Controversial housing scheme near Swindon gets green light for more properties
Wroughton residents are concerned about traffic
A REVAMP of a housing development in an isolated village has been approved despite continuing opposition from neighbours.
Developer Stonewater Ltd, based in Leicestershire, has bought a plot of land in Langton Park south of Wroughton, which already has planning permission for the construction of 18 flats and houses.
That proposal by housing company SEPA was turned down twice by Swindon Borough Council but granted on appeal to the central government planning inspector.
Now Stonewater’s new proposals for the square of land to the east of an old electricity substation has been approved by planning officers.
The plans show seven pairs of semi-detached houses and a small block of 4 flats. There will be four two-bed houses, 10 three-bed houses and 4 one-bed flats. One of the two-bed houses and all of the flats would be classified as affordable.
Stonewater said its plan is a “great improvement” on the approved plan which shows a road cutting through the site: “The roads dominate the site with a small area of public open space.”
The new plan has an access from one corner and a larger open space which the developer said: “is of equal importance to reflect the green nature of the surrounding neighbourhood while providing an attractive focal point.”
'A real safety concern'
The concerns of neighbours focused on the amount of traffic the new development would bring to the village which is accessible mainly by the steep and narrow Priors Hill out of Wroughton.
One resident Mr J Barkham told planning officers: “The new proposed access road is a real safety concern and is exiting on a blind bend and is unsuitable for large volumes of traffic.
“The existing estate roads are in a terrible condition, adding further traffic to the roads will only make this worse.”
Mary Litchfield wrote: “This development, in addition to the previous approved one will add at least 48 extra cars driving through the roads of Langton and Thorney Park, but more importantly up and down Priors Hill. To add 40 plus cars to the traffic volume of this narrow road, especially at times when many people are going to and from work and school is hard to imagine.
She added: “This is designated AONB. This is the second recent proposed development in this area, and I am concerned that once developments are allowed, it opens the flood gates to more building and even more traffic.”
'The site is genuinely well located to minimise travel'
The planning officers’ report reflected the concerns about access which saw the previous proposals turned down: “It is difficult to argue that the site is genuinely well located to minimise travel and would maximise the use of sustainable transport modes.”
But with the site already having approval for the same number of houses and flats, approval was recommended and given.