NEARLY 500 objections and two petitions have been made in opposition to plans to build almost 1,700 homes at Tadpole Farm.

Crest Nicholson has applied to Swindon Council to build 1,695 traditional family homes on the site at Blunsdon St Andrew, as well as other facilities, including a community centre, pub and primary school.

Swindon Council has so far received 453 letters or emails of objection from 503 different people living at 399 addresses, compared to nine letters of support.

The parish councils of Haydon Wick and Blunsdon have also objected, with the latter submitting a 175-name petition. Oakhurst Residents’ Association plans to submit its own 450-signature petition soon.

Stuart Boyd, the chairman of Blunsdon Parish Council, said parish councillors collected names at a public consultation hosted by Crest Nicholson at Blunsdon Village Hall, and people were quite happy to add their names.

“There’s a lot of concern. There’s serious concerns, mainly around traffic, in fact almost entirely about traffic,” he said.

“I think the development itself, if you could have it in isolation, could be quite nice. But the impact it will have on surrounding areas will be severe.

“The main problem is there’s not the road infrastructure to serve the number of vehicles that will ultimately be generated.

“Event- ually there will be congestion on the junction between Oakhurst Way and Thamesdown Drive, and between Ermin Street in Blunsdon and the B4019 outside of The Cold Harbour pub.”

Oakhurst Residents’ Association is rallying support ahead of a planning committee meeting, on a date to be set, where a decision will be made on whether the development will go ahead.

Secretary Stephanie Exell said she was pleased with the number of objections but called on people to continue sending them to the council.

She said: “It’s nearly 100 per cent of people in Oakhurst saying they’re against Tadpole Farm, and that says something. Oakhurst Way is going to be the main road they use for 75 per cent of the traffic, which is totally unfair.

“We think it’s a good number of objections. It sends a message to the councillors on the planning committee that the people in the area don’t want Tadpole Farm without the infrastructure.”

John Terry, managing director Crest Strategic Projects, said: "Swindon's Core Strategy for growth and development identifies clear demand for new housing and Tadpole Farm has been identified by Swindon Council as the most sustainable site to accommodate this development.

"Proposals to develop Tadpole Farm have been prepared in accordance with the Core Strategy and Crest Strategic Projects has participated fully in the Council's consultation process.

"To mitigate the development impact on local infrastructure, we have worked with the Council to develop a comprehensive traffic calming scheme.

"This is intended to slow traffic on Tadpole Lane and deter rat-running traffic travelling to/from the A419. Proposals at Tadpole Farm aim to increase vehicle journey times on Tadpole Lane to discourage motorists from diverting off Thamesdown Drive when travelling to/from the A419.

"We're confident that the access strategy, coupled with this very robust travel plan and the increased bus service provision will ensure there is no worsening of traffic congestion."

For more information about the association, call Stephanie on 01793 703276 or email steph.exell@sky.com