HOUSING and town centre developers will pump millions into creating a new art gallery in central Swindon and revamping the town's leisure centres.

Two of Swindon Council's 50 Promises to improve the town involve developing a new art gallery and upgrading the Link and Oasis leisure centres.

Now it has emerged money collected by the council from developers will help fund the two schemes.

"Everyone who builds a new house in Swindon has the potential to make a contribution to arts, culture and leisure in the town," said David Potter, the director of planning and regeneration at Swindon Council.

"So we are looking at what the requirements would be for replacing the existing art gallery.

"We haven't got a site for it and we aren't too sure exactly what we would want. But we are looking at what the most appropriate way of housing the council's art collection is, what the running costs would be and what the usage levels will be.

"I would hope that in the next 12 months we would also start on a similar scheme for our leisure centres.

"Each one is different enough that each development in Swindon could channel money into upgrading them."

When a developer begins any kind of project, Swindon Council - like all local authorities - charges the business for related schemes.

Usually that involves getting funding for link roads in and out of a development and often, if a housing scheme is large enough, it can include demands for cash to pay for new schools.

Now Swindon Council is also planning to charge developers for improving arts and leisure facilities across the town which will help fund the new gallery and the revamp of the town's leisure centres.

"The new gallery will give us vital extra space for local artists and for schools," said Coun Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Council's cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation.

"There are artists in this town who charge six figures for their pieces. This new facility could be a great place to show their work and create a hive of activity.

"Modernising and rebuilding the Oasis and Link centres is absolutely essential work.

"We have been working extremely hard on options for both centres and know that these monies could potentially play a significant part in the schemes."