VILLAGERS in Wroughton are ready to put up yet another fight against a controversial planning application which could see the Co-op in the High Street demolished to make way for 12 new houses.

A proposal was put forward to Swindon Borough Council by The Midcounties Co-operative Society last week which would create two three-bedroomed houses and 10 two-bedroomed apartments on the site neighbouring Nursery Close.

In the plans, Gould Singleton Architects, which is acting on behalf of the Co-op, say that despite the demolition, the Co-op store in Devizes Road would remain open, although doubts have been raised over whether the post office facility would stay.

Gould Singleton Architects was contacted for clarification about the future of the post office but did not respond before going to print.

Dozens of residents have taken to social media to voice their initial concerns, with one user saying: “Shame that the village high street will lose another bit of its character and will have more modern housing fronting on to the high street.

“Also a shame for what is now a much larger village not to have a post office.”

Another said: “This is terrible news. One of the reasons I love living in Nursery Close is due to having the Co-op and post office on the doorstep.

“The thought of all the disruption that building work will cause and not having this amenity is really depressing.”

The plans, which go against the Wroughton Neighbourhood Plan, would see a total of 16 parking spaces be created if the application was given the green light - something which the council’s highways and transport department say falls five short of the parking standards.

The parish council is now hoping residents make their voices heard - just days after Swindon Borough Council said they would not challenge a Government decision to allow 103 homes to be built off Marlborough Road.

Coun Steve Harcourt, who is the chairman of the parish council, said: “There is no mention about the post office in their planning statement or anywhere else in the application.

“Clearly we would be devastated if we lost our post office and we would hope that some arrangements we made to keep it.

“It is a site that should have some retail units on it.

“It is in the heart of the village and it is very accessible for a lot of people because of what is there.

“I am concerned about the planning statement and the way it goes into such detail on the Marlborough Road appeal.

“I hope the council deal with it on proper planning grounds and not let themselves be bullied into approving it because of the Marlborough Road decision.”

“What we say is that unless an applicant can show that a retail space is not viable for a site then it shouldn’t be put forward which hasn’t been done.

“I am expecting the planning committee meeting will be well attending when we look over the application next week. I hope people make it clear to the applicant that this is a proposal that isn’t wanted.”

Parish councillors will discuss the application at their planning committee meeting at the Ellendune Community Centre on Wednesday, September 6, at 7.30pm.

Residents can comment on the plans before September 13 at pa1.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OUIMI5PTH3V00