Planning permission has been given for 14 self-build houses before any plans have been submitted.

As long as the buildings adhere to a stringent design guide already agreed by Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee, they will be allowed.

A plot of land in Tadpole Garden Village has been set aside for the houses, to be built to buyers’ specification for contractors employed by developer Crest Nicholson.

Coun Nick Burns-Howell said: “This exciting to see this innovative approach in Swindon and I hope it encourages more people to design and build their own home.

“I’d like to see custom and self-builders using and showing more sustainable construction methods."

But some members of the committee were disappointed.

Coun Jane Milner Barry said: “This is not a self-build scheme. All the houses will be built to a tight design code and all have to be in a pastiche Arts and Crafts style.”

The scheme was passed by 10 votes to nil against with two abstentions.