£700m redevelopment plans for former Honda factory site get green light

Local authority bosses have approved plans for a £700m development scheme at Swindon’s former Honda factory site.

The plans were put forward by developer Panattoni which bought the former car factory when it was vacated by Honda in 2021.

The plans show an increase in the use of the  site with ten buildings of differing sizes that could be used for industrial uses or storage and distribution.

The scheme would add around 670,000 sq m of employment space to the Swindon economy, while it is estimated that it would provide around 7,000 local jobs over the next decade.

Panattoni said: “We are committed to delivering a best-in-class employment park and business community at Panattoni Park Swindon, setting new standards for commercial development with high-quality sustainable buildings, supporting facilities and infrastructure, all set within a landscape which enhances biodiversity and is accessible to employees, visitors and the local community by sustainable modes of transport.”

The scheme was approved by councillors at a Swindon Borough Council planning committee.

Speaking at the committee Panattoni development director James Watson said: “The development will add a value of £295m per annum, or £1.2bn over the first decade, to the local economy.

“There will be 7,000 jobs created on the site – at its peak Honda employed 5,000 people. As well as the 7,000 jobs directly created, there will be 5,000 additional spin-off jobs created.

“If this is approved, Panattoni’s priority will be to secure the international and UK businesses for the site, and offer residents of Swindon good employment opportunities as soon as possible.”