A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to build in the heart of an idyllic village will likely be given the go-ahead when councillors meet on Tuesday.

Residents in Hannington are furious that developers have applied to build eight houses and additional industrial units in the village.

Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday night to discuss the plans, and officers have recommended the application be granted.

Kelli Salone, who has lived in the village for the past 45 years, said: “If this development, which is a 10 per cent increase on the size of Hannington, goes ahead it leaves us wide open – it makes me so cross.”

The proposals, submitted by Fowler Architecture & Planning Ltd on behalf of Lower Burytown Farms Ltd, include the demolition of buildings at Manor Farm in Queen’s Road to be replaced with a housing development.

According to the application, the proposals “will maximise a rare previously developed land resource at Hannington for a housing development of a scale in keeping with the historic form and character of the village”.

The application site is 0.68 hectares and is currently occupied by four separate buildings.

The council received six letters of objection from local residents, and two in support.

Objections include, among others, the fact that the Hannington Neighbourhood Plan has not yet been finalised, the potential effect on privacy for nearby residential properties, noise disturbance and an increase in traffic.

Those who supported the plans claimed that the village needs the development “to give young people a place to call home”. They also claimed the adverse impact on traffic and population numbers had been exaggerated.

One area of concern for residents was how the proposed buildings would fit in with the character of the village.

In their report, the council’s planning officers state: “The main consideration in terms of the conservation impact is the effect of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the Hannington Conservation Area.

“These buildings make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area’s character and appearance.”

They continue: “Overall, the Conservation Officer considers that some harm is caused to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area through this proposal, but the level of harm to significance is less than substantial.”

But Kelli remains unconvinced.

She said: “I just don’t understand why they are allowing such a development.

“I am appealing to anybody who has ever been to Hannington and seen the beautiful scenery to help us keep it that way.”

The planning meeting takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, January 9 at the council’s Euclid Street offices.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.