SWINDON Council is seeking to adopt a road which would be the access route for the planned development of nearly 250 homes in Gorse Hill.

Haboakus aims to build 241 homes on the former allotment site Pickards Small Field and the Kembrey Grass open space.

Cabinet has agreed to dispose of the land to the developer, subject to several conditions being met, including the £30m scheme receiving planning permission.

Swindon Council has started the process to adopt the proposed access road, a surfaced route off Cricklade Road.

A council spokesman said: “We have looked after this land for many years and are now looking to formally adopt it so we can maintain it in our capacity as highway authority. It is connected to the proposed development at Gorse Hill, but it is a process the council would want to carry out regardless of whether the proposed housing scheme is given planning approval in the future. It is important that the road is properly maintained and the proposed adoption is to ensure that this happens.”

The Haboakus development is also due to be discussed at the annual meeting of Swindon Council, at the Civic Offices, today at 2.30pm.

Labour has submitted a motion, backed by the Lib Dems, asking the council to agree that “it does not support the disposal of public land at Pickards Small Field and Kembrey Grass Field and wishes this land to remain as open space”.

Council leader, Rod Bluh, said he was talking to the other parties to agree a “compromise amendment” to this motion, where the council would agree to carry out further community engagement on the proposal and report back to cabinet to reflect people’s concerns.

Labour group leader Jim Grant said: “In principle we’re against the amendment the Conservatives have put forward because it doesn’t include the full council’s opposition to the disposal of public open space in Gorse Hill. I have spoken to the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and he shares my view that it is important to keep opposition to the disposal of open spaces in the motion.”