New owner of Honda site submits planning application

The new owner of the former Honda manufacturing site in Swindon has submitted a planning application to create a logistics and manufacturing centre.

Panattoni is seeking permission from Swindon Borough Council to:

• Create a logistics and manufacturing centre
• Develop the 145 hectare site for a range of employment uses, including light industrial, storage and distribution and general industrial and manufacturing uses
• Create a new public park that would provide cycle and pedestrian routes linking existing points in the west with South Marston in the east.

Panattoni estimates around 7,000 direct new jobs would be created on-site over the next 10 years

In August last year, Panattoni, Europe’s largest developer of new build industrial and logistics facilities, agreed to acquire the site.

Ahead of submitting the application, the company consulted on initial proposals for the site, available at www.panattoniswindon.co.uk

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, said: “I welcome the submission of this first planning application by Panattoni and the scale and ambition of these plans which, subject to the planning process and the planning committee granting permission, would transform the former Honda site generating thousands of new jobs.

“Panattoni already has a track record in Swindon, delivering the 2.3 million sq ft logistics centre at Symmetry Park for Amazon.”

Leader of the council, David Renard, added: “It’s great to see this planning application come forward that would generate significant economic benefits to Swindon.

“During the first consultation process it was estimated that the £700 million investment to redevelop the site could bring £1.4 billion worth of economic value to the town through the value of goods and services. I would encourage residents to review the plans and have their say.”

The application is now subject to public consultation. For more details and to comment on the plans visit https://pa1.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/ and search for reference S/22/0284

Honda announced its intention to close its Swindon production line, where its Civic hatchback was produced by 3,500 workers and a further 12,000 in the supply chain, in February 2019.

Panattoni announced its acquisition of the site in March 2021 and the last car rolled off the Honda production line in August last year.