SWINDON South MP Robert Buckland has labelled a revised plan to build 175 homes as “unwelcome”, as it edged closer to reality.

Primegate Properties (Hooknorth) Ltd, on behalf of Bovis Homes, had submitted an application for outline planning permission for 210 houses in May this year but later withdrew it after concerns raised by residents and councillors.

The new application, now formally before Swindon Council, has seen the number of homes reduced to 175 with around 40 per cent of the site maintained as green space.

But its opponents say there is little to choose between the latest application and its predecessor and the concerns over congestion and the local environment still remain.

Mr Buckland said: “I was very supportive of the first campaign against it and my view has not changed – the principle remains the same. It is unwelcome and should be rejected.”

“There are two things that concern me. First, it will change the nature of Lydiard Country Park – this will have an adverse impact on an important and much-loved facility.

“The second is it appears to be developing outside the pre-determined development boundary for Swindon and so is questionable.”

Mr Buckland said he also shared residents’ fears over potential congestion on Hook Street and Whitehill Way should the proposal go ahead. He said: “I don’t think the developers have fully addressed it. There will be problems with further pressure on Whitehill Way, which is already congested during rush hour.”

Les Durrant, chairman of DPDS Consulting Group, said he expected local residents to have concerns and wanted to hear the results of the public consultation, which ends on August 31, before addressing them specifically.

He said: “I think the scheme is different and we have supplied additional information including a heritage report looking at the impact on Lydiard Park.

“We do believe we have addressed all the issues and we will have to wait and see if there are further points.

“We are not expecting everybody to think this is a good idea.

“Delivery of housing is a key issue and remains a key issue.

“The application is in the council now and people will have the chance to look at the facts.”

Freshbrook and Grange Park councillor Michael Bray, who is also a staunch opponent of the development, said: “The application says the residents won’t have to be reliant on private transport but the bus route, 54, does not run any more and 175 houses could amount to around 500 cars.”