THE first houses of the Coate development could well be given the go-ahead at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

Developer Redrow has submitted two separate applications totalling 74 homes, marking the first stage of a development which will eventually see 900 homes built on the site between Coate Water and Great Western Hospital.

When it was first proposed the controversial development ran into strong opposition.

It was rejected by the council and more than 50,000 residents signed a petition against it.

However, after an appeal the Planning Inspectorate said the development, which includes 890 homes, a village centre and a primary school, could go ahead.

Following this decision in 2012 a working party was set up involving ward councillors, parish councillors, council officers and representatives of the developers so they could work together in progressing the development.

The chairman of group, Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), believes since the decision was made by the inspectorate the developer has been co-operative with locals.

He said: “Over the last 18 months we have had some in-depth conversations with the developer.

“It means we have been able to negotiate with them over the layout and the type of houses.

“They have entered into a positive dialogue with the residents and I would like to thank them for doing so.

“What we have to remember is they have had the planning permission from the Secretary of State all along, so as a council we are very limited in what we can do.”

Keith Annis, the planning director for Redrow South West said: “We are pleased to have the reserved matters application for the Badbury Park development in Swindon going before the council planning committee later this week.

“We have worked with the parish council and residents affected by the development to adjust our reserved matters application to incorporate their feedback into our designs.

“We will continue to work with the local parishes group and will commence building as soon as we have the relevant permission.

“We hope to have properties for sale at the site by summer 2014.

“Redrow is committed to delivering a development that meets the company’s high standards, together with the needs of local residents, and will continue to work towards this.”