The future shape of Swindon has been revealed.

After months of drafts, consultations and in some cases, petitions and protests Swindon Borough Council has published its big land use plan, known as the SHELAA.

The plan sets out which areas of land across the borough the council thinks might be suitable for development, either as housing or for employment use.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this SHELAA process as it will play an important role in shaping our draft Local Plan in the summer.

“We listened to what local residents had to say and removed those sites where we felt potential development would have an adverse impact on green open spaces, green corridors and the AONB.

“Even though sites have been identified as part of the SHELAA, it does not mean the Council will grant planning permission for development on those sites as other planning and environmental policy considerations will also be taken into account.”

One of the bigger protests was by Toothill residents who wanted land off Bodiam Drive removed from the assessment - it, and another patch of land across Great Western Way have been removed.

Campaigner Kayleigh Maher said: "It's great if it has been removed and that means it won't be built on. But there are other plans and we want to make sure it's not put on the commercial housing list."

Wanborough villagers will also be pleased to see that that four large sections between the village and the A419, including the site of a proposal by Wasdell Group to build a new science park development has been rejected from inclusion in the assessment,.

In Old Town land at the bank at the junction of Newport Road and Marlborough Street is allocated as suitable for development, as is land either side of Little London bound by Church Road, including the Advertiser's old reel store, where a plan for flats has already been approved.

The updated list and maps can be viewed at swindon.gov.uk/shelaa.

Green areas show land deemed suitable for development, yellow areas are land where development might be possible, and red areas are where land has been rejected.