THE public inquiry into whether developers will be allowed to build 1,800 homes and a university campus at Coate has begun.

The Swindon Gateway Partnership (SGP) lodged an appeal against Swindon Council after the authority failed to decide on an application to build on land near Coate Water.

Now a government appointed planning inspector, David Richards, will have the final say over whether the controversial scheme gets the greenlight.

The first day began with Mr Richards setting out the agenda for the 16-day inquiry and asking for submissions to speak.

As well as presentations from the council, represented by Anthony Crean QC, and Christoper Lockhart-Mummery, speaking on behalf of SGP, there will be a further 11 speakers.

These range from the Save Coate Coalition, which has collected more than 50,000 signatures against the scheme, to the GWH NHS Trust, the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, and concerned members of the public.

The afternoon session began with submissions from both sides, with SGP accusing the council of jeopardising a golden opportunity to bring a university to Swindon.Mr Lockhart Mummery said: "It is baffling that the council seek to reject this unique opportunity. We would hope that the council would wish to embrace this opportunity and work to facilitate rather than attempt to frustrate it."

Mr Crean based his objections to the appeal largely on the fact that SGP's plans contravene existing planning policies and that the withdrawal of the University of Bath from the scheme meant it was no longer suitable for Swindon.