Development with new flats given go-ahead

The proposed development will build on land that is currently empty

New flats are set to be built as part of a development on the edge of Swindon after developers were given planning permission.

A consortium of two house builders and Swindon Borough Council received permission to build on an empty plot in the centre of Wichelstowe.

The plans, known as Canalside East and Canalside West, are set to include apartments, a health centre, a community centre, a gym and cafe.

The scheme is the latest in a series of developments in the area since 2006. More than 4,000 houses and flats will be eventually built in the area.

The development includes a village square, which is being referred to as the Meeting Place

The Canalside East project, situated on the land to the south of the Waitrose supermarket, is the smaller of the two developments and is intended to include a four-storey block of 14 flats, along with a gym and a cafe building.

The two developers involved, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, said the block's "facade will have integrated lighting", which "will help promote the night-time uses of the area".

More substantial development

Across the pedestrian bridge lies Canalside West, which is intended to be a more substantial development.

It is due to feature a larger block of apartments alongside Peglars Way, a health centre, pharmacy, community centre and space for offices.

There will also be another building, including four units, which could be developed with retail or restaurant uses with 12 apartments above.

The central square leading from the bridge, referred to by the developers as the Meeting Place, is described as "the heart of the development".

As well as the main square, smaller patches of land around the buildings on either side of the canal will be designated as "pocket open spaces", with paving and seating.

The application says: "The planters and paving design has been developed to evoke medieval field and furrow landscape, which can be found nearby.

"The intention is to make the design of the space unique to Wichelstowe."