Construction work has commenced to develop up to 2500 new homes in Swindon's New Eastern Villages.

Senior figures from housebuilder Vistry Group, Sovereign Network Group (SNG) and Swindon Borough Council gathered to formally place the first spade in the ground at Lotmead.

The development, which is a joint venture between Vistry and SNG, has been planned to include a local centre, two primary schools, sports hub and green space on a 417-acre site to the east of Wanborough Road.

Lotmead forms part of the wider New Eastern Villages project which is set to provide around 8,000 new homes alongside a range of new employment, health, retail, education and leisure facilities.

Vistry Cotswolds will build 214 homes under its Bovis Homes brand in the first phase of Lotmead, known as King George Park, on a 39-acre parcel of land in the south-western part of the wider site. This will include 153 properties for private sale through Vistry’s Bovis Homes brand and 61 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership through SNG.

The breaking-ground ceremony was attended by Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins, the council’s corporate director for inclusive economy and sustainability James Coulstock. Also in attendance were James Gibson, development director at SNG, and a delegation from the senior management team at Vistry Cotswolds led by regional managing director Supriya Ray.

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Councillor Robbins said: "I am delighted we have been able to support the UK’s biggest housebuilder, Vistry, in unlocking this site for over 2,000 homes in the New Eastern Villages (NEV) to show that Swindon is leading the way in delivering the housing growth expected by the new government.

"Lotmead will see a significant number of new homes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable, and a brand new community in a village setting complete with schools, green open spaces and local facilities delivering on our missions to build a greener and better Swindon.

"I look forward to seeing the development take shape as we continue our drive to meet our housing targets so we build the homes our residents will need now and into the future."

Supriya Ray, regional managing director of Vistry Cotswolds, said: "The New Eastern Villages scheme is one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in the UK. This exciting development will not only help to address the country’s housing shortage but also assist Swindon Borough Council's aspirations to kick start economic growth in the town and wider region.

"Lotmead is one of the first villages to be brought forward within the wider scheme, and will therefore have an integral role to play in the formation of this new community. We are proud to be working in partnership with SNG and the council to deliver the new homes and infrastructure which will create a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood where people will want to live.

"Our involvement in this massively important project reflects our partnerships-led approach and further underlines Vistry's position as the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes."

As part of the planning agreement for the development, Vistry will be providing a significant investment in local services and infrastructure, which it expects to be in the region of £60 million. This will include contributions towards primary and secondary education, healthcare and road improvements.

In addition to this, Vistry will be providing allotments, sports pitches, two equipped play areas, a new road, cycle links, and a sports pavilion.