Developer Gleeson Land has submitted an environmental impact assessment screening opinion to planners at Swindon Borough Council – with regards to possibly building 520 houses on the old Twelve Oaks Golf Course site on Lechlade Road on the northern outskirts of Highworth.
Such an application, which is essentially asking planners whether an environmental impact report needs to be included in any planning application, is very often a precursor to a full proposal being lodged.
Although this is not the planning application, Gleeson Land does include some details of what it is planning.
It says: “The proposal is a residential-led mixed-use development delivering new homes within a network of high-quality green spaces, including:
“Up to 520 dwellings of varying sizes, types, and tenures, including affordable housing;
“A local community and retail facility centrally located within the development, with ease of access from the A361.
“This facility would incorporate a mobility hub to prioritise active travel, including cycle parking, maintenance facilities, and electric vehicle charging points;
“Provision of publicly accessible open space, including formal parks, natural greenspace, play provision, and ecological enhancement areas.”
It adds: “Residential development would be concentrated in defined parcels arranged around retained woodland copses, tree groups, and landscape corridors.
A website giving some details of the proposals highworthconsultation.co.uk, includes a masterplan which shows the rectangular site would be accessed from the A361 Lechlade Road.
It would be encircled by existing and new greenery with a central spine of woodland and lakes, and a wetland.
It says: “The proposed layout has been shaped around a series of connected green spaces, ensuring easy access to nature, recreation and active travel for residents and the wider community.”
It adds: “Built development would be arranged to create clear streets, character areas and green spaces, with homes overlooking parks and landscape corridors to promote safety and activity.”