Swindon residents given six weeks to comment on 20-year growth plan
A consultation on how the town could develop up to 2043 has opened, covering new homes, roads and green spaces
People, businesses and community groups in Swindon are being asked for their views on a draft plan setting out how the town could grow over the next 20 years.
The six-week consultation on the draft Swindon Local Plan 2043 will run until 5th November 2026.
It is the final opportunity for people to comment before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
The draft plan sets out how Swindon could meet future housing needs while supporting jobs, investment, transport connections and community infrastructure.
It outlines how Swindon Borough Council intends to meet the Government's housing target of 1,203 homes per year.
It also sets out how growth would be supported by improvements to roads, schools, healthcare, utilities and green spaces.
A Transport Impact Assessment is currently being carried out with National Highways to assess the effect of future development on the road network and identify ways to reduce any impact, including improvements to road capacity and support for more sustainable travel.
An Infrastructure Delivery Plan is also being developed with partners including the NHS and local schools, to help ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
The plan was approved by the council's Cabinet on 1st July.
A number of changes have been made to the plan following feedback from earlier consultation stages.
These include improving the clarity of policies, strengthening protections for the natural environment, identifying a supply of deliverable housing sites and carrying out further assessment of housing densities in some areas.
Councillor Gary Sumner, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: "the Local Plan is about much more than where development happens."
"It sets out our vision for how Swindon can grow over the next two decades in a way that benefits residents, businesses and future generations.
"Swindon has always been a place that embraces opportunity, adapts and thrives.
"As our Borough continues to grow, we want to ensure we have the right plan in place to deliver the homes local families need, attract investment, create skilled jobs, support regeneration and provide the infrastructure communities expect," he said.
"Residents are right to expect development that is well designed, in the right locations and supported by roads, schools, healthcare and green spaces.
"This Plan provides a framework to help achieve that, while protecting the character of our communities and the natural environment.
"We've listened carefully to the feedback received during previous consultation stages and have made a number of changes to strengthen the Plan."
This stage of the process, known as the Regulation 19 Publication Stage, is intended to gather comments on whether the emerging plan is legally compliant and "sound" as defined by the National Planning Policy Framework 2024.
This means the plan must be positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
Cllr Sumner said the consultation was "an important opportunity for anyone with an interest in Swindon's future to review the documents and have their say before the Plan is independently examined."
"The decisions we make now will help shape every part of the Borough for years to come," he said.
"I would encourage residents, businesses, community groups and partners to get involved and help us ensure the Plan is ambitious, realistic and deliverable."
The Regulation 19 Publication Local Plan, along with supporting evidence and associated documents, is available to view on Swindon Borough Council's website, where people can also submit feedback through the consultation.
Hard copies are also available at council-operated libraries and at the Civic Reception of the Council Offices.