Anyone with any experience of Wichelstowe, Swindon?

pelirocco

How much are you looking to pay , and what do you need for that ? Personally I would go for an older more established estate . bassett isnt that much further to go and is much nicer then Swindon imoh

Movingsouth

Daniyella wrote: »

We are considering buying on this estate but we keep hearing good and bad reviews, the estate once completed will be 4500 houses and set over 3 parts with 3 schools a district centre etc its due to be completed in 2020, anyone have any info etc?

Hi Daniyella,

Am hoping to move to Wichelstowe in the spring. For us it was our 1st choice. We looked at the following developments:
The Sidings (Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes)
Wichelstowe (Barratt Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson Homes)
Nightingale Rise (Barratt Homes)
Moulden View (Wainhomes)
Knightsgate Down (Barratt Homes, didn't go to this one. This place is less than 2 miles from Nightingale rise and the houses re 10-15K more than Nightingale Rise. Reason could be less built up compared to Nightingale Rise and land more expensive)

We chose Wichelstowe as it is not surrounded by built up areas such as retail parks and really busy main roads as with the other developments, but I guess in time, it will get busy in years to come! Also it is close to motorway as other half will be commuting to Oxfordshire. Wichelstowe has people living in most of the houses on East Wichel. There are houses being built on end of East Wichel, due to finish end of 2014. Then I guess its Middle and West Wichel they will have more building. Been told Middle Wichel is where the Waitrose and maybe restaurants will be built. West Wichel will be more business related buildings for employment. Things mentioned they are building are 2 lakes, an aboretum visitor centre, schools, community centre, community garden/allotments.

At the moment I can see there are few empty buildings, which are supposed to be shops, guess they got to get buyers in (shops are probably expensive and buyers are waiting for it to be more built up??). There is a Marston's chain pub called The Bayberry on East Wichel, been in, in the day during house hunting, staff friendly and approachable, asked them a few questions of the area, and clientele ok (not appear to be a cliquey place or rough pubs like you see on some documentaries)! Hear that Mitchells and Butlers are planning a Toby Carvery on other side of motorway. There is a footbridge to get to Wroughton. Old town is nearby. I saw buses go through the village. Heard that they are reducing 5 buses an hour down to 2 (5 is bit overkill I think)! East Wichel appears clean, read that developers wash down roads, and also a community litter picking group. There is East Wichel Primary school, I think there is a nursery attached.

Apologies if you know all this already!

Some interesting links are (not allowed to post links as newbie, so do a google search on the following):
wichelstowe
wichelstowe (look under Living, Living-In-East-Wichel, Housing-Parcel-Layout for developers and house layout)
eastwichel
thestoweaway
twitter East Wichel
komadori dot me dot uk
East wichel community primary school
A few facebook groups of Wichelstowe

The Wichelstowe website, is a Swindon Borough council and Taylor Wimpey website. It details most things, include all the flood information. They state that they do not build on the floodplains (hopefully the information is true) and the land they are building on is on 'higher land' than the flood levels.

You mention concerns about whether being rough. I guess all places have their rough and good parts, and people are negative about social housing. Just because of non social housing houses, and expensive cars, does not mean there are rough and non rough people etc. Most developments now mix private and social houses to offer everyone opportunity to buy and they must also state where they building social housing or affordable housing as they state on their plans. I think you mentioned you have a little one, I have read on one of the links some childrens and parents club that goes on frequently, which may be of interest.

I sound like an advert for Wichelstowe! I'm nervous about the move, hence doing as much research about the area. Been to several development sites and this one was the most attractive, location, area and house preference wise. Hopefully, it will be a good move for us. We have heard negative stories about Swindon and Wichelstowe, but like I said everywhere has good and bad parts. We are moving due to jobs and its location along the M4 corridor, and hope to enjoy Swindon as our new hometown! Big decision whatever development choice, hopefully Wichelstowe is a good choice!

You mentioned you work in Bristol. Please can you tell me how long it takes for you to commute there, train or car. I assume you commute at peak times.

Good luck in your move. Keep us updated!

P.S. Am moving from North. I know most of Cheshire. Hope it has been good living in Swindon!

Strapped

Devizes? Some new estates (if that's your thing) there with unsold properties begging for a discount.

