PLANS to build 273 homes on the site of the former Hreod Parkway School in Swindon were given the go-ahead by councillors last night.

Barratt Homes applied to redevelop the site, in Akers Way, Moredon, and build 35 flats and 188 houses for private sale and 15 flats and 35 houses for affordable rent.

The company submitted an application in 2007 to build 273 homes on the site but when the housing market collapsed they were put on hold.

For the last year it has been in negotiations with Swindon Council to change the amount affordable housing and money it would provide for things like education and public realm improvements in the area.

The percentage of affordable homes was reduced from 30 per cent to 18 per cent and it also promised to contribute £1 million towards education, £100,000 towards road improvements and £100,000 towards public realm improvements.

It also plans to create an area of landscaped open space with a ‘kick about’ area and an enclosed playground.

Coun Stephanie Exell praised the new plans.

She said: “This site is in the centre of Moredon where a great deal of regeneration has taken place.

“Barratt have worked with planning officers for over a year and made a great deal of effort to adopt a design that meets the high standard required.

“They purchased this site in different times and now circumstances have changed for all those in house building.

“I would have liked to have seen more affordable housing because there is always a need.

“However Moredon already has a sizeable area of social housing.”

But Coun Steve Allsopp had concerns over the amount of affordable housing being provided.

He said: “We need to remember that the ratio [of affordable housing developers are asked to provide] hasn’t come out of thin air.

“If this is the trend of things to come then we are going to face some very difficult choices indeed.”

Planning officers assured councillors that their decision would not set a precedent for other developers to provide fewer affordable homes.