Council revises plans for Wichelstowe road development

A public consultation has begun into revised road plans for one of Swindon's major housing developments.

In 2005, it was planned for 4,500 homes to be built at Wichelstowe, but so far only 800 have been finished.

Swindon Borough Council has blamed the economic downturn and wants to delay building roads in the area until 2,500 homes have been built.

The authority said changing it from the original target of 1,100 homes will save £30m.

Councillor Mike Bawden said the changes in the Wichelstowe masterplan reflect the economic slowdown since 2005.

"Every scheme throughout the country has had a reduction in infrastructure to get the books to balance," he said.

Other changes in the masterplan include provision for an increase in the number of trees, hedges and landscaping across the site, and the re-alignment of a proposed link road which will offer better access to the planned shopping centre.

The consultation will run for three weeks until 13 September at various public exhibitions around the town.