The look of scores of houses to be built on the edge of Swindon as part of the New Eastern Villages expansion of the town has been set out. 

Developers Vistry Cotswolds and Taylor Wimpey already have planning permission to build up to 2,300 houses as part of the expansion of South Marston in the north of the whole NEV-designated area.  

The zone stretches from the existing village in the north down the length of the border with the former Honda plant to the railway line just north of the A420 and extends east as far as the River Cole. 

As part of the conditions of the permission, the developers have to come up with agreed design codes for the different neighbourhoods in the wider development. 

Now the developer has submitted its design guide for the Fairthorne and Thornhill neighbourhoods for houses to be constructed near the Grade II-listed Manor Farmhouse 

The codes designate two types of houses in the area: those surrounding and facing the listed farmhouse are called key space frontages. 

Houses facing the boundaries of the site, and in particular the Oxleaze Farm Community Woodlands are called Green Edge frontages. 

(Image: Vistry Cotswolds and Taylor Wimpey) Houses in the ‘Key Space frontage’ will be built with a “formal character with consistent setbacks and roof profile parallel to the street, and active frontage onto the open space and play areas 

They will be: “Two-storey dwellings to respect the setting around Manor Farm House with corner units to have double aspects 

Houses will have their own private derives for parking rather than parking on the street or small designated car parks. will be accessed via private drives.  

Visitor parking spaces will be alternated with street trees and greenery on one side of the streets and junctions with pedestrian footpaths will be signed to give priority to those on foot. 

There will be a “limited palette of material of primarily multi-red and reconstituted stone, conforming with existing dwellings next to Manor Farmhouse.” 

Houses in the Green Edge frontage will be built with an “organic building line and varied setbacks to create an informal, rural feel building.  

“Building height is to be predominantly two storeys with occasional variation to 2.5 storeys. 

There will be: “Incidental tree and planting to create soft edge” and builders will “avoid streets running around prominent corners.

“Large openings facing onto the open space are encouraged. Existing hedgerow to be retain when possible to create enclosure. 

The code says: “The Green Edge frontage is a suitable location for the use of materials and architectural features inspired by rural farmsteads, with variation in material choice from one dwelling to another across the frontage.  

“Weatherboarding to be introduced to enrich the appearance of buildings at key corners.” 

The design code encourages the development to be as inclusive as possible. 

It says: “The site is relatively flat, and road gradients will therefore ensure ease of use for all members of the community.  

“All on-street footways as well as routes to school from each parcel of development will be accessible to wheelchairs and buggies, well-connected, overlooked and well-lit by street lighting. 

It adds: “Affordable housing should be located in small clusters up to 15 units strong throughout the site and designed to be undistinguishable from the market housing.  

“All the open spaces are well overlooked by adjacent dwellings with no isolated corners. The central green space provides a safe and accessible natural space where different groups can gather, play and relax.” 

A decision on the code expected in late December. 

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