PLANS for a Science Park promising to bring at least 600 jobs to have caused outrage amongst local residents.

More than 150 local people came to view the plans for the 100-acre proposed development, which sits on Inlands Farm in between Wanborough and the A419 Common Head roundabout.

For people at the consultation, many from nearby Wanborough and Liden, it was a chance to voice concerns about issues around increased traffic and complaints about the proximity to land designated an Area of Natural Beauty.

Wasdell, the pharmaceutical packaging manufacture looking to build on the site, says the park will be a centre for research and development and attract high-skilled jobs into the area.

Gill Reeves, from Liden, said: “It’s such a lovely area for that to disappear under buildings would be really sad. It’s hard to think that they’ve spent two years looking and the only place they can find is a beautiful site like that.

“It’s hard to say no to jobs but why not a brownfield site, you’re just adding to the eyesores.

Brenda James, who has lived in Wanborough for 78 years, said: “I think most people will be against it because of its size. It’s great for the company and jobs, but not for the village.”

Lindsay Lawrence, also from Liden, said: “I think it’s a terrible location, I feel very sorry for the people living in Wanborough.

"The development is the same size as the village. I’ve already spoken to one lady who said she was going to move house. She was very upset."

The Science park to the west of the village adds to the 8,000 houses allocated to land for the New Eastern Villages development to the north.

One Wanborough resident who didn’t want to be named said: “I’m staggered its even got this far. Calling it a science park is a complete joke. When you move to a village you don’t expect it to be destroyed like this.

“However you dress it up it’s industrial units, and masses of cars, it’s a rat-run as it is.”

But Bazil Solomon, parish councillor for Nythe, Eldene, and Liden, and computer science teacher at St Jospeh’s School, welcomed the proposals.

“Locally we need skills, and jobs for the future of our children. With Brexit coming we need to attract more business, people are feeling worried about it already.

Reading and Oxford have science parks which focus on investing on emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and sustainable fuels.

Mr Solomon, who also works part time as a researcher at Oxford Brookes University working on projects for artificial intelligence, added: “I’ve seen what we need for future technologies. We need job development.

“Swindon is getting bigger, you’ve got the massive Eastern Villages development, we’ve got loads of housing but there’s a shortage when it comes to centres for highly skilled jobs.”

Wasdell, which currently employ 650 people in Swindon, are looking to double the number of employees by 2021 if the plans go head. But once fully completed and there could be an additional 3,000 jobs brought to the area.

The firm currently has its Headquarters at Blagrove and four sites in total which it is looking to consolidate into one site at the Science Park.

They are currently constructing further sites in Ireland which could be developed further if the plans for the site in Wanborough are rejected.

Feedback on the plans can still be submitted until September 19 at www.swindonsciencepark.co.uk.

A planning application will be submitted in full to Swindon Borough Council before the end of the year.