Work is well underway on the first properties in The Orchards and Wichel Fields areas of Wichelstowe and planning permission is now being sought to expand both areas and provide additional homes within the central Canalside area.
Four detailed applications outlining plans for 616 proposed new homes at Wichelstowe will be submitted to Swindon Borough Council over the next month.
The four planning applications include:
The Orchards – Parcels 7 and 9
These Parcels will include 365 homes with Parcel 9 being sold by Barratt Homes and Parcel 7 by David Wilson Homes and will be continuation of the Parcels currently in the early stages of construction. The Parcels will be located either side of Scott Way which will eventually join to the new road passing under the M4.
One of the most exciting features of The Orchards will be the Green Streets which run east/west across the housing development providing a footpath connecting the green spaces to the west and the central green corridor. The Green Streets will include tree planting, rain gardens a central square which will include an equipped play area for younger residents. Properties will be constructed in distinct architecture such as reconstituted stone material to contrast with surrounding red brick homes.
There will be a full mix of homes in The Orchards ranging from one bed apartments to impressive five bedroom homes that overlook the green spaces.
Wichel Fields – Parcel 8
Homes at Wichel Fields are now beginning to appear above the hoardings and the first residents have already reserved new properties. The 138 homes in Parcel 8 will continue construction in this area, building up to Foxham Way.
This application also includes the next phase of homes built directly alongside the canal. These townhouses will be constructed in a variety of materials creating a transition from the more varied style in East Wichel. The footpath network will be extended with connections made down to the canal towpath and links into the Wichel Wood path. The extension of the canal itself will be the subject of a separate planning application later this year.
Canalside – Parcel 10
Parcel 10 will continue the Canalside character with a higher proportion of apartments and buff coloured brick. This Parcel is located to the south of the Wichelstowe Trinity Learning Campus and will include 113 homes as well as the car park which will serve the wider District Centre. Homes to the west of the Parcel will transition to more contemporary two storey homes adjoining the central green corridor through the Wichelstowe site.
The development will feature more than 400 street trees as well as new planting and footpaths within the green spaces surrounding the properties, improving habitats and providing new routes for residents to enjoy. It will also include bat boxes and over 600 swift bricks so wildlife can continue to call Wichelstowe home. New ponds will be created which create important habitats for newts and toads as well as providing sustainable drainage solutions for the built areas.
Dan Pavely, project director at Wichelstowe, said: “The development at Wichelstowe has already made a significant contribution to address the demand for new, quality housing in Swindon. I look forward to this new phase coming to fruition and taking my first walk along the Green Street.”
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. The 250-hectare site on the southern edge of Swindon will include extensive open spaces, nature conservation areas, playing pitches and allotments.
Subject to planning permission, work on the next phase of the Wichelstowe development is expected to start in 2023.
To find out more about the proposals, short videos will be uploaded to the Wichelstowe News YouTube channel and plans will also be available to review and comment via the Swindon Borough Council planning portal. The information relating to the Parcel 9 is already available.
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