THE first formal planning application to develop the Front Garden was lodged today by developer Bryant Homes.

The outline application proposes up to 4,500 new homes, including 30 per cent affordable housing on site, a business park, a 1,000-space park and ride and space for schools, shops and community facilities.

Nearly half the site has been earmarked for green space, including a country park and ecological areas and to restore the Wilts and Berks Canal and build the Old Town Southern Relief Road running alongside the M4 on the southern edge of the Front Garden. Land has also been reserved for a railway station.

Les Durrant, managing director of Old Town-based DPDS Consulting, has led the work on behalf of house-builders Bryant Homes.

He said: "After 15 years involvement on advising on this project it is very rewarding to reach the point where we can submit a formal outline planning application for such a comprehensive development."

The site, now officially called the Southern Development Area, has been the subject of a bitter battle between protestors and Swindon Council.