LYDIARD Tregoze Parish Council has bucked the trend by deciding to support an unpopular planning proposal to build 48 homes within sight of the historic St Mary’s church at Lydiard Park.

The plans would see Taylor Wimpey develop land just off Tewkesbury Way – despite strong opposition from local residents’ groups, Swindon Borough Council and two local MPs.

Documents released as part of a Freedom of Information request show the parish council was not always in favour of the development. But they had a change of heart following a meeting with developers where land and funding for local projects was offered.

A letter sent to Taylor Wimpey’s agents in February 2015 shows that the development was, at that point, “not seen as being acceptable to Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council.”

However, just a month later, that position had changed.

A further letter, sent by the developer’s agent following a meeting with councillors, shows that the council had decided to support the application.

In return, Taylor Wimpey agreed to gift the remainder of the land at Tewkesbury Way to the parish. They would also provide money, totalling £10,000, for allotments and a cemetery.

A follow up letter also refers to wording of the draft neighbourhood plan.

It says the plan should include “an allocation for the development of up to 50 new dwellings, including 40 per cent affordable housing” and suggests that the location be deemed “the most logical and sustainable location for new development within the parish.”

Lydiard Tregoze confirmed their decision to support the application earlier this month but gave no formal reasoning.

In contrast, the neighbouring Lydiard Millicent Parish Council objected to the plans, articulating four reasons for doing so.

Coun Peter Willis, Chairman of Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council, denied that Taylor Wimpey’s offers of land and money had any impact on their decision.

He said: “Our decision was taken purely on planning grounds. We’ve got to have some development within the parish and as far as we’re concerned that is the best place for it.”

He said that no land had been transferred and as yet the offer of money for a cemetery and allotments was not confirmed.

“The land was offered to a number of local groups, we were just the ones to say we were interested,” he added.

“Our neighbourhood plan is being written by a committee and Taylor Wimpey have not had any influence on it.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “It has always been our intention to gift the remaining part of the land to Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council, on the condition that the land must be safeguarded from inappropriate development in perpetuity.

“We have prepared a high-quality planning application to deliver much-needed new homes to the local area, and we look forward to our application being considered by the local planning authority.”