we been told and what was/is correct?

Bats (& Administration) In The Development Belfry

As we recently learnt, the long-delayed Regent Circus development is now being held up due to bats roosting in the former Technical College building on the site next to Victoria Road.

But could something far more business-like be a factor in the delay?

Like one of the two developers going into administration?

The Regent Circus scheme is being carried out by Ashfield Land and Parkridge Developments, but the latter is currently in administration which begs the question, why when Deputy Council Leader (and Cabinet Member for Regeneration) Garry Perkins waxed lyrical about bats, did he not mention that one of the two developers was in administration?

Swindon Centric Says ; Why has this fact never been announced by Garry Perkins, or Swindon Borough Council? Even if the administration of Parkridge Developments has no effect on the project, why has no-one in our Council talked about it?

Rotten Borough Regeneration?

UPDATE AND CORRECTION :

The issue of Parkridge Developments going into administration was raised by Councillor Bawden, who directed his question to Councillor Perkins of whether it would have an effect on the Regent Circus scheme and was told by Councillor Perkins it would make little difference.

Sorry for the mistake and thank you to Councillor Steve Wakefield for the correction.

So, it is just the bats we have to deal with. Maybe we can get them like this :

Bats (& Democracy) In The Belfry Blamed For College Demolition Delay

The view down Rolleston Street towards the proposed Regent Circus development.

The saga of pulling down the former Swindon College building in Regent Circus has moved onto bats, democracy and a dateless phase.

The last few years have been filled with promises of demolition dates, all of which have been missed.

Now Council Leader Rod Bluh has dispensed with a demolition date (very wise), but has rambled on to blame the inaction on bats living in the older part of the building on Victoria Road and also local residents. Blaming them for giving feedback to the plan for the area, which required amendment and, according to his comments, added to the delay.

Swindon Centric Says ; Blame the wi-fi failure on Swindon residents, blame a regeneration stalling on Swindon residents, what next?

From Dabbers To Rockers

The trend for reuse of existing buildings (that were previously earmarked for demolition) continues with the former Mecca Bingo hall at Regent Circus.

It's now been confirmed that the new owner's intention is to turn it into a venue for live music.

Swindon Centric recalls the cackhanded way the closure was handled.

And comments about the asbestos making the building "impossible" to use, really weren't accurate then, were they?

Swindon Centric Says ; The tented market, the new music venue, lets keep this revival of shuttered buildings going...

Oh So Quiet... Granville Street Development On Hold

A day after the scheme for the residential tower at Regent Circus was shelved, due to the recession, another part of another area due for building has been announced to be going the same way, fast.

The Regent Place (not to be confused with the college site at Regent Circus) area of 'The Hub' area of the rebuilding of the town centre, on the Granville Street carpark, has been shelved for the moment as the retail sector readjusts during the recession.

An attempt at reassurance came out of Councillor Young that the 'Union Square' area (formerly called 'The Exchange' and located on the swathes of land between Fleming Way, the bus station and the railway station) is signed and sealed contract-wise.

Swindon Centric Says ; The New Swindon Company don't seem to be doing much to justify their existence, except renaming the development areas as a marketing team might do the same for a theme park.

Expecting a runaway mine money train to be put into the plans for Regent Place any day now, once the market picks up of course.

Every Little Helps, But Tesco Might Not Be At Regent Circus

Where Swindon Centric leads, others follow, with the Adver today publishing details about the Regent Circus back-and-forth discussions.

So the majority of the scheme is still alive, but the tower plan has been put on hold for the moment, maybe after the recession it'll rise with the green shoots. But the supermarket will either be Morrisons, Waitrose, Somerfield (soon to be the Co-op) or Tesco.

Swindon Centric Says ; As long as the cinema scheme is retained, then, after 5pm, the area won't go dead like most of the town centre at the moment.

Every Little Helps With Regent Circus Development

A short story on BBC Radio Wiltshire this morning suggested that contracts are on the verge of being signed for the supermarket that will be part of the Regent Circus development. This ties with this post at the end of last month about the redevelopment negotiations.

Coincidentally, an overheard conversation in the town centre today suggested that Tesco, currently hidden away underneath Debenhams, will relocate "further up town".

Swindon Centric Says ; Will it be Tesco that will sit on the former college site?