SNG and Vistry mark the start of Lotmead development in Swindon

A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction work at a new village on the edge of Swindon of 2,500 homes.

Senior figures from developer Vistry Group, SNG (Sovereign Network Group) and Swindon Borough Council gathered to formally place the first spade in the ground at Lotmead on 23rd August.

This joint venture development between SNG and Vistry has been planned to include a community centre, two primary schools, sports facilities and green space on a 417-acre site to the east of Wanborough Road.

Lotmead forms part of the wider New Eastern Villages project which is set to create around 8,000 new homes alongside a range of new employment, health, retail, education and leisure facilities.

Vistry will build 214 homes in the first phase of Lotmead, known as King George Park, on a 39-acre area of land in the south-western part of the wider site. This will include 153 homes for private sale through Vistry’s Bovis Homes brand and 61 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership through SNG.

Properties will include a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses and eight one-bedroom apartments. The first homes are due to be completed by summer 2025.

The ceremony was attended by Swindon Borough Council Leader Jim Robbins, and the council’s Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy and Sustainability James Coulstock. Also in attendance were James Gibson, development director at SNG, and a delegation from the senior management team of Vistry Cotswolds led by regional managing director Supriya Ray.

James Gibson, Regional Managing Director West at SNG, said: “This site is a positive step towards delivering our ambitious plans for tens of thousands of good, affordable, new homes that are much needed. I’m delighted that our joint venture with Vistry will form a vital part of the delivery of this vision in the Swindon area.

“To maximise our impact, we’re always looking to work with partners like Vistry that share our vision of building high quality, sustainable neighbourhoods with the range of supporting facilities and infrastructure that will form a thriving community over generations at Lotmead.”

Supriya Ray, Regional Managing Director of Vistry Cotswolds, said: “The New Eastern Villages scheme is one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in the UK. This exciting development will not only help to address the country’s housing shortage but also assist Swindon Borough Council’s aspirations to kick start economic growth in the town and wider region.

“Lotmead is one of the first villages to be brought forward within the wider scheme and will therefore have an integral role to play in the formation of this new community. We are proud to be working in partnership with SNG and the council to deliver the new homes and infrastructure which will create a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood where people will want to live.

“Our involvement in this massively important project reflects our partnerships-led approach and further underlines Vistry’s position as the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes.”

As part of the planning agreement for the development, Vistry is to invest around £60 million in local services and infrastructure. This will include contributions towards primary and secondary education, healthcare, road improvements, allotments, sports pitches and a pavilion, two equipped play areas and cycle paths.