AN OUTLINE planning application for up to 350 new homes, primary school, recreation area and small convenience store has been submitted for land at Abbey Farm.

The proposal earmarks land at Lady Lane, Blunsdon St Andrew and was the subject of a community consultation last July.

Since then, the plans, submitted by DPDS Consulting Gorup have been amended.
The application has been prepared and submitted on behalf of the landowners.

DPDS Group Managing Director, Les Durrant, said: “The planning application follows discussions with Swindon Council and a public exhibition during July 2013, which has helped us in refining and improving our application proposals. 

"Consultation with Swindon Council has confirmed the need and aspiration for a site to build an additional primary school to serve North Swindon.  Although the Abbey Farm scheme is not of sufficient population in itself to warrant provision of a school, the modified application proposals include a suitable site that is being made available to serve both the proposed Abbey Farm development and surrounding communities.

“Abbey Farm is being bought forward as a smaller scale urban extension which we believe can be developed into a residential neighbourhood of outstanding quality.  As well as the provision of land suitable for a primary school, our development proposals for Abbey Farm would create 350 well designed, attractive homes that are laid out to create a distinctive, high quality residential neighbourhood with a ‘garden suburb’ character. 

"A small, centrally located local  shop will provide convenience shopping for new residents.”

The application also provides for up to 30 per cent of the new housing to be affordable homes.
The planning application will be subject to a period of consultation by Swindon Council before the application is determined.

The proposals will be available for viewing on Swindon Council’s website reference number S/OUT/14/0080.