Local people asked for their views on former Oakfield Project building and Buckhurst Park community facilities

The public are being asked to share their ideas on how two community areas off Marlowe Avenue, could be improved.

Published: Monday, 15th November 2021

Oakfield Building consultation

Buckhurst Park and the former Oakfield Project building would form part of a new community space next to the new Nationwide Building Society-sponsored housing development on the adjacent former Oakfield campus site.

The former Oakfield Project building, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, is owned by Swindon Borough Council and was previously used by the EOTAS (Education Other Than AT School) education provision who have now relocated to another part of Swindon.

The Council is committed to investing in the site to improve or redevelop it for community use. South Swindon Parish Council has also expressed an interest in taking over the management of any future community facilities.

Nationwide and Vaillant (the company providing air source heat pumps to the new Oakfield development) are co-funding a Tiny Forest in Buckhurst Park, created by Earthwatch UK in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council. The Tiny Forest is an area the size of a tennis court, planted with fast-growing native trees.

The Council, Nationwide and the Parish Council are all keen to find out what is important to local people and what amenities and community space they would like to see created.

The Parish Council would also like to find out how residents use Buckhurst Park and what improvements they would like to see there.

Looking ahead, local residents can share their thoughts about the type of facility that will meet the needs of the community, the future of Buckhurst Park and the layout of the Tiny Forest via an online survey at: https://oakfieldswindon.co.uk/community-survey from today (15 Nov) until 15 December. The survey will take about five minutes to complete.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “There is a really great opportunity to develop a fantastic community facility on the site of the former Oakfield Project building so it is really important we hear from local people to get their views.

“The Parish Council has expressed an interest in running the new facilities and I know they are keen to understand what improvements residents would like to see at Buckhurst Park.

“If you live in the local area and would like to have a say in the site’s future please do fill in the survey or pop along to one of the drop-in events.”

Councillor Neil Hopkins, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council Leisure, Amenities and Environment Committee, said: “South Swindon Parish Council welcomes the opportunity to work with Swindon Borough Council and Nationwide to consult directly with residents and users to identify what the community would like to see from a new development at this location.

“The Parish Council is particularly keen for the new facility to be accessible and cater to as many user groups as possible as well as being environmentally and financially sustainable for the Parish for the future.”

Two drop-in events are also planned for local people to talk through their ideas. The first will take place on Saturday, 27 November at The Shop in Cavendish Square between 10am and 12noon. The second event will be at the same location on Monday, 29 November between 3pm and 6.30pm.

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