AN OKUS development is a sad sight for those with fond memories of Swindon's former Princess Margaret Hospital.

All that remains now is the shell of the main building, standing in the wasteland of rubble and dust but its days are numbered.

The next stage of demolition will begin in the second week of July. Workers will start the dismantling process of the hospital block, piece by piece.

But the memory of PMH will live on in the planned 500-home development, recently named Angel Ridge.

Terry King, who heads the Okus Area Residents' Association, is excited about the future of the site.

He said: "We'll be pleased to see the back of the building to be honest. It was a blot on the landscape from the M4.

"For many years we suffered from 8,000 or so vehicles a day driving in a small cul-de-sac and since the hospital closed residents have been very pleased that has stopped.

"The plans for redevelopment seem very sensible. Our only concern is about the density with this scheme and the other housing scheme at Okus Industrial Estate.

"But overall we are very happy with the progress."

The hospital's foundation stone, which was laid by Princess Margaret in May of 1957, is expected to take centre stage in Angel Ridge.

Swindon-based Bloor Homes, the owner of the 24-acre site, is this week sending out newsletters to residents in the Okus area, keeping them up-to-date with progress.

The newsletter details work carried out so far and has graphics depicting how the area will look when the development is finished. It also has inform-ation about Bloor employees.

One of them, Lorraine Palmer, 44, said: "For over four decades Princess Margaret Hospital was the backdrop to the lives and losses of Swindon's people.

"It will be sorely missed but I'm confident Angel Ridge will prove a fitting testament to the heritage of this landmark location."

The hospital closed at 7am on December 3, 2002.

Work began to raze the building in February this year.

The completed development will feature a range of homes, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, in a variety of styles.

For more inform-ation, contact Bloor Homes on 01793 513938 or email swi@bloorhomes.com.

Alex Emery