New homes will be built in Swindon

The proposal will see 1,552 homes built on the edge of Swindon

A new housing estate with more than 1,500 homes will be built on the edge of Swindon.

Developers Persimmon Homes and Primegate Properties Kingsdown wants to build homes, a primary school and an access bridge over the A419.

Swindon Borough Council's planning committee gave the green light to the outline proposal on 12 December.

Persimmon said the scheme will bring "job opportunities" and "significant infrastructure".

The development will be built on land stretching between Blunsdon and Kingsdown and the A419, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The proposal also includes a village centre for shops, sports facilities and open green spaces.

During the council meeting on Tuesday night, councillors and Blunsdon Parish Council raised fears about the impact of such a large development on traffic.

They said Blunsdon is already suffering significant congestion.

Persimmon said the scheme will bring "job opportunities" and "significant infrastructure".

Councillor Vijay Manro, spoke as a ward member for Blunsdon & Highworth.

He said: "The Cold Harbour roundabout is already congested. I think we should challenge the developer and say we need a reduction in congestion."

But Paul Boileau, the project manager for the developers, told councillors that the road improvements to be part of the conditions of the development were already needed but would not happen otherwise.

Mr Boileau added that all the new homes in Kingsdown would be carbon neutral, and the scheme would bring much-needed affordable homes to the area and the wider borough.