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Swindon Borough Council Planning Committee’s decision to approve a detailed design code for East Wichel has been warmly welcomed by the developers and their project team.
The detailed design codes, prepared by John Simpson & Partners on behalf of Taylor Woodrow and Swindon Borough Council (Property), will set the overall quality and character of new housing, public space and community buildings in part of the Wichelstowe development.
It paves the way for housing developers to submit detailed planning applications for the first new homes in East Wichel, close to the new site entrance on Croft Road.
Architect John Simpson said: “The extensive public consultation last year showed what people want to see in the new Wichelstowe development. These include: quality open space; streets that are not dominated by the car; an architectural style that reflects the character of the area; and good public transport, footpaths and cycleways.
“I believe we have managed to achieve this and I am confident that East Wichel will be a development of which the whole of Swindon can be proud.”
The first new homes are expected to be available in the autumn of 2007.
Draft design codes for the Middle and West Wichel parts of the development will be submitted later this year.
The purpose of a design code is to set a high standard of urban design within the new development; provide certainty to developers, the local authority, stakeholders and potential residents as to the quality and character of the development; and provide a set of clear design instructions to both the local authority and potential housebuilders to ensure speedier delivery of the planning process.
The design codes set the design of the public realm, fixing the design, shape and layout of the blocks, streets, squares and lanes that form the new settlement.
The developers, builders and their individual architects are given maximum flexibility within their sites in how they design their buildings to conform to the Codes.
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