RESIDENTS in Rodbourne are being asked to steer the direction of planning for two prominent sites in their ward before developers get their hands on them.

Last week, at a Swindon Council North Central Locality meeting, residents were invited to view an exhibition on preliminary suggestions for development drawn up by planning consultants Turley.

There were several visions for where the market might steer building at the former allotment site between Great Western Way and Barnfield Close, and where Even Swindon Primary School used to stand in Hughes Street.

In each of the three visions for the former school, residential units are included in some form, predominantly as terraced housing in keeping with existing accommodation.

In addition to this, Turley has suggested designs for a community-use building fronting Rodbourne Road, or a new food store to complement existing retail provision.

Peter Lawson, a director at Turley, said: “We are trying to look at a range of uses that could be acceptable and add to the community.

“We feel a food retailer could add something to the existing offer in Rodbourne. It would be an additional food store within walking distance and it creates local jobs.”

The prospect of a doctors’ surgery at what would be a community-use building received wide backing from residents, but Coun Kev Small (Lab, Mannington & Western) said this was unlikely.

“You have to look at where the doctors are currently in terms of Park Lane Practice, where the doctors own that,” he said.

“They would be reluctant to relocate from a premises they own in the area. GP relocation isn’t straightforward.

“They would have to secure funding from NHS England if they were to relocate.”

The councillor, who lives in Rodbourne himself, said the retail sector currently had more money than the housing industry, and residential property on the former school site was not a foregone conclusion.

In past meetings amongst ward councillors, Coun Small said a pub, non-food retail, fast-food and high-rise flats had all been blocked as suggestions.

The prospect of a residential development at the overgrown allotment site has all but been ruled out by Turley because of noise and pollution.

Among the vast options put forward for the Barnfield Close site, there is retail, restaurant, drive-thru, community, hotel or showroom uses.

The prospect of a petrol station and an extension of the industrial estate across the road have been ruled out already.

The feedback offered by residents is to inform the future development brief for each site and is separate from any statutory planning consultation.

Development briefs are generally adopted by local authorities as supplementary planning guidance, which a planning committee will take into account when it considers a formal planning application.

Thoughts on the plans must be submitted to Swindon Council before September 30. E-mail ksherratt@swindon.gov.uk or telephone 01793 463515 for more information.

Mr Lawson said the development brief would be taken to planning committee in December with a view to getting it approved.

The sites will then be marketed in the New Year, and by Easter it is likely the council will know which firms have expressed an interest.