The first phase of Muse's £350 million regeneration of Union Square in the centre of Swindon is to start in late spring following the approval of plans to progress the scheme.

Swindon Borough Council's planning committee has approved a joint planning application by Muse and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Forward Swindon, the company responsible for economic growth and development in Swindon, has facilitated the scheme on behalf of Swindon Borough Council.

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Councillors approved plans for one residential building comprising 45 assisted living apartments and a high quality 850 space multi-storey car park. The apartments will be operated by locally based housing group GreenSquare who are funding the residential element with private finance and grant from the HCA and Swindon Borough Council. GreenSquare will own the new homes which will be managed by Swindon Borough Council initially for five years. The car park will be managed by Swindon Borough Council when complete.

Doug Finlay, Development Director at Muse, said: "This approval is a significant milestone for the project and will ensure a start on site in the late spring. The total build cost for this first phase is around £25 million, which will bring much needed investment into the town."

(CD/GK)