LOCAL politicians have issued a stark warning to developers wishing to build on land near Lydiard Park after residents raised the alarm as surveyors returned to the site.

Members of the Lydiard Fields Action Group (LFAG) alerted local councillors and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland that contractors had moved onto the field adjacent to Grange Park a couple of weeks ago.

A proposal for 175 homes was rejected by the Planning Inspectorate last May after a long and fierce campaign by residents in the area, who argued it would be unsustainable in terms of traffic and was not designated as development land by Swindon Council.

In a statement after the appeal decision last year, developers’ agent DPDS indicated there may be subsequent applications.

It said: “The Inspector’s conclusion that there is not a five year supply of housing land in Swindon confirms that it is highly likely that applications will continue to be brought forward on this basis for individual determination by the council on the basis of their suitability and environmental sustainability.

Now ward councillor Michael Dickinson and Mr Buckland have said they would fight any new application, even if it saw a significant reduction in the number of homes.

Coun Dickinson (Con, Lydaird and Freshbrook) said: “I have had a few emails from residents regarding some activity on the site and I have instructed officers to look into it.

“I hope the developers see sense and see how they came out in the last planning inquiry.

“We would fight it again and the basic reasons from the last campaign have not changed – it is not an appropriate place to build housing and is outside the urban development boundaries.

“Even if they reduce the amount I would still not be happy.”

Mr Buckland said: “Only last year an inappropriate application was thrown out on appeal and it would be regrettable if another application of this type was to be made bearing in mind the strong views of local residents and the clearly stated conclusions of the Planning Inspector.”

As yet the housebuilder has not been revealed, although a spokesman for Bovis Home, which was behind the last plan, said they were no longer interested in the site.