Demolishing Bond film building would be a 'loss'

A building made famous by a James Bond film could be demolished to build 300 homes and a new company headquarters.

Planning applications are set to be submitted for the redevelopment of the former Motorola building - now a base for Vygon UK - in Swindon, Wiltshire, which appeared in The World Is Not Enough in 2001 as a Turkish oil platform.

Councillor Jake Chandler, who previously fought for a neighbouring housing development's streets to be named after the film, said he would be "sad" to see the "iconic" building go and it would be a "loss" to the town.

Vygon's general manager Dale Keegan said it would "safeguard" the company's "long term future" in Swindon and "protect existing jobs".

The Motorola building was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, and medical supplies manufacturer, Vygon, moved into the premises in 2011.

The proposal includes a 60,000 sq. ft. purpose-built headquarters and up to 300 new homes to make "effective use" of "surplus brownfield land".

While acknowledging Swindon does need more homes, Chandler said: "Residents are concerned about the loss of employable land that could be used by other companies."

He added: "There's the pressure that housing creates on the road infrastructure which is at times pushed past breaking point, and on school places, your ability to access GPs and things like that."

Chandler said the building was "not in particularly good condition", but hoped the company "would look at retaining some features of the old building so that it isn't entirely lost".

Ajay Chowdhury, co-author of Darker Than The Sun: An Atlas of James Bond Movie Locations, said the building was a "hidden gem" which "puts Wiltshire on the map".

"The loss of the site will be mourned by Bond fans around the world for whom 007 tourism has become a growth industry," he said.

Vygon is currently consulting with residents before finalising planning applications.

Keegan said he recognises people in Swindon have a "strong connection" to the building, but it presents "significant maintenance and operational challenges".

He said: "Parts of our premises are difficult for staff to work in, becoming much too hot in summer and too cold in winter. It is also considerably larger than we require.

"Renovation is not a viable option as the building cannot easily be adapted to provide the modern workplace our teams need."

Keegan said the development would "help meet local housing need on a sustainable, well-connected site Swindon Borough Council considers suitable for new homes."

The consultation window ends on 28 August.

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