12 flats approved at former Co-op on Wroughton High Street despite parking objection

Swindon24 reported on Wednesday 27 May 2026 that the conversion of the vacant former Co-op supermarket on Wroughton High Street had been approved by Swindon Borough Council. Planning officers signed off the decision on Friday 22 May 2026 under delegated powers, so it did not go before councillors on the planning committee.

The approved scheme turns the building into 12 flats and keeps two retail units on the ground floor.

Why did the parish council object?

Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council said the scheme was nine parking spaces short of the minimum requirement and could add to congestion on the High Street. According to the report, the borough council's own highways officer had recommended refusal, and residents had raised parking concerns at a parish council meeting earlier in May.

Councillor Holly Woodward, who chairs the parish council's planning committee, said she was "really disappointed" and added: "it's no good approving plans that could exacerbate the car parking problems on the High Street."

What happened next?

The parish council said it would not appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, and it did not expect the chair of the borough's planning committee to step in. Deputy clerk Thomas Haworth was also quoted in the report.

Swindo's planning pages list current applications by area.

Source: Swindon24.

More from Swindo: Planning applications in Swindon.