THERE was a high turnout of residents for a public meeting last night as opposition to a controversial planning application was renewed.

Around 40 residents, including members of the Lydiard Fields Action Group (LFAG), attended the West Swindon Forum to voice their concerns over an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate (PI) by the developers Primegate Properties (Hooknorth) Ltd, acting on behalf of Bovis Homes.

The firm’s application for 175 houses, 30 per cent of which will be affordable – 52 homes in total – with public open space and a children’s play area on land at Hook Street, near Lydiard Park, was rejected by Swindon Council in October.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland had previously reiterated his opposition to the plans in the Adver last week.

Speaking at the Link Centre meeting, David Barnard, a spokesman for LFAG, outlined objections to the proposal including the affect on roads, flooding issues and the impact on Lydiard Park as a heritage site.

He also said the developers had issued a new plan with alterations not seen by Swindon Council in the original proposal.

A host of West Swindon councillors were quick to oppose the plans, with Michael Dickinson (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) urging as many people as possible to submit letters of concern to the PI.

“Sadly we are back here having to object but hopefully this time they will get the hint – the people in West Swindon do not want these houses,” he said.

“I hope everybody will be able to put their objections in again.”

Councillor Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said: “The key point here is the land on Hook Street was never designated as development land.

“This is a speculative development and I would urge everybody to oppose it.”

A motion was passed for the forum to write to the PI expressing residents’ concerns.

For details on the appeal, go to www.planning portal. gov.uk/pcs and search for 2140734.