James Bond enthusiasts have experienced a challenging period recently. Since the release of No Time to Die, which marked Daniel Craig's departure from the role, the franchise has entered a state of uncertainty. While a new Bond film is anticipated, directed by Denis Villeneuve, details regarding its release date, lead actor, and the direction under Amazon remain unknown.
In search of something tangible to anchor their excitement, fans can now look to north Swindon. A new housing estate, built on the site of the former Motorola manufacturing facility, has named several roads after elements of the James Bond franchise. According to the BBC, Taylor Wimpey's Robin Gardens development features Bond Place, Desmond Crescent, and Llewelyn Road, all paying homage to the iconic series. Notably, Dench Close also appears, named after Dame Judi Dench, who portrayed M.
The choice of Swindon may seem unusual, but it is rooted in local connections: Ian Fleming is buried nearby, and he wrote Quantum of Solace just a short drive from the town centre. However, the primary reason is that the exterior of the Motorola building was used as a stand-in for a Turkish oil refinery in the 1999 film The World Is Not Enough.
While this tribute is charming, it raises questions. The entire estate is named after a single location scout's decision that a phone factory resembled an oil refinery. Yet, many other filming locations could lay claim to similar recognition. For instance, Tomorrow Never Dies was shot in Feltham, Surrey Quays, and a Brent Cross car park. Die Another Day featured the Eden Project and a vintage shop in Stoke Newington. Even A View to a Kill used a Renault distribution centre in Swindon.
If every such location were to inspire a housing estate, the possibilities are endless. A tank chase from GoldenEye was filmed in Peterborough, the Shanghai pool scene from Skyfall at a Virgin Active in Canary Wharf, and the cargo plane scene from Die Another Day at an abandoned Kent airport. All could become homes for devoted Bond fans.
Until the next Bond film arrives, this quirky tribute keeps the spirit alive. After all, a road named after Judi Dench in Swindon seems far more fitting than the ill-fated James Bond game show Amazon produced three years ago.
