Calls have been made for Swindon Borough Council to push forward with protecting a former golf course once threatened by housing.

A group of Conservatives put forward a motion to council last October asking the Labour-run council to ‘to designate the former Highworth golf course as the borough’s sixth country park’.

Because the motion involved council assets it was deferred to a future cabinet meeting for discussion.

But the matter has not yet been on any cabinet agenda since then, and the members for Blunsdon & Highworth - all Conservatives - say they want action.

Councillor Vijay Manro, who proposed the motion, said: “Labour have had six months to look at our motion and to discuss our proposal to ensure that the golf course site is designated as a park in order to preserve it as undeveloped, open and accessible green space for the future generations of Highworth and the wider borough.

“A number of species of conservation importance have been noted including water voles, hares, badgers, bats, frogs and an abundance of different species of birds, butterflies and insects. This land needs our protection.”

Councillor Steve Weisinger seconded the motion and he added: “The Labour cabinet has pledged to build 20,000 more homes across the borough and I am fearful that Highworth, along with Wroughton the other more rural locality in the borough, will be obvious targets for these houses.”

The third member for Nick Gardiner “This administration needs to start making decisions otherwise it will be another year of inactivity for Swindon’s residents.

“The only things the cabinet seems capable of announcing are those projects where the previous Conservative administration made a decision and found the funding to do – the Coate splash park and cafe, Mobiloos, the new home of the Museum and Art Gallery at the Civic.

"Come on Labour, the election is over, you’ve started your second year in power – start making some decisions of your own and do the right thing by the people of Highworth.”

A spokesman for the Labour administration said: “We understand the desire from Highworth residents to have the land gifted to them, and we are actively investigating the options available to us.

“We want to ensure we make the right decision for the borough and deliver the best solution for all stakeholders.

“It is disappointing to see the Conservative councillors prefer to engage through the media in such negative terms, rather than coming to speak to us but we are happy to discuss the issue with them at any point.”