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New look for Marlowe Avenue unveiled
7:00am Friday 10th July 2009
A PLAN to regenerate a Swindon shopping parade has had a mixed reaction from neighbours.
Swindon Council wants to rejuvenate the parade in Marlowe Avenue, Walcot, and build 29 new homes.
The council unveiled its plans, which will include the creation of four new shops, at Walcot Housing Information Fayre in Huntley Close yesterday.
Paul Williams, 30, a security guard who lives above the shops in Marlowe Avenue, said he believed the council needed to focus on some of the neighbourhood’s problems, including drug use, as well as the new scheme.
Mr Williams said: “The new buildings look nice and it will make the area look more respectable – that is important for the community.
“But the council need to remember you can change the face of a neighbourhood but it is what is behind the curtains that really counts. If you have new flats and shops but with druggies carrying needles and all sorts, no-one will want to live there.”
Steven Tough, 50, who works for Royal Mail and also lives above the shops, said: “They have made Cavendish Square look pretty good so I think they will do a good job on these new homes, flats and shops.”
The council asked local residents for their views ahead of submitting a planning application.
If planning permission is granted work on the scheme could begin before the end of this year.
Four new flats and four new shops will be built next to the shops if the proposal is approved.
The existing shops would then be demolished to make way for new houses.
All but one of the houses will be suitable for families, a council spokesman said.
John Coates, of the council’s property department, said: “The first consultation for these buildings took place at some point in 2007. Originally it was to be done by private developers but that was not possible in the current economic climate, so we decided to do it ourselves.
“So far everything we have heard about the plans has been positive, and as this is the first time these plans have been seen by the public that is good news.”
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Your Say YourWiltshire
glad i left, lemesos says...
8:31am Fri 10 Jul 09
swindonistani, swindon says...
8:34am Fri 10 Jul 09
Bobfm, South Marston says...
9:24am Fri 10 Jul 09
glad i left, lemesos says...
9:27am Fri 10 Jul 09
mr_fix_it, swindon says...
9:45am Fri 10 Jul 09
stfcpaul, Wroughton says...
9:47am Fri 10 Jul 09
swindonistani, swindon says...
9:48am Fri 10 Jul 09
mr_fix_it wrote:I suggest they start regenerating what the SBC is supposed to be regenerating for the last 10 years rather than wasting money in stupid ideas like this one.
At least they are attempting to regenerate these run down areas. This is the right direction. Makes a pleasant change from the "x thousand pointless new homes to be built on the outskirts" type headline.
I don't pay council tax to see it wasted on some estate, I seriously think they are getting enough money out of us ALREADY!
real -life, town centre says...
10:04am Fri 10 Jul 09
swindonistani, swindon says...
10:09am Fri 10 Jul 09
real -life wrote:I love to see everyone paying council tax based on income.
lots of typical steeotyping comments. How about someone actually coming up with a workable plan for a change. And this doesn't come from Council Tax as so many still seem to think it does, this is being done by Housing from housing rents. Just where exactly are people supposed to live then? Apart from well away from you that is!!!!!!
If they can't pay, then they can't live there! simple as!
on that basis, we would clear our cities from a lot of the current junk and would be living in harmonious communities, knowing that everyone is contributing.
Go back to your communist hole and don't try to get personal with me, thats my advice.
Bobfm, South Marston says...
10:29am Fri 10 Jul 09
The article merely says the Council have decided to build it themselves.
BWB, SWINDON says...
12:34pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Tented Market set to reopen.Same person,but under a new name.PANTHER.
Something rather dodgy going on here as per usual.
Watch this space.
Perhaps one of our local Councillors reading this will issue a statement.But dont hold your breath.
carleah, swindon/parknorth says...
1:09pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Kineasy, Swindon says...
3:10pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Al Smith, Swindon says...
3:41pm Fri 10 Jul 09
BWB wrote:Interesting...
NEWS FLASH.
Tented Market set to reopen.Same person,but under a new name.PANTHER.
Something rather dodgy going on here as per usual.
Watch this space.
Perhaps one of our local Councillors reading this will issue a statement.But dont hold your breath.
Bet they managed to get some grant or another to "create new jobs" or "revitalise town centres".
RF1, Swindon says...
4:51pm Fri 10 Jul 09
A Tax Payer, Peatmoor says...
6:45pm Fri 10 Jul 09
As an ex resident of Marlowe ave for many years as a nipper and a teenager it makes sense to take a fresh view of the shops. Gone are the days when there was a coop, butchers, greengrocer, drapers, off-licence and obligatory newsagent.
If an area is perceived to be a s88t hole it'll get treated like one. So hopefully the new "regeneration" will instill confidence and pride in the area.
I have moved on in life and live in an area much nicer that what Walcot has become. I remember the days when it was like the area i now live in, new, fresh friendly and safe. Good luck to the residents i hope it works for them.
s/w KEEP-AREA!
real -life, town centre says...
11:28pm Fri 10 Jul 09
swindonistani, swindon says...
9:02am Mon 13 Jul 09
real -life wrote:What happens if people can't pay? well they won't breed and after few generations of no social benefits, we would be a better society made up of hard working people rather than immigrants and lazy sex & drink craved unemployed!
I dont do personal attacks swindonastani, I leave that to you!!! It was a valid question, not everyone can work and pay their own way, what are you suggesting happens to them, the disappear intosome black hole somehwere?? All you have is critisism and no real world solutions and a communist I can assure you I am not, I agree that we should all pay our way if we can but the reality is not everyone can, so what happens to them? I would be very interested in your world plan that actually has a chance of working! Why dont you go and work for the council and tell them how its done!!! Its a nice easy job so you say......
I do not want to be a politician and certainly not work for any councils, I just want to campaign to stop ANY social benefits and the creation of personal social account. Those that work and pay would accumulate their contributions for when they need it.
Why the hell should we work and pay for others? I work for me and I expect my pay to pay for me and for what I may need, I am not a charity!
An artist’s impression of how the development could look
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RFM, Swindon says...
8:03am Fri 10 Jul 09