Househunters who might be in the market for for new houses planned for Blunsdon would do well to like birds. Swifts in particular.

Plans have been lodged to build an estate of 80 new homes off Turnpike Road, right next door to the well-known and very well-used Cold Harbour junction with the A419.

But conservationists have already suggested that they be built with special bricks in order to help breeding swifts nest.

Developers Hollins Strategic Land has applied for planning permission to construct the estate of private housing on a rhombus of green field immediately to the south of the Cold Harbour pub just west of the overpass of the B4019 to Highworth, wrapping around the handful of existing houses facing the street.

The application put forward accepts that developing the land would fall outside one of the council’s planning policies as the area is outside Swindon’s urban boundaries, but it says the application should be granted because the plans go towards addressing the borough’s housing shortfall, adding: “The site is a logical and sustainable location for residential development.”

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The plans submitted show all the houses – mainly detached – for sale on the open market, with 24 houses, or 30 per cent to be offered for “affordable” rent, are accessed by one single road. It enters the site of Turnpike Road at the northern end of the site, nearest to the Cold Harbour pub and heads ears before turning south, forming a loose T shape.

Wrapping around the eastern and southern edges of the site is an area of open green space then fringed with trees.

The application says: “The primary access into the site will take vehicles and pedestrians through a green corridor into the centre of the site. Trees along the green corridor will set a distinctive and attractive gateway into the development.

“Properties will be oriented to create a positive frontage towards the streets and spaces with a clear distinction between public and private realm. Corner turning properties and windows in side elevations help to provide active frontages and create visual interest

“Play areas are to be designed as an integral part of the open spaces with natural play equipment that strengthens the character of the place.”

Jonathan Barlow of the Wiltshire Swifts group says 30 special bricks costing about £30 each should be used to create nest sites for the birds: “Swifts are uniquely dependent on the built environment for nest sites. With extensive renovation of older buildings, and new buildswhich create a totally sealed space, swifts can no longer access nooks and crannies in walls or voids under the eaves of buildings.

"They are faithful to their site and return to the same location their only salvation is for us to provide large numbers of swift bricks in new builds.”