Wichelstowe

Wichelstowe

Wichelstowe Site
Unitary authorityBorough of Swindon
Ceremonial countyWiltshire
RegionSouth West
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode district SN
Dialling code 01793
Police Wiltshire
Fire Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
WebsiteWichelstowe
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire

Wichelstowe is a new planned residential development and urban extension for the southern area of Swindon in South West England.[1] Located North of the M4 motorway between junction 16 and Croft Road,[2] Wichelstowe includes three neighbourhoods: East, Middle and West Wichel. The neighbourhood will make up to 4500 homes, employment space, public open space, shopping, community facilities for residents and various schools.[3] It is the largest housing project from public owned land in the country.[4]

History

The medieval history of the site is reflected in the name; Wichel is the original name of the area as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and Stowe is an Old English word meaning meeting place.[5]

In 1995 the first proposals for the site were put forward for consideration by Wiltshire County Council as structure planning authority. A year later, 1996, the first public proposal for the site considered a comprehensive development to help meet Swindon's housing needs up to 2011.[6]

In 2001 Front Action Group (FRAG) and Bloor Homes launched an unsuccessful High Court Challenge against the Structure Plan and the green light was effectively given for Wichelstowe to go ahead. An extensive programme of public consultation was undertaken on the proposals by Taylor Woodrow and an outline planning application submitted in 2002. Infrastructure works commenced on site in 2006. The first home occupations in East Wichel took place in 2009.[6]

East Wichel Homes

Development

Wichelstowe began as a development being undertaken as a collaboration between Swindon Borough Council and Taylor Wimpey to jointly provide and finance infrastructure. This agreement was re-shaped in the early part of 2009 into a new co-operation agreement. Both parties now operate independently but in a mutually supportive way to develop the site. Taylor Wimpey continues with its responsibility to develop East Wichel, with Swindon Borough Council responsible for Middle and West Wichel.[7]

The Wichelstowe community is still under construction with West and Middle Wichel yet to be built. A road which runs from near Pipers Way up to Redposts Drive opened fully in January 2012; the section from Croft Road is named Black Horse Way, the middle section Foxham Way, and the section connecting to Redposts Drive, Peglars Way.[8]

East Wichel

East Wichel, the eastern quarter, is owned by Taylor Wimpey who operate independently with support from Swindon Borough Council.[7] 830 homes are due for completion in this area of the development, all development is anticipated to be finished by 2016.[9]

Middle and West Wichel

All development land in this area is currently owned by Swindon Borough Council. The council will form an equal joint venture partnership with a successful bidder for the residential development of 3600 homes, 12 hectares of employment land and a new District Centre, once bidder is chosen in 2014.[9]

Facilities

Current facilities consist of East Wichel Community Primary School, Jessica's Hair and Beauty Salon, a Marston's pub/restaurant and a Waitrose foodstore.[14]

Governance

The local authority is Swindon Borough Council. Wichelstowe forms part of Swindon Borough Council's South Locality, also including Old Town, Wroughton, Chiseldon and Lawn, and Ridgeway Wards.[15] Wichelstowe forms part of Wroughton Parish Council.[16]

Press

2014

Waitrose, situated in Middle Wichel, opened its doors to the public in April 2014 after a 20-year wait for the right location to set up in Swindon. The store could provide an estimated 230 jobs to the area.[17]
A proportion of the population of water voles on site have been rehomed in the River Meon in Hampshire. It is anticipated that once canal side works are finished, existing water voles will recolonise the stretch of canal meaning no long-term impact on Swindon.[18]

2013

Revisions to the original Wichelstowe plans were made by Swindon Borough Council; plans to retain an increased number of hedgerows, mature trees and landscape contours. Re-alignment of proposed Croft Road/Hay Lane link road to bring more vitality to the planned District Centre and reduce traffic headed to Wroughton. Change to the trigger point for certain infrastructure and an emphasis on walkable neighbourhoods; ensuring facilities can be reached on foot from all directions. The commitment to large areas of green public open space is retained.[19][20]

2011

1 kilometre of newly restored or new canal was completed in East Wichel, one of the longest sections of canal built anywhere in England in recent years.[21] The project has already received a commendation in the Partnership category and runner up in Masterplanning in the Waterways Renaissance Awards.[22] The canal is expected to be extended by a further 3 kilometres as work in West and Middle Wichel continues.[23] A partnership has been helping to restore the canal, including Wiltshire Council, Swindon Council, the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust and Arup and BAM Nuttall, which has built the waterway.[22]
Before the opening of the new roads there were complaints about Swindon Borough Council leaving lights on whilst the site was uninhabitated whilst saving money by switching off lights on other main roads in Swindon.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "The Stoweaway". Stoweaway. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Wichelstowe". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Introduction to Wichelstowe". Wichelstowe. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Benke, Mike. "A £130m boost for region". Swindon Advertiser (Swindon Advertiser). Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Why Wichelstowe?". Link wichelstowe website. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Wichelstowe Chronology". Swindon Borough Council. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Wichelstowe Background". Wichelstowe Website. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "New Roads Now Open". Wichelstowe Website. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Wichelstowe Joint Venture". Wichelstowe Joint Venture. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Proposal". Wichelstowe Joint Ventures. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Whats Happening Now?". Wichelstowe. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "East Wichel Primary School in Swindon opens its doors". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Bayberry Due To Open". East Wichel News. East Wichel News. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Swindon Waitrose". Waitrose. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "South Locality". Swindon Borough Council. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "Wroughton Parish Council". Swindon Borough Council. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  17. ↑ Cross, Beren (10 April 2014). "Waitrose opens its doors to shoppers in Wichelstowe". Swindon Advertiser (Swindon Advertiser). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Swindon water voles to be released in Hampshire river". British Broadcasting Company BBC (British Broadcasting Company BBC). 25 April 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "Revised Wichelstowe Plans". Swindon Borough Council. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  20. ↑ Lidiard, Emma. "Have your say on Wichelstowe plans". Thisiswiltshire.co.uk. This is Wiltshire. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "What's Happening Now". Wichelstowe Website. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  22. 1 2 Bond, Katie (2 June 2011). "Canalside homes at Wichelstowe in Swindon go on show". Swindon Advertiser (Swindon Advertiser). Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Waterside Living comes to Swindon with homes in New Canal Village". Wilts and Berks Canal Trust. Wilts and Berks Canal Trust. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Empty Wichelstowe housing plots lit by taxpayers". Link Magazine. 1 November 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012.

Coordinates: 51°32′36″N 1°48′27″W / 51.54333°N 1.80750°W / 51.54333; -1.80750

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, October 17, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.