Wichelstowe

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Wichelstowe
AerialWichelstowe.jpg
Aerial view
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Postcode district SN
Dialling code 01793
Police Wiltshire
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
Website www.wichelstowe.co.uk
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire

Wichelstowe is a residential development and urban extension on the southern edge of the town of Swindon in South West England, constructed from late 2006. Located north of the M4 motorway between junction 16 and Croft Road, [1] Wichelstowe has three neighbourhoods: East, Middle and West Wichel. The development will comprise up to 4500 homes, employment space, public open space, shopping, community facilities for residents and various schools. [2] In 2014 it was described as the country's largest housing project on public-owned land. [3]

Contents

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". [4]

Before the Wichelstowe development was built, the area was commonly known as the 'front garden' of Swindon since it was a stretch of open land which separated the town from the motorway.

In 1995, the first proposals for the site were put forward for consideration by Wiltshire County Council as structure planning authority. The following year, the first public proposal for the site considered a comprehensive development to help meet Swindon's housing needs up to 2011. [5]

In 2001, the Front Garden 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. [6] An extensive programme of public consultation was undertaken on the proposals by Taylor Woodrow and an outline planning application was submitted in 2002. Infrastructure works commenced on site in 2006. The first home occupations in East Wichel took place in 2009. [5]

East Wichel under development in May 2010 East Wichel Way, Wichelstowe, Swindon (geograph 1873153).jpg
East Wichel under development in May 2010
East Wichel Way, May 2010 East Wichel Way, Wichelstowe, Swindon - geograph.org.uk - 1872858.jpg
East Wichel Way, May 2010
Waitrose, Middle Wichel WaitroseSwindon.jpg
Waitrose, Middle Wichel
East Wichel, June 2009 New houses in Wichelstowe (3), Swindon - geograph.org.uk - 1362048.jpg
East Wichel, June 2009
Canalside, January 2021 Chaddington Strand, Middle Wichel.jpg
Canalside, January 2021
Shops at East Wichel, February 2021 East Wichel Shops, Swindon.jpg
Shops at East Wichel, February 2021

Development

Wichelstowe began as a collaboration between Swindon Borough Council and Taylor Wimpey to jointly provide and finance infrastructure. In early 2009, this agreement was reshaped into a co-operation agreement; both parties operated independently but in a mutually supportive way to develop the site. The entire Wichelstowe development was due to be completed by 2020, but this was delayed by the financial crisis of 2008.

East Wichel

East Wichel, the eastern quarter, was largely built by Taylor Wimpey who operated independently with support from Swindon Borough Council. Construction started in 2008, and the development was completed in 2014.

Middle Wichel

Middle Wichel is the central part of Wichelstowe. A restored section of the Wilts & Berks Canal runs through the development. Construction started in 2013, and currently still ongoing.

West Wichel

West Wichel is planned to be a mostly residential area, but it is also set to contain a small area for shops, employment land, another primary school and a park & ride. Work commenced on the first sections of West Wichel in 2022. The area for the development is adjacent to the hamlet of South Leaze.

Governance

East Wichel is part of Central Swindon South civil parish, [10] and the first tier of local government is South Swindon Parish Council. Middle and West Wichel are part of Wroughton civil parish, and the first tier of local government is Wroughton Parish Council. [11]

The local authority is Swindon Borough Council, a unitary authority. Wichelstowe forms part of the council's South Locality, alongside Old Town, Wroughton, Chiseldon and Lawn, and Ridgeway wards. [12]

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References

  1. "Wichelstowe". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. "Welcome to Wichelstowe". wichelstowe.co.uk. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  3. Benke, Mike (8 July 2014). "A £130m boost for region". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  4. "Wichelstowe In Focus". www.wichelstowe.co.uk. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Chronology". wichelstowe.co.uk. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. "The Front Garden fight will continue". Gazette & Herald. 26 November 2001. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  7. "East Wichel Primary School in Swindon opens its doors". BBC News: Wiltshire. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. "The Bayberry pub scheduled to open on 14 May 2012". East Wichel News. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. "Swindon Waitrose". Waitrose. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  10. "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  11. "Parish Map". Wroughton Parish Council. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. "South Locality". Swindon Borough Council. Swindon Borough Council. Retrieved 14 July 2014.

51°32′36″N1°48′27″W / 51.54333°N 1.80750°W / 51.54333; -1.80750