A five-strong shortlist has been picked for the development of the £300m Exchange scheme in Swindon.

The New Swindon Company has selected Amec, Akeler, Blackfriars Investments, a joint venture between CTP and St James Securities, and Eastcott Regeneration Partnership - a consortium of Miller Developments, Ashcroft Estates and local developer Guildhouse - to compete to develop the 1.7m sq ft (160,000 sq m) scheme.

The list has been whittled down from an original list of nine. The procurement process is being conducted for the urban regeneration company by CB Richard Ellis. A decision is due towards the end of August.

The scheme comprises 645,840 sq ft (60,000 sq m) of offices, 430,560 sq ft (40,000 sq m) of retail, between 300 and 400 homes and a 200-bed hotel on a 17.5 acre (7.1 ha) plot.

The exchange site, which sits between the railway station and the central business district, is one of seven regeneration areas within the Town Centre. Work is expected to start on site in the second half of 2007.