Swindon's £131,000 temporary town park plan criticised

Plans to build a temporary park on a derelict plot of land in Swindon's town centre have drawn criticism.

The Conservative-run borough council proposes to build on the former Post Office site off Fleming Way at a cost of £131,000.

But the park may only be there for three years, until it makes way for further redevelopment of the site.

Lib Dem Councillor Andy Harrison said for a three-year life span, the park would cost "an awful lot of money."

He said: "We aren't opposed to greening the area, but this proposal doesn't demonstrate to me best value."

Conservative Councillor Garry Perkins said the park would probably be around for longer than three years, before it becomes part of the new multi-million pound Union Square town centre regeneration project.

"Three years is the minimum time. It will probably be five years," he said.

"The Union Square development is programmed to take 10 years. In the meantime we'll have a park in the town centre which the locals in the central area can use.

"We want to 'green up' the centre of Swindon, give Swindon something special."

The £131,000 cost of the proposed park would be met by external funding, including developer contributions, known as Section 106 deposits.