CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build nearly 250 homes on green space in Gorse Hill were revealed yesterday by Swindon Council.

Developer Haboakus plans to build 241 homes, including 106 affordable family homes, on the former allotment site, Pickards Small Field, and the open space known as Kembrey Grass, both of which are council-owned.

The council says the £30m scheme will have a number of benefits, including helping the council to meet its housing targets and supporting the economy by increasing the number of residents and creating work and training opportunities.

A further £1m from the sale of the land is also proposed be spent in landscaping the open space adjoining the proposed development and on a pavilion for Southbrook Recreation Ground.

Council leader Rod Bluh said: “It will probably attract a certain amount of opposition on the basis it’s open space. But by the definition, all new houses tend to be put on some sort of open space. This, effectively, is redundant scrubland.

“This is just an opportunity to deliver much-needed housing with a boost to the local economy and a significant investment into landscaping.”

Cabinet will be asked on February 15 to agree to a number of proposals, including for the council to sell the land and for the council and Haboakus to explore the potential of setting up a community land trust.

If this is supported, there will then be a consultation before a planning application is submitted by Haboakus.

The disposal of the land is dependent on several conditions, including the granting of planning consent, and £1m of funding from the Homes And Communities Agency.

Haboakus, a joint venture between GreenSquare and Hab Housing, is the housing provider which works with TV architect Kevin McCloud.

Josie Lewis, of Friends Of Kembrey Grass, said there was an active covenant on Kembrey Grass saying it must be kept as open space. Commenting on Pickards Small Field, she said: “They’re depriving the community of an open space and ignoring the demand for allotments.

“We are sure the ground was never meant to be built on, it’s been allotments since the 1700s.”

A public meeting to discuss the plans will be held at St Barnabas’ Church on Thursday at 6.30pm.