11% of the first tranche of housing built with Barratt Developments will be affordable

Canal View - Swindon

Planning has been granted to the first phase of a 3,000-homes scheme to be built jointly by Barratt Developments and a housebuilding company created by Swindon borough council.

The council gave the green-light to the first tranche of 208 homes to be built by the partnership at Wichelstowe, south of Swindon.

Of these homes, 11% will be affordable, while of the overall 3,000 units due to be built on the 250ha site a maximum of 15% will be affordable.

Work will start within weeks on building one, two, three and four-bedroom houses on the site next to the Wilts & Berks Canal.

The overall scheme will be built over the next 20 years and will include two primary schools, a seconmdary school and open space.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon borough council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, said the planning nod for the development showed the effectiveness of public and private sectors working together.

“Full planning approval marks a significant step forward for the development at Wichelstowe and enables work on the first phase to get underway and provide much needed housing in the borough,” he added.