THE name of Swindon's controversial Front Garden development is set to be unveiled this week.

The development, expected to include 4,500 homes, got the Government green light in August last year.

The decision was made despite a hard-fought campaign against the project by the Front Garden Action Group (FGAG).

Officially known as the Southern Development Area, the site will be split into three different suburbs.

The names of the three areas will be unveiled by developer Taylor Woodrow on Wednesday, but early indications are they will be South Leaze, West Leaze and Westlecott.

In August last year, government planning inspector David Fenton's report said: "I fully support the allocation of the Southern Development Area."

He also gave the thumbs-up to plans for a £4m tunnel to link Croft Road, in Old Town, to Hay Lane, south of junction 16.

The Front Garden Action Group bitterly opposed the development of the 307-hectare site between Old Town and the M4.

Developers say that the £1bn scheme will include 4,500 new houses and new business areas and create about 5,000 jobs.

Under a deal with the council, £40,000 will be earmarked for improved public facilities in Swindon and Wroughton.

It could include contributions for two primary schools, a secondary school, a community centre, library, all-weather sports pitch, sports centre and allotments.

Public transport could also be improved with new bus routes.

The whole project is likely to take 13 years to complete.

Work was expected to start in October but as the full report is not due until November, work is not likely to begin this year.

FGAG chairman Terry King said the group had no problem with the names but were still opposed to the development.

He said West Leaze and South Leaze were appropriate but there was already a village called Westlecott.

He said East Leaze would be a better name.

"We're not happy about the development but we haven't got too many problems with the names," he said.

He did not expect building to begin until next year.