Swindon Borough Council has selected Willmott Dixon to develop phase 1B of the Queens Drive housing development, creating more than 100 homes.

The contract, worth £18.5 million, procured using the Scape framework, will see Willmott Dixon demolish four derelict residential towers to make way for 68 new apartments and 34 houses in the latest part of Queens Drive's redevelopment, with Willmott Dixon already on-site delivering phase 1A, a £11.5m contract to create 15 houses and 32 apartments

The development will act as a gateway to Swindon town centre, with the new homes carefully designed to pay homage to Swindon's famous heritage as a rail industry powerhouse. The apartments will be carefully constructed using the same grid formation of the site’s former engine sheds, which used to house, repair and maintain trains.

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Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon's Central South region, said: "We are delighted to be appointed to the next phase of Queens Drive, following our commencement of Phase 1A in June 2020. The project will provide much needed affordable housing within the town as well as providing a legacy to the proud railway heritage the town is renowned for.

"The requirement for climate ready housing from Swindon Borough Council is welcomed and enables us to build on our own environmental objectives. Through our 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, we have committed to ensure the buildings we deliver will be future-climate ready and optimise the health and wellbeing of the people living and working in them."