Plans for square's new shops (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Plans for square's new shops

6:32pm Sunday 18th February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Residents are being invited to a meeting about the next phase in Cavendish Square's regeneration tomorrow.

Plans for the new shopping centre will be on show and people will have the chance to voice their opinions.

They will also be able to quiz Swindon councillors and the developers about how the project is progressing.

Council officers and representatives from Leehamton Development Ltd and Bellway Plc, the scheme's partners, will be at the meeting to answer any questions.

The next phase of the project will start at the beginning of March and will see new building works including a new Co-op store and the enlarging and restocking of the library.

After years of consultation, planning and preparation developers began work on the site at Cavendish Square last summer.

The improvements to Oaktree School are already finished, with the exception of the new football pitch and the multi-use games area.

The building of 174 new homes at the site is continuing, 33 of which will be affordable housing.

The massive project takes in all aspects of life at Cavendish Square, including residential, commercial and community.

The scheme is expected to be fully completed by early 2010.

Coun David Renard, the cabinet member for health, housing and social care, said Cavendish Square was built as a centrepiece to a new council housing estate in the 1960s, when it was highly regarded by local people.

He said the council intends to return the area to its former glory and create a development of which they can be proud.

"It has been amazing to see the regeneration of Cavendish Square unfold before our eyes," he said.

"The next phase, the development of the shopping centre, is extremely exciting and brings the project a step further to fruition."

The meeting will be held at the Oaktree School Hall, tomorrow at 6.30pm.