A CONTROVERSIAL bid for sports pitches at Tadpole Garden Village has been withdrawn after an outcry by residents.

More than 100 homeowners attended an emergency meeting called over developer Crest Nicholson’s plan to create the sports complex.

While residents knew there would be a pavilion and some sports pitches, the revised application included floodlights, changes to the pitches and a 122-space carpark.

People living on the development feared it would lower the value of their homes.

But now the plug has been pulled on that bid.

Residents are happy that the application has been withdrawn – but they remain apprehensive about what may come next.

Sarah Hamill, who lives at Tadpole Village Gardens, said: “We are over the moon to see the application withdrawn but it has left a lot of us in suspense about the new plans to follow.”

Concerns remain as Abbey Meads FC is in talks to have a 25-year lease even though no application has been approved.

Although the developer admits to being in discussion with the football club, it has stated that nothing has been finalised.

It would leave the team training and playing in a different area of Swindon next season.

A spokesperson at Crest Nicholson said: “We have been in discussions with Abbey Meads about the potential for the club to use the proposed football facilities at Tadpole Garden Village on the basis of a lease for up to 25 years, to ensure a sustainable income stream to support the long-term maintenance of the facilities.

“The precise terms of such an agreement have not been finalised and any such an agreement has not been finalised and any such an agreement will not be entered into without consultation with the Tadpole Garden Village Community Interest Company which will take ownership of the facilities once completed.

“As a result of the feedback from residents and the public, we have taken the decision to withdraw the planning applications for the provision of sports facilities at Tadpole Garden Village.

“We are committed to delivering a high-quality development, with an equally high-quality sports provision, to support the health and wellbeing of the growing community at Tadpole.”

A residents’ steering group will now be formed to ensure the community can be part of a detailed review of the proposals.