Furts

Movingsouth wrote: »

Hi Daniyella,

Am hoping to move to Wichelstowe in the spring. For us it was our 1st choice. We looked at the following developments:
The Sidings (Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes)
Wichelstowe (Barratt Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson Homes)
Nightingale Rise (Barratt Homes)
Moulden View (Wainhomes)
Knightsgate Down (Barratt Homes, didn't go to this one. This place is less than 2 miles from Nightingale rise and the houses re 10-15K more than Nightingale Rise. Reason could be less built up compared to Nightingale Rise and land more expensive)

We chose Wichelstowe as it is not surrounded by built up areas such as retail parks and really busy main roads as with the other developments, but I guess in time, it will get busy in years to come! Also it is close to motorway as other half will be commuting to Oxfordshire. Wichelstowe has people living in most of the houses on East Wichel. There are houses being built on end of East Wichel, due to finish end of 2014. Then I guess its Middle and West Wichel they will have more building. Been told Middle Wichel is where the Waitrose and maybe restaurants will be built. West Wichel will be more business related buildings for employment. Things mentioned they are building are 2 lakes, an aboretum visitor centre, schools, community centre, community garden/allotments.

At the moment I can see there are few empty buildings, which are supposed to be shops, guess they got to get buyers in (shops are probably expensive and buyers are waiting for it to be more built up??). There is a Marston's chain pub called The Bayberry on East Wichel, been in, in the day during house hunting, staff friendly and approachable, asked them a few questions of the area, and clientele ok (not appear to be a cliquey place or rough pubs like you see on some documentaries)! Hear that Mitchells and Butlers are planning a Toby Carvery on other side of motorway. There is a footbridge to get to Wroughton. Old town is nearby. I saw buses go through the village. Heard that they are reducing 5 buses an hour down to 2 (5 is bit overkill I think)! East Wichel appears clean, read that developers wash down roads, and also a community litter picking group. There is East Wichel Primary school, I think there is a nursery attached.

Apologies if you know all this already!

Some interesting links are (not allowed to post links as newbie, so do a google search on the following):
wichelstowe
wichelstowe (look under Living, Living-In-East-Wichel, Housing-Parcel-Layout for developers and house layout)
eastwichel
thestoweaway
twitter East Wichel
komadori dot me dot uk
East wichel community primary school
A few facebook groups of Wichelstowe

The Wichelstowe website, is a Swindon Borough council and Taylor Wimpey website. It details most things, include all the flood information. They state that they do not build on the floodplains (hopefully the information is true) and the land they are building on is on 'higher land' than the flood levels.

You mention concerns about whether being rough. I guess all places have their rough and good parts, and people are negative about social housing. Just because of non social housing houses, and expensive cars, does not mean there are rough and non rough people etc. Most developments now mix private and social houses to offer everyone opportunity to buy and they must also state where they building social housing or affordable housing as they state on their plans. I think you mentioned you have a little one, I have read on one of the links some childrens and parents club that goes on frequently, which may be of interest.

I sound like an advert for Wichelstowe! I'm nervous about the move, hence doing as much research about the area. Been to several development sites and this one was the most attractive, location, area and house preference wise. Hopefully, it will be a good move for us. We have heard negative stories about Swindon and Wichelstowe, but like I said everywhere has good and bad parts. We are moving due to jobs and its location along the M4 corridor, and hope to enjoy Swindon as our new hometown! Big decision whatever development choice, hopefully Wichelstowe is a good choice!

You mentioned you work in Bristol. Please can you tell me how long it takes for you to commute there, train or car. I assume you commute at peak times.

Good luck in your move. Keep us updated!

P.S. Am moving from North. I know most of Cheshire. Hope it has been good living in Swindon!

I feel you are already decided and putting a post for reassurance. Swindon will not be helped by the continuing turmoil at Honda. If the economy continues to bump along the bottom, there is no real indication of when your chosen location will become a community, nor get its infrastructure completed.

I know Swindon and I know about new homes and developments. I would be cautious about buying, or at least be looking at driving a hard bargain with the developers. Think carefully about the new home premium, and the difficulty of selling in the next, perhaps 8-10 years.

I trust this helps...and apologies if it does not!

Daniyella

Thanks alot for you post moving south that is very reassuring, I work at Bristol airport (I fly) so it takes me about 1hour 10 to get to work but I leave an hour and a half but that includes a costa stop normally oh and i dont tend to drive there in rush hour its normally early like 4am abd on the way home i dint tend to time the journey ill definately be driving a hard bargain that's for sure!

gxd1983

Hi Daniyella -I live here in Wichelstowe and have nothing but postive things to say about it. Have been here for 2 years now and am shortly moving due to job relocation - house (2 bed) is about to go on the market. Happy to answer any questions you have about Wichelstowe etc. Gareth.

algeron_2

Should mention that when the council take over the roads their will be no parking on the streets except in a few designated bays so make sure you have enough off road spaces with your property.

A lot of thought has gone into the development to encourage the use of public transport and allow access to emergency vehicles. One of the main reasons why I chose to live in Witchelstowe..

Also East Witchel is not built on a flood plain and extra drainage has been included. Insurance is cheap and running costs are really low. Especially like the super fast fibre broadband and two year guarantee that comes with the property. Just phone up the property company and they fix it for you. No DIY. Love it...