A new estate of 43 homes in Broad Blunsdon can be built, despite impassioned pleas from local councillors.

But it seems that at least some of the members of Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee voted to approve the scheme because they felt they had no option.

Kingsman Estates got approval for the new development, which will be on fields used to graze horses directly opposite the Cold Harbour hotel near the junction of the A419 and the B4019.

Ward councillor Maureen Penny spoke against the scheme, and urged members to refuse the plan.

She said: “In 2011 Broad Blunsdon was a village of 603 houses.

"Since then 495 homes have either been built or benefit from planning permission.

"That’s not including another 118 houses built on Ermin Street, and another 1,650 proposed for Kingsdown.”

Coun Penny said the plans included no provision of a play area and that the traffic would overwhelm the increasingly-busy Cold Harbour junction.

Fellow Blunsdon councillor Steve Weisinger spoke against the plans saying it was over development.

But Jon Adams, director of the developer's planning agents Tetlow King said it had been agreed the company would contribute £22,000 to playing fields in the village of Broad Blunsdon, and that there was a green space for recreation on the site.

He added: “It’s instructive that more than 60 people came to the consultation event but there was only one letter of objection.”

Councillors on the committee had been warned that recent planning appeals in the area had found in favour of development.

The third Blunsdon ward councillor, Alan Bishop, is a member of the committee.

He was not in favour of the scheme but seconded a proposal to approve the scheme.

He said: “The road where these houses would be built is already congested.

"But we all know that we wouldn’t have a chance if we refused permission and we were taken to appeal, because of the lack of a five-year housing supply.

“This has to be a damage limitation development, and I suggest we approve it.”

His Conservative colleague Nick Martin said: “We don’t seem to be able to refuse very much these days.”

A condition that special bricks allowing swifts to nest will be incorporated into the houses was added.

Councillors voted 11 to two to approve the scheme.