PLANNING proposals for the next stage of the Wichelstowe development have received a mixed reaction from nearby residents.

The plans went on display for the first time yesterday at Wroughton Library as part of a three-part council exhibition of the draft design.

Two design consultancies, one of which is delivering the Olympic Park in London, have created a proposal for the remainder of the development to have four separate areas – the market garden, formal garden, natural garden and water garden.

Geoffrey Hamilton, a retired local government officer of Wroughton, was looking at the plans.

He said: “I am pleased to see the concept of having greenery in the development. I have been critical of the present development which has parking blocks within each block and it takes away what could have been gardens for the houses.

“On the face of it these proposals are a more attractive form of the development than the present one.”

Each area will have a distinct and unique character, with the natural environment blended with the buildings and homes.

“I very much dislike the present style of the Wichelstowe development. It should flow more with the contours of the landscape,” said Geoffrey.

“It is nice to see the open spaces with the waterways of course. The feature with the canal is attractive.”

The feedback from the exhibitions will be used to refine the codes before they are submitted for planning approval.

Design codes are necessary to co-ordinate the schemes that will be built by various developers across the remaining West and Middle Wichel areas, and control the quality of the building work.

Also at the exhibition was Frances Knight, a retired teacher from Wroughton.

She said: “It looks as though they are trying to develop it as well as they possibly can.The developers need to make a good fist at making a community and putting in the things that people want to have near them.”

The new codes will also be on the agenda of the council’s south locality residents’ meeting on March 20 at Ridgeway School.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for sustainability, strategic planning and transport, said: “The ideas fit completely with our ambition to make Wichelstowe a nationally-recognised quality development which will be a really pleasant place to live. The consultation events are very important and we hope that as many people as possible come along and give their views.”

The plans will be on display at East Wichel Primary School tomorrow between 3.45pm and 7.30pm and at Swindon Arts Centre, on Thursday between noon and 7.30pm.