The residents of Bloor Homes’ highly acclaimed development at Angel Ridge off Okus Road, in Old Town Swindon were treated to a lovely evening of songs and carols when students from The Commonweal School and members of Swindon Brass joined forces at a ceremony to mark the successful conclusion of the project.

Commonweal School is very much part of the community and were delighted to entertain on this special occasion.

Halfway through the proceedings, John Lusty, MD of Bloor Homes South West officially handed over an area of landscaped public open space known at The Piazza to the Mayor of Swindon, Cllr David Wren, who switched on the lights on a Christmas tree at the ceremony.

The Piazza forms the focal point of the development and is the final resting place for the foundation stone of the former Princess Margaret Hospital which originally occupied the site.

Bloor acquired the site in 2003 and was granted Planning Permission to build 450 new homes.

Commenting on the new development at the time, Bloor Homes Regional Managing Director, John Lusty said, “We recognise that this is a key site in Swindon and one that many people feel a great connection to through its hospital past. We’re looking to move the basic development ideas forward here and create a real mix of housing that will benefit the whole of Swindon”.

When the demolition of Princess Margaret Hospital began on February 4th 2004, it was a day mixed with sadness and expectation. John Lusty again observed, “For more than forty years, the hospital has served as a backdrop to the lives and losses of Swindon’s people. That’s why at Bloor Homes, we are determined to deliver a development that lived up to the hospital’s legacy and exceeded everyone’s expectations”.

Five years on that vision has become a reality at Angel Ridge, with a selection of attractive, eco-friendly homes, built to the latest technical standards in a beautiful, natural setting. Part of the new development also includes a new £1.3m health centre with a doctor’s surgery and a pharmacy on the site of the old Princess Margaret Hospital site.

The Mayor particularly enjoyed Commonweal's performance and referred to them as the X factor of the future and said he was” totally impressed” by their performance.

Trees, hedgerows and wide open spaces throughout compliment the homes’ traditional styling's to create a calming environment. From the sympathetically planned streets, to the landscaped gardens and central, landscaped Piazza - featuring the hospital’s original foundation stone, laid so many years ago by Princess Margaret herself - Angel Ridge has become something very special.

Commenting on the arrangements for the handover ceremony, Michele Rose, South Western Regional Sales Director said, “We are proud to have marked the culmination of Angel Ridge with the official handover of The Piazza tonight. We were honored to have been joined by the Mayor of Swindon, Cllr David Wren and residents of Angel Ridge. And we were delighted to have been entertained buy the singing of some very talented students from the Commonweal School and the excellent musicianship of Swindon Brass”.