A CONTROVERSIAL plan for more than 100 homes in Wroughton has been given the green light.

Despite neighbours’ fears over road safety, parking and flooding councillors gave approval for the design and layout of a new estate on green fields near Marlborough Road.

But only after strongly criticising developer Bellway Homes.

The company won approval after an appeal to the secretary of state, having had its proposals for the site directly to the south of the Ridgeway Hospital turned down by Swindon Borough Council.

That approval was in outline only so the details had to be approved by the council’s planning committee.

Councillors and neighbours of the 103-home scheme were aligned in their worries about the layout – and anger at what they said was poor communication from Bellway.

Damon Murphy said the apartments at the north east of the site would take away his privacy.

He said: “In my case they will see into my bathroom. The raised elevation will mean new residents have a view into my neighbour’s dining room, this is a clear violation of our privacy.”

Mr Murphy said he had managed to sell his house but the buyer pulled out because of worries of being overlooked by houses in the new development.

People living in Wroughton and councillors said the company had not taken up the offer of several meetings.

Ward councillor Brian Ford said: “When there was a wildlife survey of the site, neighbours knew nothing about it, and were understandably concerned to see people with torches wandering around a site where there is no public access and called the police.”

He said one of the staff conducting the survey had been rude to a neighbour.

Bellway Homes’ agent Lee Mullens said the company was perfectly willing to meet with councillors and neighbours.

Deputy chairman of the committee Nick Burns-Howell said there were not enough good planning grounds to refuse the application – especially as the principle of the development had already been approved.

He asked for a condition to be added that Bellway must work with planning officers and ward councillors on a detailed communications plan to keep residents informed, and to try and alleviate their concerns about the plan.

The motion to approve the application, with the condition attached, was approved narrowly.

A Bellway spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with Swindon Borough Council throughout the planning of our new homes in Wroughton to ensure we are meeting the needs of local people.

“We have considered representations regarding the design and layout of the development and have made some revisions to our plans as part of the process.

“Where possible, we have also attended meetings to listen to and address the views and concerns of local people.”