A MEETING against the building of houses at the former Headlands school fell apart when council officers realised they weren’t allowed to be there and left.

Stratton St Margaret Parish Council hosted the meeting last night to raise objections against the plans.

The plans propose that the playing fields beside Swindon Academy, which is due to move to Beech Avenue in 2009, would give way to 200 new homes, while green space would be added to the school site.

The Baptist Church in Upper Stratton was packed with angry residents hoping to question council officers last night. A few officers turned up expecting to meet with parish councillors only, but when they found out the public were present, they left saying they needed a cabinet member’s permission to answer residents.

They had thought it was a meeting with parish councillors only.

The letter inviting officers and Swindon councillors said residents would be expressing their views at the meeting so the Parish Council was mystified over the crossed wires.

“I don’t understand how they misunderstood this,” said Stratton St Margaret parish councillor Martyn Cook.

St Philip’s ward councillor David Sammels said: “It was a technicality. They have to get permission from a cabinet member. It is just as disappointing for me.”

The parish council got a couple of applauses during the meeting, as it is outlined 18 objections for the proposals on Headlands Grove and Merton Fields.

Swindon Council also proposes to build playing fields on Merton Fields, which is currently a park.

Mr Cook said: “We got no prior notification of what Swindon Council was planning. The Parish Council is a legal entity and should be consulted on this.

“We think it is shortsighted of Swindon Council not to talk to us about what they were planning to do. One of the big issues is that we rent Merton Fields to keep it as an open space.”

Stratton St Margaret parish council chairman Peter Owen told residents: “As far as the Parish Council is concerned we are behind you left right and centre.

“We are trying to get more open space as a parish council and we get no support from Swindon Council.”

St Philip ward councillor David Sammels – who was the only Swindon Borough councillor present, was accused of not representing residents interests. But he said he was also against the plans along with fellow ward and conservative councillors Sinead Darker and Paul Findlow.

Mr Sammels said: “All three of the borough councillors are against the proposals.

“We were only told about the changes to the original planning proposal about a week and a half before the public. It is simply not appropriate for the area.”