BUILDINGS on The Circle in Pinehurst have now been completely flattened and the land is ready for the second stage of the £1.2 million redevelopment.

Bulldozers have been working since autumn to pull down the outdated shopping parade which also included flats.

As part of the scheme, three new shops and two flats will replace the centre which many hope will breathe fresh life into the area.

Of the three shops which were based there, Simply Red unisex hair salon has been temporarily relocated to the former CAB building in Linden Avenue, One Stop convenience store has set up home in the former library in The Circle and Pinehurst Fisheries fish and chip shop has closed until the construction is finished.

The last tenant moved out of the flats in autumn and when the builders finish their work, which is expected to be in June or July, it will be the owner of the shops who takes over the reins of living space rather than the council.

Councillor John Ballman, who represents Gorse Hill and Pinehurst said he was pleased all the work is on schedule.

“It will bring considerable improvement to the area,” said Coun Ballman. “The shops which have been demolished were looking a little bit tired and really not fit for today’s purposes. The redesign looks quite good and I understand that there is no problem with the current business people returning to their premises.”

He said this was another step in the right direction for Pinehurst’s road to improvement with the Academy and community centre all contributing to the area’s future success.

“There has been considerable investment and I think most people are very happy with the plans,” said Coun Ballman.

Marcus Szczepanek, principal quantity surveyor at Swindon Council, said the weather had been on the side of the builders.

“Fortunately we have not had many frosts or any snow which can slow work down because you can’t do concrete or brick work when temperatures fall too low,” said Marcus. “The weather has been very kind to us, there has been some wind and rain but that won’t really affect the work.”

The development will have rainwater butts, dedicated recycling and refuse storage points, secure cycle storage, and a roof-mounted photo-voltaic panel.

There will also be 13 customer parking spaces and new benches, trolley parks, refuse bins and cycle racks.