• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Wednesday January 22 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Keir Starmer gives ringing endorsement to Swindon’s Panattoni Park

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given a ringing endorsement to Swindon’s Panattoni Park, the 7.2 million sq ft logistics park being built on the former Honda manufacturing plant in Swindon.

The PM was responding to a question by Swindon North MP Will Stone today (Wednesday) in the House of Commons, regarding the importance of the site in the UK’s growth strategy.

“In Swindon North we have the Panattoni Park development. It is one of the largest employment developments in Europe. It’s got massive potential for growth,” said the newly-elected MP, who unseated Tory minister Justin Tomlinson at the last general election.

The MP extended an invitation for the prime minister to join him on a visit to the site.

The PM responded: “At the heart of our plan for change is growth, to fund our public services, create good jobs, and raise living standards across the country.

“He’s right to champion one of the largest Brownfield sites in the UK, which could create over 11,000 jobs on site and add £1.2 billion to the economy.

“It underlines the importance of this government bringing economic stability, creating the National Wealth Fund, and driving up growth.”

Sir Keir did not say whether he would accept the invitation to visit Swindon, but if he does he won’t be the first to call at the former Honda factory – former Conservative prime minister, Rishi Sunak, grabbed a shovel and broke the first turf at the site in March 2024.

Panattoni is investing £900 million into its Swindon site. Once complete, it will comprise of 11 net zero carbon buildings totalling 7.2 million sq ft of brand new advanced real estate space, fit for logistics, manufacturing, and data centre uses.