Old Town & East Wichel Councillor, Nadine Watts, has welcomed a new planning application submitted by Taylor Wimpey in the last few weeks to bring new shops and food outlets to East Wichel.
Old Town & East Wichel Councillor, Nadine Watts, has welcomed a new planning application submitted by Taylor Wimpey in the last few weeks to bring new shops and food outlets to East Wichel.
Taylor Wimpey submitted the planning application for the area between East Wichel school and East Wichel Way, including up to five shops or offices. This new planning application also seeks to change to the East Wichel Design Code linked to the application.
Compared to the previous planning application submitted for retail shops in East Wichel, there is one less shop/office building, seven fewer dwellings and the exclusion of a tower as part of the development. Taylor Wimpey claim that a convenience store operator has been identified for the main shop.
The new planning application is due to be determined by October.
Councillor Nadine Watts said: “I welcome this new planning application being submitted which will hopefully speed up the process of East Wichel having its own shops and food outlets.
Having a convenience store and other retail outlets in the Wichelstowe area has been a top priority for residents living in the area who currently have to travel much further than other Swindon residents to get essential household items.
The removal of the four-story tower, which was part of the original application, is also welcomed as I know that a number of residents living close to the site were concerned about this.
This new development does mean there will be a reduction in retail floorspace compared to the previous application, however if this means residents have access to a convenience store sooner, then I think it is a worthwhile change.
If East Wichel residents have any views on this application, I would encourage them to contact me and I will feed them in to the Council’s planning department.”