Work has started on a new housing development near Swindon.

Cala Homes unveiled The Orchards housing estate in Purton, which is the first site that the homebuilder has launched in the UK.

Located off Restrop Road, The Orchards development will feature 47 homes for sale, with a collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes available in the first phase across eight different house types, including detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings, as well as maisonettes and bungalows, with 40 per cent affordable housing provision.

The housing will be built by a team led by award-winning site manager Brian Griffin, who last year won the NHBC Pride in the Job Regional awards for the South East in recognition of achieving the highest standards in housebuilding.

The 3.56-hectare site is located just south of the recently completed 38-dwelling Persimmon development.

Outline planning permission for this development was granted in July 2022 and the full application was approved in January 2024.

Homes at The Orchards will feature air-source heat pumps, which are an efficient alternative to traditional gas-powered boilers.

The high specification also includes underfloor heating, electric vehicle charging points, Bosch integrated kitchen appliances and Amtico flooring.

Neil Simpson from Cala Homes (Cotswolds) said: “Demand for The Orchards has already been so high that we decided to release the homes off-plan earlier than anticipated.

“Whilst we are getting ready for a showhome launch this autumn, prospective buyers are now able to arrange a dedicated appointment where they will have access to a 3D interactive screen to allow digital representations of available homes and street-level views so they can buy off-plan with confidence.

“All homes have close access to walking routes and some plots even have views of the gorgeous Wiltshire countryside, so this is the perfect home for purchasers looking for a stunning village-style community for semi-rural living.

“The Orchards is set to be a thriving community of its own and with only 47 homes in the first phase, I’d advise all buyers interested to get in touch to explore how we can make their move to The Orchards a reality.”

The development is located within walking distance of Purton High Street and just over six miles from Swindon.

Prices for the first released homes by Cala at Purton start from £470,000 for three-bedroom homes and £760,000 for four-bedroom homes with a separate study.