A vital planning blueprint that will shape Swindon’s expansion over the next 11 years – and protect sensitive areas from unwelcome development – is set to be formally adopted by the council after passing an independent test.
The Government’s Planning Inspectorate has ruled that the Local Plan is ‘sound’ and legally compliant.
The plan outlines where new houses and employment sites should be located, what infrastructure is required to support it, and helps protect land from potentially unwelcome speculative planning applications from developers.
It includes the proposals for the 8,000-home Eastern Villages development – the next phase of Swindon’s expansion – and growth around South Marston. It also assesses future growth in the borough and demonstrates how infrastructure such as transport will support it.
However, as with previous local plans, some critics have voiced concerns that not enough land has been set aside for future developments that will bring in much-needed investment and jobs to the town.
The Inspectorate’s verdict came after a three week Examination in Public of the plan at the town’s STEAM museum last year which heard from interested parties on a wide variety of issues and tested the council’s evidence.
The Local Plan will be considered by the council’s cabinet next month, and then by all councillors at a meeting of the full council shortly afterwards.
Swindon Borough Council Cabinet member for strategic planning and sustainability Cllr Dale Heenan said: “This is excellent news for Swindon and shows that the hard work and effort of everyone involved in putting the plan together has been worth it.
“The Planning Inspector’s 96-page report considered ten key issues for the town that the Local Plan needed to address. For instance, we needed to show that our approach to new housing and employment sites was sound, that the roads and infrastructure needed for the plan to work was justified and deliverable, and there was a clear framework for protecting and enhancing our green spaces. Every test has been passed.
“The Local Plan is the planning bible for the town that will make sure the council fully controls development and is not at the mercy of developers. Tough new rules will be in place to protect against inappropriate development and tackle issues like flooding, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure like roads and schools will be implemented while encouraging the new jobs needed for a growing Swindon.”
Swindon Borough Council’s previous Local Plan was formally adopted in 2006 but was becoming increasingly out of date, leaving gaps through which developers could gain planning permission to build in areas where the council would not have encouraged it.
The replacement Local Plan has been through several drafts and rounds of public consultation, and has also had to adapt to changing national planning policy and guidance.
Pictured: Regent Street in Swindon town centre. Photo courtesy of Forward Swindon
