The centre of the huge Wichelstowe expansion development will feature community buildings either side of the canal running through the centre of the new village being built on the south western edge of Swindon.

Plans have been submitted for the as-yet empty centre of the village, filling in the blank spaces near the Waitrose supermarket, the pub restaurant and the two schools already in operation.

On a triangular patch of land south of the Waitrose supermarket, officially named Canalside East, a four-storey block of 14 flats is proposed alongside a gym and café building, clad in wooden slats, facing the Hall & Woodhouse pub just a few yards across the waterway.

The design statement submitted by a consortium of Swindon Borough Council Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, says of the building: “The facade will have integrated lighting. This responds to its designation as a ‘key corner’ in the design code and will help promote the night time uses of the area.

“The Hall & Woodhouse pub on the opposite side of the canal is well-lit in the evening providing active frontage near the bridge. The gym and cafe will provide the same on the east side of the bridge, as well as acting as a ‘gatepost’ along the main pedestrian access into the new square."

A short walk across the pedestrian bridge is the site of Canalside West. A much larger development than the one planned on the west side of the canal, it features a larger block of apartments alongside Peglars Way, a health centre, pharmacy, community centre and space for offices.

There will be another building including four units which could be developed with retail or restaurant uses with 12 apartments above.

And at the heart of it all will be the village square, which the consortium is calling the Meeting Place, playing on the old meaning of the name Stowe.

The application says: “The central square or ‘Meeting Place’ forms the heart of the development.

“The term ‘Meeting Place’ is derived from the old English word ‘Stowe’.

“The existing square is primarily used for passage between the schools to the west and east side of the canal. The new square will be an extension of the space, with the intent of providing different activities and events.

“The square has been developed with the principle of providing a space for people to meet and gather. Gathering will take place in the form of markets and events throughout the year. The space has been designed to facilitate these functions, by providing a central open space that can accommodate vehicles as well as service functions like power and water.”

As well as the main square, smaller patches of land around the buildings on either side of the canal will be designated as ‘pocket open spaces’, with paving and seating to encourage people to linger.

The application says: “The planters and paving design has been developed to evoke medieval field and furrow landscape which can be found nearby.

“The intention is to make the design of the space unique to Wichelstowe.

“The central square will also provide urban greening and promote biodiversity through planting. The canal provides a habitat for a community of insects, plants, birds and smaller mammals. I

“It is a well-established principle that connecting urban landscapes with nature provides well-being benefits.”

The developments on the west side are likely to take longer, but the plans have been submitted to meet the deadlines in the original permission for the entire Wichelstowe site and to make sure the uses of the land are legal.

More than 4,000 houses and flats will be eventually built in the village.