A flagship Swindon housing development that became one of only three in the country to earn our Excellent Modeshift STARS Accreditation, has now been crowned STARS Residential National Site of the Year.
The Wichelstowe development, led by Wichelstowe LLP, a joint venture between Swindon Borough Council and Barratt David Wilson Homes, is recognised for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable transport and community design.
Read the full Wichelstowe travel plan achieves Excellent Modeshift STARS Accreditation Case Study.
We caught up on some of the strategy developments and activities that contributed to their award nomination and STARS accreditation:
A vision for greener journeys
In July 2025, Wichelstowe welcomed an electric car club vehicle to the development. The operator Co Wheels offered free membership and £25 driving credit to all new members at Wichelstowe and leaflets advertising the car were posted through all occupied doors on the development along with an additional 800 homes in nearby East Wichel.
Swindon Orienteering Challenge
Over Christmas 2025, the Swindon Orienteering Challenge relaunched. Ten years ago, 36 orienteering points were put up around Swindon as stickers attached to lampposts or signposts on the paths across the borough. The challenge to hunt them all down was relaunched with a brand new booklet of colourful maps aimed at families, that broke the borough down into smaller geographical chunks.
The challenge was also available to play on an app for the first time. For Wichelstowe, this meant advertising the ‘South Swindon Seeker’ quest at families, and supporting the challenge with an event in February half term. More details are available at www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/getting-around/cycling/cycleorienteering/
South Swindon Green Trail
Easter 2025 saw resident invited to join a guided walk around the South Swindon Green Trail. The 8-mile trail passed through beautiful green locations, as well as past various new residential settlements, and was set up like a train, where residents could join and leave at various points. There was a free lunch at Coate Water, and at the busiest stretch, 35 residents had joined the walk. Those dipping out along the route were offered a free bus ticket and details of how to bus back to their start point.
Connecting Wichelstowe
In 2025, the travel plan coordinator was invited to join the ‘Connecting Wichelstowe’ group. The group is made up of stakeholders in the community, the pub, care home, Parish Council, Canal Trust, Church representatives, Waitrose etc. The group makes sure activities through the year are coordinated and cross promoted. Involvement with the group has meant the travel plan can engage in a wider range of activity, from litter picking to the running group.
Setting the standard for sustainable development
As one of only three housing developments in the UK to achieve Modeshift STARS Excellent Accreditation, Wichelstowe sets a benchmark for future developments looking to combine quality of life with sustainability.
