The Swindon Principal Urban Area Study is a key part of the Structure Plan Review to 2016 and will help influence the growth of Swindon over the long term. Swindon Principal Urban Area (PUA) is among 11 PUAs identified in the South West Region. The 11 PUAs are among the larger settlements in the region, strategically located and benefiting from good transport links and access to a wide range of services and facilities. PUAs are considered to offer the best opportunity for accommodating growth in a sustainable way.   

One of the main issues considered by the PUA study was the future growth of Swindon. The Swindon Principal Urban Area Study looked at the capacity of the urban area of Swindon for future development and also examined options for future expansion of the town. Choices relating to whether growth should be accommodated in the form of an urban extension or expansion of the surrounding settlements were considered not only for growth within the plan period to 2016 but also looking beyond it. The PUA study examined the technical aspects of growth such as the impact on transport and the environment of the various options.

In the light of both the Structure Plan deposit consultation and the PUA study the area to the east of Swindon (the Eastern Development Area), bounded to the north by the A420 and to the west by the A419 has been identified to accommodate growth not only within the plan period, but also as a first phase of a longer term direction of growth after 2016. The Eastern Development Area is considered the most sustainable option for large-scale greenfield development of the town to 2016 and beyond. In addition to dwellings, the area could accommodate appropriate associated development, including employment, retail and community facilities such as schools, health centres, places of worship and open spaces. The area benefits from close proximity to the existing urban areas and an ability to link in with existing infrastructure and community facilities.

The outcome of the Swindon PUA Study is reflected in Policies 10A, 10B and 10C of the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan 2016 Deposit Draft Alterations. This plan has been subject to an Examination in Public from which the panels report is anticipated in Autumn 2004.

Downloadable files

The Swindon Principal Urban Area Study is available as a downloadable PDF file :

Swindon Principal Urban Area Study 2003  (1069KB)

If you would like to purchase a copy of this document please send a cheque, made payable to Wiltshire County Council, to Mrs Helen Croker, Strategic & Countryside Policy Group, Environmental Services Department, Wiltshire County Council, County Hall, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8JD.

The Maps contained within the Swindon Principal Urban Area Study are also available as JPEG files :

MAP 1 PUA Education Facilities (433KB)

MAP 2 PUA Health Facilities  (411KB)

MAP 3 PUA Leisure Facilities  (474KB)

MAP 4 PUA Community Facilities  (419KB)

MAP 5 PUA Access to Employment  (437KB)

MAP 6 PUA Rural Buffers  (494KB)

MAP 7 PUA Transport Network  (513KB)

MAP 8 PUA Kingsdown Blunsdon  (457KB)

MAP 9 PUA South Marston  (430KB)

MAP 10 PUA Eastern  (323KB)

MAP 11 PUA Coate  (380KB)

MAP 12 PUA Wroughton  (390KB)

MAP 13 PUA Wootton Bassett  (452KB)

MAP 14 PUA Purton and the Lydiards  (478KB)

MAP 15 PUA River Ray  (443KB)

MAP 16 PUA Utilities  (507KB)

MAP 17 PUA Bus Gateways  (487KB)

MAP 18 Strategic Development Proposals  (295KB)

MAP 19 PUA Retail Facilities  (369KB)

The Swindon PUA Study (Background Paper) Transport Assessment can be downloaded below as a series of pdf files.

Executive Summary  260204  (Text)  (1250KB)

Executive Summary  260204  (Map)  (793KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Summary  (84KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Appendices  (1216KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 1  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 2  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 3  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 4  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 5  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 6  (676KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 7  (677KB)

Site Appraisal Report (final) 250204 - Map 8  (676KB)

Transport Assessment TA1 Policy Review  (117KB)

Transport Assessment TA2 Growth Scenario Characteristics and Trip Generation  (31KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment (Text)  (71KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 1  (799KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 2  (320KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 3  (319KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 4  (308KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 5  (318KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 6  (304KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 7  (319KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 8  (318KB)

Transport Assessment TA3 Quantitative Assessment - Map 9  (326KB)

Transport Assessment TA4 Consultation Report  (91KB)

Further information

Please telephone Mr Phil Smith on 01793 466443 or e-mail structureplans@swindon.gov.uk.