A DEVELOPMENT the size of Chippenham, earmarked for land east of Swindon, could have a massive impact on the rest of the town.

Politicians in Covingham are urging residents to have their say on plans to build 12,000 homes on countryside between Wanborough, Bourton and South Marston, east of the A419.

They believe the Eastern Development Area, which will also include schools, community facilities and a district centre, would increase traffic and flooding problems in their area.

Brian Osbourne, the chairman of Covingham Parish Council, said he would be handing out 2,000 leaflets urging Covingham residents to take part in a consultation process on the EDA, which ends on Monday, June 15.

He said: “We want them to go back to the drawing board because there are serious concerns, especially about flooding and traffic.

“We feel this is development on the cheap and it is not good enough considering the people of Swindon and the surrounding villages are the ones who have to live with this.

“This is a development the size of Chippenham and it’s important people realise the scale of it.

“The key issues are flooding – because we don’t want to see a repeat of what happened two years ago, and traffic – where their plans are just pie in the sky.

“They are talking about fly-overs with trams on them. But it will never happen.

“We are opposed to the EDA but we know we won’t be able to stop it so at least we can make them rethink their plans.”

Ward councillor Dale Heenan, who is also the chairman of Swindon Council’s planning committee, said the EDA would be the biggest development in the south west and would see Swindon dwarf Oxford in size.

He said: “Issues of transport, housing, education and leisure facilities are all being discussed.

“If this debate happens after applications are submitted we could find developers dictating the terms and it will be too late.

“As a councillor for Covingham and Nythe, and a resident of Covingham, I have serious concerns about the possible impact of increased road congestion.

“Measures to prevent rat running must be included.

“I will also campaign against any plans to divide the local community by turning Dorcan Way into a dual carriageway.

“The EDA must also fix our existing flooding problems, not aggravate them.

“However, there are some potential positives with the possible burial or covering of 700m of the A419, and the creation of a heritage park that would act as a buffer between Covingham and the development.”

A public consultation meeting will be held at Dorcan Recreation Centre, St Paul’s Drive, on Monday between 4pm and 6pm.