Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has applied to be able to advertise houses it is soon to be building on the site of old Swindon Greyhound Abbey Stadium.

The company wants to put up huge ‘Coming Soon’ billboards facing both the A419 and the B4534 Lady Lane telling motorists and passers-by about the development of nearly 180 houses.

Gaming International, which owns the land, is currently in the process of building a new stadium with a new grandstand and facilities.

Doing so is a condition in the planning agreement set by Swindon Borough Council that has to be met before Taylor Wimpey can begin any significant work on the final phase of 179 houses.

Read More: Swindon speedway fans fear for future as building work on Abbey Stadium stalls

Earlier this year, concerns were raised over the progress of the work on the new stadium with Speedway fan Cliff Williams from Lechlade, organising a demonstration.

He said at the time: "Nothing has been done to this stadium, nothing has been done for two months, we’ve had perfect weather."

At the end of September, Swindon Speedway announced it wouldn't be returning for the 2023 season because of financial viability.

Read More: Abbey Stadium closes doors to Swindon Speedway

This was despite one of the conditions in the planning document being that Gaming International must keep both greyhound racing and speedway going until the new stadium was built. 

Shortly after this diggers were spotted at the land next to the stadium earmarked for the houses, but Taylor Wimpey insisted it was just preparing the land for the future build, and this was something that it could do under the planning agreement. 

Read: Abbey Stadium development gets underway

This move sparked concerns from many that the covenant between the council and the housebuilders wasn't being adhered to - especially as the stadium build itself looks a long way off completion. 

Charlie Meredith who runs the Robins updates Twitter account said: “I am beyond gutted and angered that Swindon (speedway) will not be returning to the Abbey stadium.

“However, I am not surprised as I think a lot of people could see this happening a mile away.

But Swindon Borough Council has recently reiterated that it plans to enforce the agreement it made. 

Councillor Gary Sumner, cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, said: “This is a matter of Planning Obligations and we intend to seek that the applicant discharges these conditions, which were put in place to protect both the use of the site and the amenity of nearby residents”