Swindon’s local plan consultation opens

Residents, businesses and community groups are being encouraged to have their say on a draft local plan that will help shape how Swindon grows and develops over the next 20 years.

The draft Swindon Local Plan 2043, approved by cabinet on 1 July, sets out the council’s vision for delivering the homes, jobs, infrastructure and investment needed to support thriving communities across the Borough, while protecting the places people value most.

The six-week consultation period opened yesterday, and runs until 5 November 2026, providing the final opportunity for people to comment before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Setting out a long-term framework for growth, the plan identifies how Swindon can meet future housing needs while supporting economic prosperity, attracting investment, improving transport connections and ensuring communities have access to the infrastructure they need.

The plan prioritises high-quality, sustainable development and outlines how the council intends to meet the Government’s housing target of 1,203 homes per year.

It also aims to ensure growth is accompanied by improvements to roads, schools, healthcare, utilities, green spaces and other community facilities.

Following feedback received during earlier consultation stages, a number of changes have been made to the emerging plan.

These include improving the clarity of policies, strengthening protections for the natural environment, identifying a sufficient supply of deliverable housing sites and undertaking further assessment of housing densities in some areas.

The plan also recognises the importance of ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth. A Transport Impact Assessment is currently being undertaken with National Highways to assess the impact of future development on the road network and identify measures to mitigate any effects, including improvements to road capacity and support for more sustainable travel options.

Alongside this, an Infrastructure Delivery Plan is being developed with key partners, including the NHS and local schools, to help ensure the infrastructure needed to support future growth is properly planned and delivered.

Comments

Cllr Gary Sumner, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The Local Plan is about much more than where development happens. It sets out our vision for how Swindon can grow over the next two decades in a way that benefits residents, businesses and future generations.

“Swindon has always been a place that embraces opportunity, adapts and thrives. As our Borough continues to grow, we want to ensure we have the right plan in place to deliver the homes local families need, attract investment, create skilled jobs, support regeneration and provide the infrastructure communities expect.

“Residents are right to expect development that is well designed, in the right locations and supported by roads, schools, healthcare and green spaces. This Plan provides a framework to help achieve that, while protecting the character of our communities and the natural environment”.