Planning granted for next phase of landmark Swindon development

Planning permission has been granted for the first elements of the next phase of Swindon's landmark new housing development rapidly taking shape at Wichelstowe.

More than 80 homes in the first phase, Canalside, are now occupied and more than three quarters of the new apartments now nearing completion along the canal have already been snapped up.

The latest planning approvals include the overall design, style and character of the next phase of the development as well as detailed planning permission for 182 homes at Wichel Fields, just east of the newly occupied homes at Canalside.

Construction is planned to get underway this summer on 478 new homes at both Wichel Fields and the Orchards located at the north end of Wichelstowe.

One of the largest local authority joint venture agreements in the country, the Wichelstowe development is being built by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and will deliver 3,000 new homes over the next 20 years, along with new schools and community facilities.

As well as the new homes, the next phase of the development will also include two new sections of primary streets extending the strategic road network through the site. This will include a new roundabout on Mill Lane, to give access to the new homes to the East and connect the new area with the wider Wichelstowe development and surrounding road network.

Wichelstowe project director Daniel Pavely said: "Despite the incredible challenges of the past year, it has been fantastic to see the life of this new community begin, with hundreds of people now living at Canalside. So we are delighted to have been granted permission to get on with the next phase of work here. As well as building hundreds more much-needed new homes for Swindon, this next work will see exciting new ecological enhancements too - with new wildlife habitats and open green spaces being created."