THE Civic Trust is raising the stakes in the ongoing battle with the New Swindon Company for the regeneration of the town centre.

In an open letter to the New Swindon Company, which unveiled its plans for the town in July, chairman John Monniot labels the trust's proposals as "the solution Swindon people want."

The trust says it has seen its membership double in the last couple of weeks.

Mr Monniot describes the NSC's plans as disappointing and says they bear little relationship to those which were used as the basis of public consultation.

The NSC is also accused of not representing the community adequately.

The letter reads: "We suspect that this lack of community involvement may be the root cause of your bringing forward inappropriate proposals for the redevelopment of the town centre."

The trust would like to see a major university presence in the town centre, whereas the NSC does not believe this is the key to broad regeneration.

Alan Hayward, a trust committee member, said: "Our proposals are good and everyone we have spoken to agrees with us.

"Their plans are all about sites they want to sell for redevelopment. There's nothing in there in terms of vision.

"We want them to tell us why they can't do what we're suggesting.

"A redeveloped town centre could easily accommodate a major university presence along with new shops, offices and housing.

"Siting the University of Bath's new campus in the centre would not only greatly improve the prospects of the town centre, but it would also save Coate from concrete."

The civic trust also claims it has experienced a surge in membership numbers since it first made its plans public earlier this month.

It has now doubled its membership to about 120 people and it won the Advertiser's phone poll, securing 83 per cent of the votes.

NSC chief executive Peter Andrews said: "The project areas we announced last month are the result of detailed economic analysis and public consultation.

"The town centre is not performing as it should be in terms of shopping and office employment, as well as cultural and educational facilities."

Emma-Kate idbury