New homes up for national award as firm prepares to build another 500

New homes overlooking the Wilts and Berks Canal on Swindon’s landmark Wichelstowe development have been shortlisted for a national award for their design.

The three-storey Wichel Stray homes at Canalside, Wichelstowe, have been singled out by judges for the National Housebuilder Awards for their stunning visual appearance, excellence in design and high level of sustainability.

The news comes as works begins on the just under 500 homes at the development, after Swindon Borough Council released the land to housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.

The 250-hectare development will provide 3,000 homes, new schools, and community facilities over the next 20 years.

Homes will range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family homes.

A new £26m underpass is currently being constructed underneath the nearby M4 motorway which will create a new access route into the major new development.

On the award shortlisting, Louise Ware, sales director at David Wilson Homes’ South West division, said: “We’re so excited to be in the running for such a major, national award – which is a real credit to the team who designed these stylish, spacious, contemporary homes specifically for the Wichelstowe site to really celebrate and make the most of the stunning canal-side location, and offer highly sustainable homes for generations to come.”

The competition winners will be announced in November.

On work starting on the next phase of the development, Wichelstowe project director Daniel Pavely said: “With the community really taking shape here at Canalside, Wichelstowe, we’re really excited to be able to start work on the next phase of this landmark development.

“We’ll be building a wide range of high quality, contemporary new homes in a variety of sizes and styles helping to encourage a balanced, mixed community.

“As well as starting on the main road connections, we’re really looking forward to developing the open space, conservation areas and protections and enhancements for wildlife.”