HALF of the houses in a new development being built on the site of a former South Marston hotel are now complete.

Five years after the popular 60-bed hotel closed down - and four since the a large fire gutted the derelict complex - the Old Vicarage Lane area now looks completely different.

Bellway is working on 70 new homes for the Vicarage Gardens development, with 65 being private and the other five designated as affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.

The housebuilder has completed construction work on 30 private properties at the site, and 24 of these are now occupied - the first new homeowner moved in last November.

The development launched to the public in February 2020 and work is due to come to an end in spring 2022.

Bellway is providing £600,000 in funding for local services as part of the planning agreement for the development.

This includes contributions towards primary education, facilities for outdoor sports, allotments, bus services and the enhancement of the Nightingale Wood wildlife site.

Bellway South West sales manager Christel Hawkins said: "Vicarage Gardens has generated a sustained level of interest ever since construction work got underway, and so far 45 of the 65 private homes have now been sold.

"The site is well-known locally due to its previous use, it benefits from an attractive village location and offers a wide selection of different house sizes and designs."

The former hotel that once stood on that spot was a popular venue for weddings and conferences, and its leisure facilities were used by many people in the area.

It was closed in July 2016 to the surprise and disappointment of staff, many of whom had worked at the site for a number of years. Some 45 jobs were lost as a result.

On the night of July 28 2017, fire ripped through the building and crews from the Westlea and Swindon fire stations spent hours battling the blaze.

The damage proved so severe that any hope of renovation went up in smoke.

Bellway's housing development with a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties hopes to give the site a new lease of life.

Among the homes available at the development is The Vicarage, a four-bedroom detached property which costs £767,500 and has been designed in the style of the old vicarage building which previously stood on the site.

Christel added: “While reflecting the architectural character of its predecessor, The Vicarage also features a high- quality specification and modern interiors, with a contemporary open-plan kitchen and family area, separate living room, dining room and study.”