RESIDENTS from the area near to Lydiard Park have urged the council to remember their promises when it comes to development proposals.

Planning officers are currently considering an application to build four homes at Brook Cottage, just inside the park off Hay Lane.

The houses would go up within the 'essential setting' of Lydiard Park and the Shaw Residents' Association believes they would cause considerable harm to the 'heritage' experience.

Also, and perhaps more alarming in the longer term, they fear that four houses would be just the tip of the iceberg and that planning approval would set a precedent that could see big name house builders Taylor Wimpey return to pursue long-standing plans for nearby sites.

Last year a plan by the firm, which would have seen 48 houses built within view of the historic St Mary's Church, was dropped amid strong public opposition.

At the time of that application, which was being dealt with by Wiltshire Council, Swindon councillors voted almost unanimously to express their "grave concern" at the plans.

A motion brought before the full council called on the cabinet member responsible for Lydiard to write to planners in Wiltshire to express Swindon Borough Council's "unequivocal objection" to the plans.

Now, residents want those same councillors to remember their words and stand up against the latest proposals.

Kevin Fisher, Chairman of the Shaw Residents' Association, said: "Whether it is a submission to build one, four, or 48 houses within the essential setting of Lydiard Park, the harm caused by approval would be significant both in terms of the specific application and the precedent it would set."

He urged councillors to apply the same "unequivocal objection" to the Brook Cottage plans as they did to those put forward by Taylor Wimpey.

Residents have until Friday, September 15, to submit their thoughts for consideration in the decision making process.