GIANT plant pots along Clive Parade in Pinehurst were needed to improve visitors’ first impressions of Swindon, according to Swindon Council, which has defended the investment.

The huge architectural planters, as they are called by the local authority, were installed earlier this summer in front of the shops and have divided opinion.

While some are pleased money has been spent on improving the appearance of the area, others have raised concerns they may attract anti-social behaviour.

The council said businesses were consulted on the plans to improve the appearance of the area in 2012, and that pots were preferred to planting trees directly into the ground.

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “Clive Parade has been in need of refurbishment for a number of years, particularly as it is a gateway into Swindon from the north of the town.

“A lack of space and underground gas and electric services meant that there was insufficient room to plant conventional trees and it was agreed to use architectural planters instead as they have been used successfully in other UK and European towns and cities.

“The planters have an in-built reservoir for the plants to draw upon. The tree planters have been topped with a mixture of grasses and shrubs, and in the autumn trees will be planted to complete the scheme.”

The project costs are circa £160,000, which was financed through the council’s capital budget with a major proportion from developer contributions, otherwise known as Section 106 money.