New executive houses in the back gardens of homes in Stratton will be built with the blessing of the neighbours most affected, the developers say.

But while some are fully in favour, some still have concerns.

Developer Fairhurst UK has put in an application for planning permission to build the five detached houses on the back gardens of four houses in Highworth Road, numbers 33 to 36.

But the development would have much more impact on people living in Barrowby Gate, a suburban cul-de-sac in a housing estate to the west of Highworth Road just south of the junction on the A419.

The houses will front on to the end of one of the arms forming the cul-de- sac.

Each of the two-storey detached houses will have four double bedrooms, a double driveway and a single garage.

Fairhurst’s application shows two accesses will be constructed from the end of Barrowby Drive – one for the most southerly two houses, and a second for the other three.

The bid says neighbours were supportive: “In total, five comments were received from residents of Barrowby Gate and Highworth Road.

“Each response was supportive of the proposed scheme, with residents stating that it looks “very attractive” and would be “sympathetic and in keeping with the area”.

The firm said neighbours appreciated the proposed access arrangement, calling it “sensible and safe” to have two private drives to evenly distribute the flow of extra vehicles. It should be highlighted that there were no objections received from the consulted households.”

Two residents, neither of whom wished to be named, said they were in favour. One said: “I was very supportive of the plan when it was put to us. I think they look like fantastic houses.” Another said: “We don’t have a problem with it at all.”

A third, Rob Hostler was less enthusiastic but resigned.

He said: “They look like they’re going to be nice houses, to be fair. But I’m a bit bothered by the two accesses and the disruption that will cause. Five houses with double drives says 10 cars to me, so there’s that to think about.

“There’ll be mud all over the road when they build the houses and it’ll be noisy.

Mr Hostler added: “I wish they hadn’t cut down the hedge and shrubs over a year ago before getting permission to build.

“I suppose we all want things to stay the same and don’t want change, but this is probably the lesser evil of what might have been done.”

Fairhurst UK’s application is on swindon.gov.uk using reference S/21/1278. Comments should be made by Tuesday August 31.