New Eastern Villages (NEV) planning policy and guidance

The Swindon Borough Local Plan explains how the New Eastern Villages development should be planned and delivered.

Local Plan context

The adopted Swindon Borough Local Plan sets out development needs up to 2026. These include housing, employment, infrastructure, and other development.

The plan explains where development should take place and what infrastructure is needed to support it.

It identifies several strategic development sites, known as 'new communities'. These include the New Eastern Villages (NEV), which will help meet planned growth needs.

Policies NC3 and RA3 relate specifically to the New Eastern Villages. We have summarised these policies below.

You should read the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2026 for the full wording of these and other relevant policies.

Policy NC3: New Eastern Villages

Policy NC3 is the main Local Plan policy for the New Eastern Villages. It includes Rowborough and the expansion of South Marston village.

The policy describes a series of separate but connected villages. It also provides for the expansion of South Marston.

Green infrastructure corridors will help define the villages. Green infrastructure includes connected green spaces that support wildlife and benefit local communities.

The policy expects the development to provide, among other things:

• about 6,000 homes south of the A420
• about 1,500 homes north of the A420
• 500 homes at South Marston
• about 40 hectares of employment land
• about 12,000 square metres of retail floorspace
• community infrastructure, including sports and leisure facilities, schools, community facilities, and a healthcare facility
• high-quality public areas, including outdoor civic space
• improved walking and cycling routes that connect with existing networks
• good transport connections in the development and to surrounding areas
• Great Stall Bridge, a green bridge across the A419 near Covingham Drive
• walking, cycling, and public transport routes across Great Stall Bridge
• an extensive green infrastructure network that supports connected habitats and improves biodiversity
• an extension to the River Cole green infrastructure corridor
• a connection to Nightingale Wood

Policy RA3: South Marston

Policy RA3 sets out how development at South Marston should be delivered, including development that forms part of the New Eastern Villages.

The policy aims to create an integrated village. South Marston should keep its distinct rural identity and remain separate from Swindon and other settlements.