Cabinet approves land transfer for 616 more homes at Wichelstowe

The next phase of Wichelstowe, on the southern edge of Swindon, moved forward on Thursday 8 October 2026 when the council's Cabinet agreed to transfer the land for it. The council announced the decision the next day.

What will be built?

The phase is for 616 homes, from one-bedroom flats to five-bedroom detached houses. Of those, 94 will be shared ownership or affordable rent through an affordable housing provider.

It completes three neighbourhoods:

• Canalside and Wichel Fields, in Middle Wichel
• The Orchards, in West Wichel

The council said the homes will be timber framed, with solar panels and an electric car charging point each. The phase also includes hundreds of swift bricks, bat boxes, hedgehog highways and street trees.

Roads, canal and paths

The phase finishes the main road network, including Wichel Way, which links the site from east to west. The canal will be extended, with a connection under Mill Lane, and open spaces will get new footpaths and a longer boardwalk heading south.

What happens next?

The decision also starts design work on the final phase, called The Meadows. Wichelstowe is being built by the council with Barratt Homes Bristol and David Wilson Redrow South West, and will have 3,000 homes on a 250-hectare site when finished.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: "I am really pleased my Cabinet colleagues agreed to authorise the transfer of land".

More from Swindo: Wichelstowe neighbourhood guide.

Source: Swindon Borough Council.