Haydon Wick Parish Council opens solar-powered depot for its grounds team

Haydon Wick Parish Council in Swindon officially opened a new purpose-built depot for its grounds maintenance team, Swindon24 reported on Tuesday 28 July 2026. The Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Neil Hopkins, and the parish council's Chairman, Councillor Vinay Manro, opened the building.

It replaces a small storage shed with no running water or toilets. The team had also been working from a borough council building at Waterside, which meant extra travel each day.

Councillor Manro said: "It gives them a local site within the parish."

What is different about the building?

• Solar panels generate much of its electricity during daylight hours.
• A rainwater harvesting system collects water for the neighbouring allotments.

The depot stands on part of an allotment site. Four plots were temporarily taken out of use and their tenants relocated during construction; the plots are now back in use.

Allotments in Haydon Wick

The parish council manages three allotment sites and is exploring a fourth in Oakhurst. Councillor Manro said most plots cost less than £60 a year, depending on size.

Parish Clerk Georgina Morgan-Denn said: "It should make us very efficient and very sustainable going forward."

Source: Swindon24.