A small corner of Moredon is marking a quiet but significant milestone this week as residents begin moving into eight newly completed, fully adapted bungalows in Ventnor Close. The development forms part of Swindon Borough Council’s ongoing effort to increase the number of modern, accessible homes across the town – a commitment laid out in the Swindon Plan.
The first keys were handed over today (10 Dec) to Brian and Pat, greeted by the Council’s Lettings Officers alongside staff from Prospect Hospice, who have been supporting Brian. The moment carried real weight for him.
“This home has been purpose-built for my wheelchair,” he said. “It’s exactly what I’ve needed. Somewhere peaceful. My favourite part is the veranda – I’ll be able to sit outside and look at the woods and the wildlife. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Another new tenant, Ms Lee, echoed that sense of relief and anticipation.
“Having this adaptable bungalow means the world to me,” she said. “The wet room is life-changing – I can finally get in and out by myself. The kitchen’s brilliant too with its adjustable worktops, and the flooring makes such a difference. Where I’m living now, the carpet makes it so hard to move around. This is wonderful.”
The timber-framed properties were created using a mix of Section 106 developer funding and Right to Buy receipts, and have been designed from the ground up with accessibility in mind. Step-free layouts, wheelchair-friendly kitchens, wet rooms, off-road parking and private gardens all come as standard. Improvements to the neighbouring street – including adjusted road layouts and additional parking – help integrate the new homes seamlessly into the area.
Each bungalow also comes equipped with energy-saving features such as air-source heat pumps, solar panels and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, intended to reduce running costs while supporting the Council’s environmental aims.
Homes have been allocated through the Council’s housing register, with priority given to residents who need long-term mobility support or live-in care.
Councillor Janine Howarth, Cabinet Member for Housing, welcomed the first move-ins.
“These homes mark an important step forward in both the number and quality of adapted properties we provide,” she said. “They’re designed to support independence, comfort and lower energy bills, all while helping us build a Fairer, Better and Greener Swindon. I’m delighted to see residents settling in, and I look forward to more schemes coming through.”
