Plans to build more than 100 houses on green fields on the edge of Swindon have upset neighbours, who say their privacy will be destroyed.

Refuse collection firm Hills has already got planning permission to build houses on the field the company owns behind Woodland View in north Wroughton – and it has just submitted a new application asking for a minor amendment of the layout of the houses agreed in February 2018.

Its plans show the houses would be arranged in a rough reverse L shape along the southern and eastern boundaries of the site – with a cricket pitch and pavilion taking up most of the site.

The homes in the southern part of the site would be close to Burderop Close and The Mountings off Lister Road.

But it is the houses along the eastern edge of the plot which are causing most concerns –particularly those living at Clyde Cottages. They are worried the houses to be built behind their homes will totally overlook them, especially if a line of trees is cut down.

David Abbott, who lives in one of the cottages, said: “This development will have an incredibly negative and demonstrably harmful impact to my quality of life and that of my neighbours.

“The land it will be built on is approximately 10-15 feet higher than Clyde Cottages. Any property built on this land will therefore overshadow our houses, removing all semblance of privacy that we have and in addition removing our access to sunlight at the end of the day

"Residents of this street, who will now have new build houses looming over us at all times.”

Mr Abbott is also worried about the fate of a clear strip of land at the rear of the cottages used for access by the inhabitants, as well as trees behind this strip.

Hills’ plans show the houses to be built will back directly onto it, and suggest the trees will be removed. It says the access strip will be retained, although narrower and the plans describe it as being owned by Hills.

Mr Abbott said the company shouldn’t claim right to the land, and shouldn’t make it narrower

He said: “According to the land registry documents that I have in my possession they have zero right to claim this land.

“The trees are not only pleasant to look at, but also provide shelter for birds and improve the local habitat. The front of our property has no such views so we require this view of the trees as without them we have nothing.

“I see nothing in the plans to protect this tree barrier, which can only lead me to conclude that the developer intends to bring them down.”

Steven Smallman, director of Hills’ planning agent Pro Vision, said: “These issues were raised and debated when the original application was made, and the borough council gave consent. The new application is suggesting a very minor amendment to the original permission.”