Thames Tap partner Savills has supported land specialist Terra and housebuilder Hayfield to submit a hybrid planning application for a significant new development  near Swindon.

The proposals include up to 248 new homes at a 19.7-hectare site within the New Eastern Villages (NEV) allocation to be built to high design standards and the highest energy performance standards (EPC A).

The site forms part of the wider NEV Local Plan allocation for 8,000 homes, 40 hectares of employment space, a secondary school, primary schools and health, retail and leisure facilities, across a total area of 724-hectares. Significant new transport infrastructure is also planned for the NEV.

The site is within the south eastern area of the NEV, known as Redlands Village. In addition to the proposed 248 new eco-focused homes, the plans also incorporate extensive planting and biodiversity features, a play area and strategic pedestrian and cycle routes.

A safeguarded corridor to allow for the future delivery of the Wilts and Berks Canal has also been proposed, along with a bridge to create a connection to the northern parcel of the development and the rest of the site.

Jordan Langdon-Bates, land and development director for Terra, said: “Having secured this opportunity only 12 months ago, we are pleased to have worked so well with Swindon Borough Council and all stakeholders to reach the major milestone this hybrid planning application presents.

“Our development proposal is primed to deliver exceptional new homes within this vast new community, and they will be the only homes across the New Eastern Villages allocation to meet the highest EPC rating of A.”

Richard Pitt, strategic planning director for Terra, said: “We are very excited by the ambition for Swindon New Eastern Villages and our comprehensive plans for this prime site reflect this.

“Wiltshire is already a hugely popular place to live, work and explore and a scheme of this scale and calibre can genuinely push the boundaries in terms of design, specification, and green credentials.”

Savills planning team in Oxford worked with Terra and Hayfield to prepare the planning application, with support from the EIA team in Wimborne.

Nev Surtees, from the Savills planning team, said: “This is an exciting and ambitious scheme that is set to energise the delivery of the New Eastern Villages allocation and make an important contribution to Swindon by addressing its housing land supply shortfall.

“Its sustainability and design credentials are of a particularly high standard and will set the bar for further development in the area.”

The outline element of the application lodged with Swindon Borough Council is for 128 one, two, three, and four-bedroom homes. Terra’s sister business – housebuilder Hayfield – is responsible for delivering the detailed element of the application for 120 homes of the same mix, using its unique designs.

The elevation design and architectural detailing has been based on the Redlands Village Design Code.

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