PEOPLE living in South Marston fear huge buildings will tower over the tall mature trees at the backs of their gardens when the Honda site is redeveloped.

Those whose homes back on to the fence line with the site – particularly those in Greenfields – are alarmed at what new owner Panattoni hopes to build in an expansion plan costing £700m.

The developer has not put in a formal planning application but it has shown it is looking to build a mixture of industrial and warehousing and logistics buildings - intending to attract companies to the site and bring jobs to Swindon.

But the company’s plans show one building which is worrying people. It is on the very edge of the site, to the east, bordering houses in South Marston.

Panattoni’s plans say it will be up to 25 metres in height and people living there say that is higher than the trees screening their houses from the site. 

One, Mary Case, let balloons out on a 25m-long ribbon to show how high that is – even with the ribbon slanted by the wind, the balloons were visible higher than the trees.

Another neighbour, Sue Floyd, said: “We are not  against progress, we’re not against the redevelopment of the site, and we know lots of people will be pleased because of the jobs it will bring.

“But that building right on the edge of the site behind our houses will be so high, and in winter it will definitely be visible with the leaves off the trees.”

Anne Featherstone said: “We don’t know what use the building will be for – will it be something noisy, will it be getting deliveries all hours of the day and night, with noisy lorries coming in and out?

“Will it be lit up at night? We have a lot off worries.”

Even the site of the building is worrying some. 

Andy Brice said: “It will be built on flood defences, there’s a lagoon right there now, so that’s a big worry. That and security.”

The group of neighbours have noted Panattoni’s wish to open up the site, which is currently behind a barbed wire-topped fence, to allow easier access for people working there, especially by bike or on foot, and for neighbours to enjoy new areas of planting and a memorial garden.

Ms Floyd said: “We’d want to know more about where these walking and cycling routes are – we hope they won’t use the existing road around the site the security uses, which goes right by our fences."

Mr Brice added: “If Panattoni do take down the fence, then everyone living along it will just be putting their own up, so that will be a waste of time. We hope they’ll keep it up.

Another factor for the residents is wildlife. 

Laura Tweedle said the wooded boundary, open rough grassland and the flood lagoon where the building of concern would be built  supports a thriving  population of animals and birds.

She said: “There are snakes and badgers, deer and foxes there, and lots of birds. Panattoni say how they want to make the site greener – it would be a shame if this made it worse for the wildlife.”

Panattoni is looking at the responses it received from the public to its online consultation document.

A spokesman said: “Panattoni is grateful that so many residents took time to take part in our recent consultation exercise. 

"We received extensive feedback on our plans, most of which was positive and welcomed the scale of investment and the potential for significant new job creation. 

"We aware of the concerns raised by South Marston residents.

"We are reviewing feedback and  working to address the issues that have been raised in conjunction with feedback from Swindon Borough Council."