MORE than 50,000 people have now signed the petition against a developer’s wish to build more than a thousand homes on land next to Coate Water.

This, they hope, will protect its rural landscape setting and its wildlife, historic and literary value.

A number of famous faces have signed the petition including TV stars Ant and Dec and Wootton Bassett musician Jonathan Wilkes, who is a pal of singer Robbie Williams.

Former Swindon MP Lord Stoddart has also signed the Save Coate Campaign petition objecting to the development of 1,800 homes near the beauty spot.

“Redrow Homes and Persimmon Homes have asked the Secretary of State to make a decision about their planning application to build housing and industrial estates between Coate Water, the hospital and the motorway,” said Save Coate campaigner Jean Saunders. “This is while setting aside land for an unknown university around the local nature reserve and bird sanctuary at Coate Water.

“The public now has a very limited opportunity to make its views known about this planning application to the Government’s planning inspectorate who will hold a public inquiry before reporting back to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.”

The Swindon Gateway Partnership submitted a rejigged version of a plan for a university campus and 1,800 homes close to the beauty spot in June. When it last submitted its plan for the site Bath University was involved - but after it dropped out the concept ran out of steam.

Now the partnership has tweaked its plan and asked Swindon Council for permission to develop the site.

But last month it appealed directly to Government for a final decision on the matter, saying the council was taking too long to make up its mind.

Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh said: “We’re absolutely committed to protecting Coate. There is no agenda on us driving this through.

“But because of the history of the site we’ll only develop there with a university - and we will fight to the death to stop any development without a university.

“But Coate Water isn’t going anywhere. I am keen to see Coate improved.”

To contribute to the consultation write to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/04, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, by November 4.

Quote the reference number APP/U3935/A/08/2085605/NWF and send in three copies of your letter.