PM attends launch of £900m complex at former Honda Swindon site

The Prime Minister has visited the former Honda manufacturing plant in Swindon, which is planned to be a new £900m commercial site.

The development of Panattoni Park, a manufacturing and warehousing facility, is anticipated to generate 7,000 job opportunities. Honda inaugurated its factory at the South Marston location in 1985 but ceased operations in 2021 after producing over 3.7 million cars.

PM Rishi Sunak is optimistic about this new development, expressing confidence that it will yield numerous high-quality job prospects. The complex is projected to be completed in approximately five years. While the Honda factory occupied around 2.2 million sq. ft of space, Panattoni intends to utilize more of the site's potential by constructing buildings spanning 5.5 million sq. ft, roughly.

The ongoing demolition is deemed necessary, but efforts are being made to ensure both the demolition and subsequent construction processes are as ecologically friendly as possible. Developers aim to recycle about 90% of all materials and prioritise sustainability. The demolition phase is expected to last 12-18 months, during which construction will commence simultaneously.

The site is expected to be fully operational within five years. Panattoni plans to have the initial one or two buildings completed by then, with a strategy to build speculatively, attract customers, and proceed with further construction.

Photo credit BBC.