Latest arrivals move to the heart of Swindon’s innovative Oakfield development

GreenSquareAccord (GSA), one of England’s largest providers of housing, have welcomed their latest customers into their new homes at Nationwide’s Oakfield development in Swindon.

The £60 million Oakfield project is being delivered by Nationwide together with B-Corp development partner, igloo. It will deliver a total of 239 homes – 71 of which are earmarked for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The most recent GSA customers to arrive at Oakfield are moving into the apartment block which comprises one-bedroom apartments. The apartments sit above a community hub which serves as a focal point for Oakfield residents and contains a large bookable room available for functions and meetings, storage for cycles and mobility scooters, office space and a kitchen.

The hub block’s use will be driven by the Oakfield community once the whole site is completed.

Maicy, a GSA customer who recently moved into Oakfield, said “I am delighted with my new property at Oakfield it is right in the heart of a lovely little community. The flat is brand new with fantastic facilities nearby and it already feels like home.”

GSA’s homes at Oakfield cater to a variety of housing need by providing 42 one-bedroom apartments and maisonettes which are reserved for affordable rent alongside 29 two and three-bedroom houses which are available under a shared ownership scheme.

Denise Woolford, Project Officer at GSA said:

“The customers who have made their home in the new apartment hub block at Oakfield are living at the centre of a thriving new community in Swindon.

“This development has something for everyone with a play area made from natural materials, an outdoor gym and lots of places to simply relax and watch the world go by. The ethos behind Oakfield to bring the community together there are communal areas with seating and flower beds for residents to tend to.

“We are proud to have worked with Nationwide, Swindon Borough Council and igloo to have deliver these new affordable homes in an up-and-coming neighbourhood.”

An earlier phase of the Oakfield development saw GSA customers move into their homes under a shared ownership scheme. Homes made available under shared ownership are complete with a private garden that contains a lockable bike shed.

All of GSA’s new homes at Oakfield have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of A achieved through fitting photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity and are heated by air source heat pumps instead of gas boilers.

Integrated appliances, quality flooring, solid wood doors and double glazing are all included as standard in the homes at Oakfield.

Matt Woolgar, Development Director at igloo, said:

“Oakfield is a true example of community-led development. From the very start of the process, we’ve prioritised engaging with the people who live in and around Oakfield to ensure it’s a scheme that is fit for purpose. We listened to what people wanted and needed from their neighbourhood, so that we could create something more than just a housing development.

“We’re looking forward to seeing these new residents settling in to this connected community which brings people from all walks of life together, from young people buying their first home, to growing families and those looking for their ‘forever’ home.”

Car parking has been limited at Oakfield to maximise space for landscape and people. Each home has parking for one or two cars, depending on size, and there’s also visitor parking.

Incoming residents to Oakfield will be well connected by public transport with bus stops a short walk away from the scheme and the Greenbridge Retail Park which boasts a gym, restaurants and a supermarket close by.

Commenting on her visit to the Oakfield development Cllr Janine Howarth, Cabinet Member for Housing at Swindon Borough Council, said: “The properties are built to a high standard, and it was wonderful to find out more about how the partnership has worked.  The homes at Oakfield are thermally efficient and a holistic approach towards building a community within the development has been taken.”

To date, GSA has welcomed 55 customers into their new homes at Oakfield and by Spring 2025 aims to have completed all 71 handovers.

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