South Swindon Parish

Human settlement in England

South Swindon

Villetts House, Old Town

South Swindon

Location within Wiltshire

Area| 16.04 km2 (6.19 sq mi)
Population| 62,871 (2021 census)[1]
• Density| 3,920/km2 (10,200/sq mi)
OS grid reference| SU154851
Civil parish|

* South Swindon

Unitary authority|

* Swindon

Ceremonial county|

* Wiltshire

Region|

* South West

Country| England
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| Swindon
Postcode district| SN1
Dialling code| 01793
Police| Wiltshire
Fire| Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance| South Western
UK Parliament|

* South Swindon

Website| https://southswindon-pc.gov.uk/

List of places

England
Wiltshire

51°34′N 1°46′W﻿ / ﻿51.56°N 1.77°W﻿ / 51.56; -1.77

South Swindon is a civil parish in the town of Swindon, England. In 2021 it had a population of 62,871. South Swindon is the largest civil parish in the Borough of Swindon by population, and the fifth largest civil parish by population in England.

## History and governance[edit]

Prior to 2017, the areas which now form part of South Swindon were part of Swindon's non-parished areas.

Following a Community Governance Review in 2017,[2] four new parishes were created, covering all of Swindon's non-parished areas. The parish was originally created with the official name of "Central Swindon South". Representatives of the new parish unsuccessfully petitioned Swindon Borough Council to change the name to "South Swindon" in November 2017.[3] Despite refusal of this request, the parish chose to use "South Swindon Parish Council" as a trading name.[4] Following a renewed request in October 2023, Swindon Borough Council consented to formally change the name to South Swindon.[5]

The Parish elects 23 councillors at elections held every four years. All elections to date have been contested on a party-political basis, and at the elections held in May 2023 all elected councillors stood for the Labour Party.[6]

The parish offices and council chamber are in the Broadgreen Community Centre in the town centre.[7]

## Geography[edit]

The north-western boundary of South Swindon is formed by the Great Western Main Line, while the southern boundary is primarily the M4 motorway. The eastern boundary with Nythe, Eldene and Liden parish largely follows the Dorcan Stream (a small tributary of the River Cole).

The parish includes neighbourhoods and communities with distinct identities. These include Walcot, Park North and Park South, Badbury Park, Lawn, Old Town, and Swindon's urban centre. The community of Wichelstowe is partially within the parish, with East Wichel within South Swindon, while Mid Wichel and West Wichel are part of Wroughton civil parish.

## Amenities[edit]

South Swindon covers Swindon's Town Centre area, which includes the town's main shopping district, as well as Swindon's Old Town which has further retail and leisure. All of Swindon's commercial theatre venues are in the parish (Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Arts Centre and MECA), as well as one of the town's three multiplex cinemas.

Swindon railway station is in the parish, as is Swindon's main bus interchange at Fleming Way,

South Swindon parish has direct responsibility for maintaining several of Swindon's most prominent parks, including Queen's Park, the Town Gardens in Old Town, and GWR Park in the town's historic Railway Village. The parish is also home to Coate Water Country Park, which is maintained by Swindon Borough Council.

South Swindon Parish Council operates two public libraries which are integrated with the Swindon Borough Library Service. Old Town Library was transferred to the parish from Swindon Borough Council in 2017.[8] Badbury Park Library was opened in 2023.[9]

The parish directly operates community centres in Badbury Park and at Broadgreen in Swindon Central. Other community centres in the parish are operated by voluntary or community groups or by other organisations.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Central Swindon South: population statistics, 2021 Census". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
2. ^ "Community Governance Review". Swindon Borough Council. 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
3. ^ Seaward, Tom (1 November 2017). "South Swindon Parish Council responds to name change block". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
4. ^ "South Swindon Parish Council". Central Swindon South Parish Council. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
5. ^ Thomas, Aled. "South Swindon Parish Council can change its name". Swindon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
6. ^ Hudson, Barrie. "The new make-up of Swindon's parish councils following elections". Swindon Link. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
7. ^ "South Swindon Parish Council Contact Us page". South Swindon Parish Council. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
8. ^ "South Swindon Parish Council Old Town Library". South Swindon Parish Council. 28 September 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
9. ^ "New Badbury Park library in Swindon officially opens". 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

## External links[edit]

Media related to Central Swindon South at Wikimedia Commons

* South Swindon Parish Council