WHEN residents started moving into the first Wichelstowe homes they were promised a variety of community facilities – but three years on they are still waiting.

More than 400 homes in East Wichel are now completed and occupied and East Wichel Primary School opened its doors in September – but residents are yet to see the shop, play area and community centre or local pub open.

Kirsty Long, 21, who has lived in the development for two years, said it is the shop that she really needs.

“When I moved in they said the shops would be open six months later,” she said. “I love living here, my kids have amazing friends and an amazing school, but I don’t drive and I have to go all the way to Old Town. It is costing me a fortune.

“There is nothing for the kids to do either, it’s a nightmare. They should concentrate on the people that are here instead of building more houses.”

It is expected that the total number of homes occupied will rise to nearly 500 by the end of the year.

Plans for a stand-alone community centre at East Wichel are being developed and Marston’s is to build a new pub restaurant there next year But Amber McCabe, 21, who has lived in the area for three years, said: “There is nothing here at all apart from houses.

“We were told we would have a park, which we haven’t had.

“There is nowhere for my daughter to go apart from out the front to play.”

The council has completed a new cycle and footbridge linking Wichelstowe to West Swindon, a canal and the core road infrastructure.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are determined to make Wichelstowe an exemplary development and a really great place to live, and we would argue that even now, it is a lot better than many new housing developments.

“No-one’s happy about the pace of development, but it’s entirely down to the economic downturn. Much has been delivered already, including a school, a canal, footbridges, cycleways and bus services.

“Not all of the infrastructure is down to the council to provide – some is the responsibility of the developer.”

A spokesman developer Taylor Wimpey said: “Taylor Wimpey is continuing to work with the council to complete its development at East Wichelstowe.

“Planning consent for the local centre has been granted and we anticipate its development, including the retail units, to commence in the first half of next year.

“A pub operator has entered into an agreement with Taylor Wimpey and groundworks for this facility have already begun.

“The play area is the responsibility of Swindon Council.”