Train station transformation on track with important funding boost
A game-changing regeneration scheme, which will transform Swindon railway station and the surrounding land, has received another significant cash injection to kick-start the project.
Published: Friday, 13th June 2025
Known as Swindon Knowledge Central, more than 100 acres of brownfield land next to the railway has been earmarked for redevelopment, creating a new high-quality commercial district within Swindon town centre, thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new homes.
Earlier this year, Homes England awarded Swindon Borough Council £100,000 to begin designs for a new northern entrance to the town’s railway station.
Plans are also in place to build a new multi-storey car park on the site of the current north car park, accessible from North Star, which will allow the surface car parks on the south side of the railway tracks to become available for development.
Now, the Council will use £175,000 from the One Public Estate (OPE) programme, to take the scheme to the next stage.
The OPE is a national programme delivered in partnership by the Office of Government Property (OGP) within the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide practical and technical support and funding to councils to deliver ambitious property-focused programmes in collaboration with central government and other public sector partners.
The funding will be used to create a master plan for the site, support design work and prepare a business case to unlock future funding streams to deliver the major regeneration scheme.
Partners working with the Council on the plans include Network Rail, GWR, Homes England, Department for Business and Trade, UK Research and Innovation and Business West.
Swindon Knowledge Central strategic board, which will meet again next Wednesday (18 June), has been established to oversee and drive forward the scheme, while a development company will also be formed over the coming months.
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “Swindon Knowledge Central will be the biggest regeneration scheme the Borough has seen in decades.
“It forms an integral part of our vision for the Heart of Swindon, bringing much-needed homes, jobs and investment to a brownfield site, while also acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration of the town centre.
“The funding we have received from One Public Estate will enable us to undertake crucial design work and ensure we put all of the pieces of the jigsaw together so we deliver a game-changing development for local people and our economy.”