A GOVERNMENT body has been accused of ‘wanton destruction’ for cutting down hundreds of trees on land which locals say is not suitable for housing.

The Housing and Communities Agency (HCA) owns a plot of land known as the Newburn Sidings, which runs alongside the rail track behind Dean Street.

Until recently the land, which is about a kilometre long, was home to many trees and a haven to wildlife, such as badgers.

It is the role of the HCA to find brownfield sites which can be converted into housing so having taken over Newburn Sidings from Network Rail, the site has been cleared to see if it is suitable for housing.

This has enraged residents and local councillors, who say the land is not suitable for housing and it has had a severe impact on local wildlife.

The plot of land is on a hill, only accessible by a dirt track, and while most of the trees on the slope remain, five metre wide ‘pathways’ have been cut out to help animals living there, say the HCA.

Councillor Bob Wright (Lab, Central) has said he wants the work stopped immediately.

He said: “Due to a re-emphasis on Housing delivery HCA were given permission to explore the site. This led to around a kilometre of trees and shrubs being removed.

“Some were substantial and over 30 years old. This action has destroyed a local wildlife haven and has led to considerable feedback to me from local residents who are disgusted at the action.”

Questions about the suitability of Newburn Sidings for housing have also been raised. Not only is access very poor, but it is an artificially raised site which means it would need securing to be built on.

Coun Wright said: “The road entrance infrastructure costs would be a minimum of £1 million and one potential route being over £1.5 million.

“Both of these proposals would not be practical, and would not be supported by the local councillors or residents. It is doubtful they would get support from the council because of the impact on the existing over-stretched infrastructure.

“The site is artificial, raised to take the rail line over the Wootton Bassett Road. Putting footings in would be very expensive and the alternative of floating it on concrete pads is problematic.

“I would suggest it would be one of the most expensive sites outside of London and the costs would never be recoverable.”

The HCA has accepted it is a difficult site to develop but have said they are working to find a suitable way forward.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve been working closely with our ecology experts, to protect both the badgers and slow worms found on the site.

“Clearance work has been done to ensure the slow worms stay in their new protected area, and to remove significant amounts of fly tip and litter. This clearance work has not disturbed the badger setts.

“We’re now working with Swindon Borough Council to find an appropriate use for the land. Sites like this can be challenging, but the Government’s priority is to make sure underused brownfield land is used for housing where possible.”