A PLANNING application which could lead to the creation on 2,000 jobs in East Swindon has been approved.

It is the first planning application relating to the Eastern Villages Development and was given the green light at Tuesday’s meeting of Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee.

It relates to land just off the A420, opposite Gablecross Police Station, and is for about 40 hectares of employment land.

The exact details of what will go on the site will be determined in subsequent applications but it is thought the land would be ideal for distribution companies.

Based on areas of land for similar types of use, it is thought several thousand jobs could be created when it is at full capacity, as well as up to £80 million of investment in the town.

Concerns were raised at the meeting that there is already a large amount of empty industrial space in the town and it was suggested perhaps this should be used first.

However, planning officers argued the existing empty units were not in use because there was a lack of demand and other uses would need to be found.

The Local Plan is set to be formally adopted later this month which will identify the main house-building projects in the town over the next decade.

Among areas identified is land to the east of the A419, where 8,000 houses, as well as employment land, will be built.

This application is the first in relation to the Eastern Villages but has had to go through a number of alterations to ensure it delivered suitable road alterations as it is close to the major White Hart junction.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member responsible for the Local Plan, said: “The first planning application for the Eastern Villages has been approved with cross party support, and was focused on jobs, rather than new houses.

“Swindon Council played hard ball with the developers because this decision sets the tone for future negotiations and it is crucial we get it right.

“The 2,000 jobs that this site will create is important for the town, but any developer in East Swindon must pay their fair share towards improving our roads.

“More than £3.5m can be added to the £40m pot we received from Government for dualling the A420 near Gablecross, rebuilding the White Hart roundabout and creating the Southern Relief Road from A420 to Commonhead, so traffic doesn’t cut through Wanborough or Covingham.”

The Local Plan will go before the Cabinet next Wednesday before going to full council on March 26 for full approval.