PLANS to build a new £6 million training HQ for Swindon Town FC in Highworth have hit another major setback.

Highworth councillors are still not happy with the proposed development on the site of the former Twelve Oaks Golf Club and once again recommended that the plans be refused.

The proposed football training ground is just one part of a massive complex on the site, bought by Town chairman Lee Power in 2015, that includes a racehorse training centre and a residential estate – which councillors were also against.

Here’s what you said online:

Disillusioned123: Fortunately Highworth Town Council isn’t the decision making body here, it’s Swindon Borough Council who have to take into account the recommendations of professional officers.

HTC object that it is both beyond the settlement boundary and at the same time going to affect neighbouring properties - surely it’s one or the other? And the ‘hilltop setting’ was lost years ago when housing west of St Michael’s avenue was constructed. Lots of very petty objections to what will be a fantastic community resource.

The ‘harm’ will be de minims whilst the benefits will be significant.

In terms of the ‘planning balance’ this is a no brainer.

The J0ckster: The concept and desire to retain development within Highworth because it was deemed a ‘hill-top town’ disappeared ages ago.

This concept has further dissipated with the proposed Redlands development south of the town (even if that is within the so called neighbourhood plan) and the houses that have just been built in Shrivenham Road next to Wrag Barn Golf Club.

There are also proposals for 300 houses opposite the golf club that will likely get approved.

Cllr Murphy’s quote about lack of communication from STFC does as Den says ring true and is pretty much de rigeur for them.

My opinion is: It will be interesting to know the percentage split of ownership between STFC and Power’s personal money. He will develop all he can to increase the value, probably rent some of it back to STFC, sell what he can and clear off back to Geneva with a swollen bank balance.

Clubmannotapubman: “The equestrian centre is quite an unusual set-up with football pitches next to highly-strung racehorses which is a combination which does not seem to go well together.” Is there any evidence to back up that statement councillor Murphy?

john1063: If you go and look at the site you will see that work has already started.

Peter Moor: He’s done a wonderful job at STFC, let’s hope he gets the go ahead here.

Another view: This initial jockeying for position sounds par for the course for any major development. I can’t see how residents of Highworth will be greatly impacted by this, subject to planning approval and whatever limitations SBC impose. The hilltop town concept sounds a bit airy-fairy. Since I moved to Highworth nearly 40 years ago the town has grown in all directions, so most houses, including mine, have ‘spoiled the hilltop town dream’.

Another lunatic: Why can’t Swindon use this site to do their training the way it is? It doesn’t make sense to travel to Calne everyday, it takes 45 mins to get there.

Here’s what you said on Facebook:

Gary Tremblin: Highworth infamously object to almost everything!

Sandra Edmondson: Highworth complains if a tree is about to be cut down!

Phil Baker: The worries about lighting shows a lack of understanding of modern directional lighting. The traffic will not be significant. Hope SBC sees sense.