Car park levels could become a leisure hub

A sports and activities centre could be created on the upper floors of a car park if new plans are approved.

Swindon Borough Council has submitted a planning application to convert the top floors of the Whalebridge car park in Islington Street for sports use along with street food outlets and a recreational hub.

Council leader Jim Robbins described it as an "outside-the-box idea", adding the car park is underused and this could be part of re-energising the town centre.

The council sees this as part of its Heart of Swindon vision, to increase investment in the town centre and transform it.

In the vision, the Council is calling on local land and property owners to bring forward new uses for their own empty assets.

Mr Robbins said: "We want to transform the town centre into a bustling area that people want to come and visit, but we know that won't happen overnight."

Whalebridge is next to Fleming Way, which is currently undergoing work to become a new bus boulevard.

"While not what you would normally expect, similar proposals have been a success in other locations, including in Bristol where they've transformed a former Debenhams store into a skate park," said Mr Robbins.

"We know there's limited access to recreational leisure in the town centre and, along with being a new space for the local community, it can also become a hub for a variety of sports such as cricket or pickleball.

"This is an outside-the-box idea and I'm looking forward to seeing this project come forward and the benefits it can bring.

"Hopefully it will also encourage more landlords to look at what they can do to their own properties," he added.

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