Open land on a former gold course owned by Swindon Borough Council on the edge of Highworth is crucial for the health and wellbeing of many in the town, councillors were told.

And they were urged to remove it from the council’s draft local plan, which says 30 per cent of the site between Swindon and Cricklade Road south of the town could be used for 350 houses.

April Thrush handed in a petition signed by more than 4,500 people against it being earmarked for housing.

She told councillors: “I might be a single voice now, but I’m backed by the louder voice, that of 4652 people - 56 per cent of the town’s residents who signed the petition. They voted for you thinking you would act on their behalf.”

Ms Thrush said it was the third of the golf course closest to Highworth that had been added to the plan and that was the worst place it could be for people who use it.

“The top 30 per cent is flat and accessible and is offers people a better quality of life. Elderly people can use it because it is accessible from town. It is used by a whole community, many using it three or four times a week, not hundreds of people, but thousands.

The fields below are a much more sloping landscape and less accessible. This plan would destroy the accessibility and push green open space yet further away from the town centre.”

She added: “The space is not only beautiful but restorative. We should be investing in landscape because it cuts increasing healthcare costs.

Ms Thrush received applause as she concluded: “Please think again and keep Highworth Golf Course green.”

The council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure and planning, Gary Sumner said he understood the feelings of Highworth residents but added: “The revised plan will go before cabinet next week, and then council in December, and if members agree will be sent to the planning inspector. There will be an examination in public where I hope your voice will be heard. It is not for this council to decide whether the plan is sound, but for the inspector.

He added: “To arbitrarily remove something from the plan because your bit of green space is more important than somebody else’s piece of green would not be fair or professional.”

The three ward councillors, all Conservatives who would normally be expected to support the administration, spoke against the inclusion of the land and either voted with Labour councillors or abstained on a vote on the petition which was passed by Conservative members.