DEMAND for homes at the Tadpole Gardens development in North Swindon has soared – with almost every house under construction being snapped up straight away.

Work on the development started last year and while exact figures cannot be obtained, it is believed up to 150 have already been taken, despite some being above the average market price.

And the high demand is not just in North Swindon, but right across the town with one estate agent saying there are 10 potential buyers for every home.

Formerly known as Tadpole Farm, there was some opposition to the 1,700-home development when it was first proposed. But the rate the properties are being sold at is being seen as a sign of a buoyant market in Swindon.

Crest Nicholson and David Wilson Homes are the main companies building on the site while Green Square has a number of cheaper homes available for shared ownership and affordable rent.

All have said demand has been high with prospective buyers flocking to the show homes.

A spokeswoman for David Wilson said: “Swindon has always been good for David Wilson Homes with local buyers keen to stay in the area and also London commuters wanting the best value for money. Ease of getting into London has really boosted Swindon generally.

“This particular development has sold as soon as homes are released with buyers particularly keen on the garden village-style development and the open space both in terms of house design and the outside areas.”

Tim Ridges, senior sales manager at Crest Nicholson South West, said 35 per cent of the phase one development had already gone.

He said: “Tadpole Garden Village is a truly exceptional development and is proving immensely popular with local homebuyers.”

Green Square has a small portfolio within the project but interest is just as strong.

Rodger Shipway, GreenSquare’s marketing and sales manager, said: “We have nine homes available for shared ownership in this first phase and are really pleased to have had lots of interest, with four reservations already.”

Councillor Toby Elliott (Con, Priory Vale), the cabinet member for strategic planning, believes one of the reason people are so interested in the development is because it has been well planned with a communal area and school, with residents paying a fee to a management company to keep the area tidy.

He said: “For many years Swindon businesses and residents have called for a higher standard of housing and this predicted demand is already borne out in the homes that have been sold at Tadpole Farm.

"It shows what can be achieved by negotiating with developers at any early stage – including securing funding for schools and community facilities in the community.”

Elsewhere in the town, haart estate agents is seeing strong demand for property, which has led to prices rising.

Latest figures from its monthly property index show there is strong demand for homes in the town, with show an average of ten buyers for each property on the books of its Commercial Road branch leading to a 6.11 per cent house price rise to £154,000 over the last quarter.

Swindon haart branch manager David Sheridan said: “Demand is already high in the area and we already have lots of buyers registered with the branch looking for their dream home.

“As we have buyers ready and waiting we are able to secure the best possible prices for our sellers.”