Solihull-based Terra has submitted a hybrid planning application for a total of 248 new homes across a 19.7 Ha (49-acre) land parcel to the east of Swindon, which forms part of the New Eastern Villages (NEV) allocation. The 248 homes will be specified to the highest EPC rating of A.

The Outline application lodged with Swindon Borough Council is for 128 one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes. Terra’s sister business – multi-award-winning housebuilder Hayfield – has lodged the Full application utilising its unique house designs, which is for 120 dwellings of the same housing mix. The elevation design and architectural detailing has been informed by the Redlands Village Design Code. Hayfield is currently constructing the final phase of 70 premium homes in nearby Broad Blunsdon, where all the plots sold out well ahead of the build programme.

The 19.7 Ha site – which lies north of Redlands Farm – forms part of the wider context of the NEV Local Plan allocation for 8,000 homes, 40 Ha of employment space, a secondary school, and primary schools, together with health, retail and leisure facilities, across a total area of 724 Ha. Significant new transport infrastructure is also planned as part of the NEV strategic development, with the Southern Connector Road under construction to establish a new 1.5-mile-long link to the existing Commonhead Roundabout and Pack Hill.

Jordan Langdon-Bates, Land and Development Director for Terra said: “Having secured this opportunity only 12 months ago, we are pleased to have worked so well with Swindon Borough Council and all stakeholders to reach the major milestone this hybrid planning application presents. Our development proposal is primed to deliver exceptional new homes within this vast new community, and they will be the only homes across the New Eastern Villages allocation to meet the highest EPC rating of A.

“Hayfield has already established a reputation in the Swindon area, with Hayfield Wood in Broad Blunsdon being one of the most popular new developments in the Borough. The plans for this site follow similar exemplary principles, with 60% of the site being dedicated to Public Open Space. We look forward to continuing to work with the Council’s Officers, stakeholders, consultees, and local people, as the Full and Outline applications are considered.”

In 2021, Terra agreed terms to secure the land with two national charities and a private landowner with Carter Jonas acting as agents. The site is within the south eastern area of the NEV, known as Redlands Village. In addition to the proposed 248 new eco-focused dwellings, the plans also incorporate extensive new planting and biodiversity features, a Locally Equipped Area of Play, and strategic pedestrian and cycle routes – to connect with the new community and beyond. A safeguarded corridor to allow for the future delivery of the Wilts and Berks canal has also been proposed, along with a bridge to create a connection to the northern parcel of development and the rest of the site.

The North Wessex Downs AONB is located approximately 1.5miles south of the site, on the southern side of large village of Wanborough. The proposed scheme is around five miles from Swindon Train Station, which provides regular services to London Paddington in under an hour.

Richard Pitt, Strategic Planning Director for Terra added: “We are very excited by the ambition for Swindon New Eastern Villages and our comprehensive plans for this prime site reflect this. Wiltshire is already a hugely popular place to live, work and explore, and a scheme of this scale and calibre can genuinely push the boundaries in terms of design, specification, and green credentials.”

The masterplan for Terra’s Swindon New Eastern Villages scheme has been designed by Pegasus Group, with specialist advice provided by Savills, Futures Ecology, Aspect Ecology, MHP Arboriculture, Orion Heritage, Abley Letchford Partnership, Systra, Abbey Consultants, Delta Simons, M:EC and IDOM.

Terra is an experienced land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process.

Terra has a national reach, having recently secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Terra currently controls 21 sites, with circa 830 acres of residential land that is capable of delivering 4,300 new homes.