{"id":647587,"date":"2026-06-19T18:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T18:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/647587\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T18:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T18:16:10","slug":"plans-for-700-swindon-homes-on-golf-course-scrapped-suddenly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/647587\/","title":{"rendered":"Plans for 700 Swindon homes on golf course scrapped suddenly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n  Last year, the then Labour-run local authority decided to press ahead with an option that would see around 700 homes built on the former sporting facility off Swindon Road which has rewilded since closing in 2019.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  The future of the site was due to be discussed further at a Cabinet meeting was on July 1, but a borough council spokesperson explained that it will now be brought forward at a later date.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  The item was originally included in the council\u2019s Forward Plan earlier this year, but following the recent local elections, the new Conservative-led administration wishes to explore all options for the site.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  A further report on the future use of the old golf course will be presented to Cabinet in due course.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  The Swindon Conservatives suggested that the option for 700 homes was now off the table entirely.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  A spokesperson for the political group said: \u201cWe\u2019ve listened to Highworth and acted decisively.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cWe can confirm that Highworth Golf Course will not be allocated for large-scale housing in the Local Plan.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cAt the last election we were clear. We opposed Labour\u2019s outrageous plans for 700 homes on this site and today we\u2019ve made good on that commitment.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cWe now want to work with Highworth residents, local campaigners, and town councillors to shape a better future for the site: Protecting and enhancing green space, and delivering on the promise of a country park.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cThis is about getting the balance right: Protecting what matters to local people, delivering real benefits for the community, and working together on a plan shaped by Highworth voices.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cWe\u2019ll continue to engage with residents to keep this conversation going.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  Councillor Matty Courtliff, the Council\u2019s Cabinet Member for Housing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk\/news\/property\/?ref=au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Property<\/a>, said the council will take time to work collaboratively with the local community to consider viable options for the site.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  He added: \u201cWe recognise the importance of the former Highworth golf course to the local community and this administration is committed to listening to our residents.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cWe will take the time to consider the options for the site, including how it aligns with the administration\u2019s priorities for green spaces.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cWe are committed to meaningfully engaging with local residents, Highworth Town Council and local groups, including the Save Highworth Golf Course campaign group, to help inform future proposals.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  \u201cThis approach will help ensure that any future plans for the site are taken forward with input from those who live in and care about Highworth.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last year, the then Labour-run local authority decided to press ahead with an option that would see around&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":647588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[5904,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-647587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-golf","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=647587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/647588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=647587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=647587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=647587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}