A plan to knock down lock-up garages in a narrow street in Old Town and build a house on the site has been refused permission.

Developer Paul Mabberley proposed earlier this year to demolish the row of five garages on the western side of Winifred Street near the junction with St Margaret’s Road.

In their place, they wanted to build a two-storey, one-bedroom house with an integrated garage on the ground floor and a small courtyard outdoor space.

Plenty of neighbours wrote to planners at Swindon Borough Council objecting to the idea.

One said: “Approving this application would set a dangerous precedence in allowing residents to turn garages at the end of their garden into a residential dwelling.

"St Margaret’s Road and Winifred Street are narrow roads, with parking on both sides, and are already overcrowded.

"Adding further residential dwellings into this area will impact all residents with further overcrowding.”

And the Old Town Residents’ Association wrote: “The key issue is that this is effectively infill or building on gardens. We are really scared that an already full urban area of terraced streets will see a flurry of similar copycat applications to build on every large garden. We do not have space or facilities, please say no to this application.

South Swindon Parish Council and borough ward councillor Jane Milner-Barry also objected, as did the council’s own highway department, urban design officer and drainage engineer.

All of this carried weight with the Euclid Street planners.

Their report said: “The proposed dwelling, due to its siting, scale and plot size, represents inappropriate infill development which does not harmonise with the existing character and context of the area.

“In failing to reflect or positively enhance the character and form of the surrounding area, the proposed development would have a negative effect upon the character and appearance of the area due to the cramped nature of the proposal that would constitute overdevelopment of the site.”

Mr Mabberly had made a similar application to knock down the lock-ups and build a house in 2021. That was withdrawn after receiving similar levels of opposition.

He is able to appeal against the council’s decision and take the matter to a government-appointed planning inspector.