Work to Swindon's former Honda site to begin in February

The airfield around the former Honda factory is set to become one of the largest commercial sites in southern England

Demolition of Swindon's former Honda factory is due to start in February, say its new owners.

Developers Pannatoni told the BBC they also hope to begin construction of new business facilities by the end of 2024.

The £700m redevelopment of the South Marston site will include 11 buildings which can be used as manufacturing sites or warehouses.

Panattoni's development director James Watson said it will create 7,000 jobs at its peak.

The site will include 11 buildings which can be used as manufacturing sites or warehouses.

He said: "Honda employed 5,000 people. As well as the jobs created, there will be 5,000 additional spin-off jobs created."

"The development will add a value of £295m each year, or £1.2bn over the first decade to the local economy," he added.

The Honda car plant closed in 2021 having made 3.7m cars during its 36 years in the town.

The factory and surrounding former airfield was later bought in early 2022 by developer Panattoni, which also built the town's Amazon fulfilment centre and specialises in high-end distribution centres.

Almost £7.5m will be spent on improvements to the immediate area and the local borough

The formal decision notice to approve the creation of an industrial park on the site was issued in December 2023, 22 months after the application was first put in.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it means the final agreements are now all signed off between developers Panattoni and Swindon Borough Council on conditions and especially contributions made by the developer to improve infrastructure and facilities on and near the site and elsewhere in Swindon.

The purchase is due to be completed in February - with Panattoni intending to start work within days of that happening.It is said around £7.5m will be spent on improvements to the immediate area and the borough as a whole, including 50 sites, to offset the damage redeveloping the former airfield will do to the local ecology.

Although no tenants have been announced, Panattoni is already marketing the site, which it calls Panattoni Park.

Honda ceased production in 2021 after 36 years in Swindon