Taylor Wimpey to hold launch event for Abbey Stadium development

Taylor Wimpey has built showhomes for its new Robin Gardens development on the Abbey Stadium land off Lady Lane, and is holding a launch event for prospective buyers in February. 

This event was initially scheduled for January 13 at 11am, but after being approached for more information by the Adver, Taylor Wimpey has now confirmed it will take place at a later date of February 3.

It is not known why the event was moved. 

There will be two showhomes opening at Robin Gardens on this day. One will be a three-bedroom property known as Brandywell and the other a four-bedroom home, known as Owlerton.

The new date for the Robin Gardens launch event (Image: Facebook)

Members of the Taylor Wimpey sales team will be on hand between 11am and 4pm to talk to customers about the homes and offers available.

This development comes after members of the public expressed concerns in November over the construction of show homes in the former car park of Abbey Stadium. 

The stadium and surrounding land are owned by Gaming International, which entered into a joint partnership with the housebuilding firm to construct 179 homes.

But as part of the planning approval issued by Swindon Borough Council, a new greyhound racing and speedway stadium had to be built first. 

The agreement said: "The owners covenant not to commence development of the residential units until milestones one to 10 have reached practical completion and a certified copy of the relevant certificate of practical completion has been submitted to the council by the contract administrator."

Homes being built in the former Abbey Stadium car park (Image: Craig Dickson)Since then planning officers at the council have been investigating and checking to see if the agreement has been breached, but a council spokesperson has provided an update on this. 

They said: “The Council cannot comment on allegations in relation to specific sites prior to any enforcement action that may or may not be taken.

“We would advise anyone who is buying a property to make sure they carry out the necessary due diligence to understand what restrictions could impact their potential purchase, including any planning conditions or obligations.”

Gaming International did not comment, but Taylor Wimpey stated that as far as it is concerned, the obligations to allow the company to start building houses have been met.

A spokesperson said: “We have been in regular discussion with Swindon Borough Council regarding the planning conditions on our site in Swindon and can confirm that pre-commencement obligations in relation to the stadium have been met."