A UNITED front has been formed in opposition to what could be a landmark ruling for development on the borders of treasured heritage site Lydiard Park.

A public meeting was called on Wednesday, with MPs Robert Buckland and James Gray, community groups Shaw Resident's Association and Friends of Lydiard Park and councillors from Swindon and Wiltshire, speaking with one voice.

The eventual decision over an otherwise insignificant 50-home proposal from Taylor Wimpey would be critical, it was said, due to the immense heritage value of the site, and the fact it flies in the face of the newly formed Wiltshire Core Strategy, with the ink barely dry on the document.

"The purpose of having the core strategy was to hand down to local authorities the ability to decide how many houses and schools they need, and where they should be built," said Mr Gray, MP for North Wiltshire.

"If that has not become the planning bible, there would be no point in having the document in the first place.

"At appeal the Planning Inspector will not be considering the heritage asset, but whether or not Wiltshire Council act within the law if they reject it.

"Now we have the core strategy it will be far more likely the inspector will agree with the council. I think then developers will realise there is not much point in going to appeal, because the chances are they would lose.

"I think we are on the right side of the law in opposing this."

As part of the plans, Taylor Wimpey have said they will give 89 per cent of their land to the community.

Kevin Fisher, chairman of the Shaw Residents Association, said the gift was a red herring.

"We have only recently heard about the new vision for Swindon, and if we allow part of our heritage to be destroyed so early in this vision, it will have failed," he said.

"The 89 per cent they are saying they will gift away is either within the boundaries of the listed park, so they will never get permission to build there, or would coalesce Swindon with Lydiard Millicent, or it's on a flood plain."

"They could only ever build 50 houses on that land with the best will in the world. They are using it as a ploy to get the public on side."

Mike Bowden, chairman of the Friends of Lydiard Park, added: "We want this to be seen as a united and cohesive group who say we recognise houses need to be built, but there are now strategies showing where we want to build.

"Not a single house should be built in that area. Let us not allow jurisdictional boundaries preventing us from opposing this application.

"This is a pivotal application. If this is passed it will open the floodgates.

"We know there are many other local landowners who have options to develop, and if this one goes through it's going to be very difficult to run any coherent argument to turn down future applications."

Robert Buckland, South Swindon MP, said: "It is really important the principles underlying the Local Plan are very much supported.

"This is one of a number of applications facing us in Swindon which represents a concerted attempt to undermine those plans.

"I think we have to act, and we need to oppose this application for strategic reasons as well as emotional reasons."

A petition is being circulated for users of the park and residents who wish to object to the application, expected to be lodged by October.

Taylor Wimpey, who did not attend, has previously said it is aware of the sensitive nature of the area.

To sign the petition, email Coun Tim Swinyard, (Con, Lydiard and Freshbrook), on timswin@hotmail.com.