A row could be brewing between Swindon and Wiltshire Councils over the way both authorities are developing their patches.

Two Swindon Conservatives, Brian Ford of Wroughton and Marry Courtliff of Lydiard and Freshbrook, have raised a motion that if passed would see the Labour cabinet required to "strenuously object" to the development plans of Wiltshire Council - the neighbouring authority run by the Conservatives.

The local plan being put together by Wiltshire Council identifies Royal Wootton Basset, just a 10-minute drive from Swindon but across the border into the Wiltshire authority, and in easy commuting distance, as a prime site for expansion.

The town is described as a focus for growth, being “the largest settlement in the area with reasonable employment opportunities and service and facilities”.

The plan accounts for 1,230 new homes and 6.9 hectares of employment land.

The motion says Swindon is also growing to its south west, and has invested in upgrades to infrastructure, particularly at Junction 16 of the M4, needed for the 4,500 homes being built at Wichelstowe.

The motion says: “The Wiltshire Council draft Local Plan promotes substantial development at Wootton Bassett and that other recent proposals include a potential motorway service station at Junction 16. Land is also promoted between Windmill Hill and Hook.

“Employment land and a potentially unrequired ‘Park and Ride’ site exist within the consented Wichelstowe site and a substantial potential employment site is being brought forward at Wroughton Park & Ride on Pipers Way."

Cllr Ford is concerned that the council ensure "that our planned growth and improved infrastructure is not compromised by unplanned growth, at a time when additional Government funding is unlikely and that existing employment sites are used before any additional greenfield sites are considered”.

His motion adds: “The Wiltshire Local Plan allows for further development between Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett including development at J16 of the M4 thereby increasing pressure on the local infrastructure.”

The motion, if passed, would require Cllr Small to “make strenuous objections to Wiltshire’s growth which will affect our infrastructure and will not benefit Swindon”.

It should be noted that this is a Conservative motion and will need support from Labour councillors to become official Swindon council policy - so may not come to pass at all.

Wiltshire Council has not responded to a request for comment.

Councillors will debate and vote on the motion at the full council meeting at 7pm on Thursday, November 23.