SWINDON councillors have sent a near unanimous message to Wiltshire Council’s planning body – say no to the planning application to build more homes near Lydiard Park.

The proposal by house builder Taylor Wimpey would see 48 homes built on land south of Tewksbury Way, within sight of the popular picturesque destination.

Residents are fiercely opposed to the idea and have been campaigning since plans initially began to surface over a year ago - now Swindon’s councillors have formally added their voice.

Although it is the people of Swindon who would be directly impacted by the new development, it falls within the boundaries of Wiltshire Council and is thus ultimately a decision for their planning committee.

At a meeting of the full council on Thursday night, all but one councillor backed a cross-party motion expressing their firm opposition to the house building plans.

Introducing the motion, Coun Tim Swinyard (Con – Lydiard and Freshbrook) said: “Taylor Wimpey are not proposing to build houses over a bridge, not out of sight, but in full view of St Mary’s church and Lydiard House - we must protect our heritage.

“This land is in Wiltshire, so we must tell out friends across the boundary to join us in opposing this completely unacceptable development.

“This is an issue outside of party politics, it is one on which we must unite – sit back divided and we will see this incredible bit of our history starved by housing, stand up united and we will protect it.”

He was supported by his fellow ward councillor, Labour’s Matthew Courtliff, who seconded the motion and reiterated his intention to support the residents in their opposition to housing developments on the land around Lydiard.

Officers from the borough’s planning department had registered an official objection to the proposals with their Wiltshire colleagues.

The motion was passed almost unanimously, with just one councillor choosing to abstain.

Taylor Wimpey’s plans have already been criticised by local MPs Robert Buckland and James Gray as well as both the community groups vying to take control of Lydiard Park and House from the council next year.

Mr Buckland said: “This is an unwelcome proposal right on the doorstep of the historic Lydiard House and Country Park.

“It is not in accordance with the local plan and should be resisted.”

Chairman of the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust, Mike Bowden, said: “Lydiard is a special place, it is our heritage, a country park not an urban park.

“We must fight hard to keep it that way.”