Funding for road to unlock 4,150-home Swindon development

A proposed 4,150-home development in Swindon has cleared a major hurdle after Homes England and the Department for Transport agreed to fund construction of a road and junction.

The £30.5m scheme will see construction of a new access road, called the Southern Connector Scheme, which is seen as vital for part of the New Eastern Villages scheme outside Swindon to progress.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said the Department for Transport had agreed £11.6m in funding for the road scheme while Homes England will contribute £18.9m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The full New Eastern Villages scheme (pictured left), which is being promoted by developer Capital Land and Property Group, should see the building of 8,650 homes to the east of the Wiltshire town.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, said: “The southern connector road is an essential part of the infrastructure required to deliver the New Eastern Villages and I’m extremely pleased that we have managed to secure complete funding from the Department for Transport and Homes England for this really important link road.

We are investing £72.5 million into the road network around the New Eastern Villages, most of which has been secured from government. This investment in Swindon’s future is a great vote of confidence for our town.

Baroness Vere said: “Our funding towards this new road scheme will help make the New Eastern Villages site a reality, providing a huge boost to Swindon’s economy by supporting thousands of new homes and jobs.”