Model showing an avenue in the South Leaze neighbourhood

Swindon Southern Development Area (SDA) borders Swindon Old Town on land that runs up to the M4 motorway.  It is a relatively flat site which includes a scheduled ancient monument, various areas of archaeological interest and a length of restored canal.

John Simpson and Partners, as Masterplanners for Taylor Woodrow Homes, local land-owners and the Borough Council, have designed a masterplan that creates a sustainable development which will help to meet Swindon's current housing needs.  The local plan identifies the site as suitable for over 4500 new houses and some 15 hectares of commercial use.

The scheme features a range of sustainable transport proposals, at the heart of which are three new high quality bus routes that tie in the SDA with the surrounding areas of Swindon and with the Town Centre. There are also a series of direct footpaths and cycleways linking the main elements of the scheme with the main public transport nodes.

A key part of the masterplan has been to provide a sustainable development that minimises reliance on the motor car and promotes energy efficient and ecologically friendly systems.