HERITAGE and residents’ groups have expressed concerns about proposals to build new homes within the setting of Lydiard Park.

A planning application was initially submitted in October last year but had gone under the radar for months before being noticed by stunned local residents earlier this month.

Such applications would normally result in neighbours and other interested parties being notified alongside a wider public consultation.

Yet for months, none of these steps were taken.

The application, submitted by the owners of Brook Cottage, located on private land adjacent to the dam wall inside the park grounds, would see four substantial ‘executive homes’ built.

Realising that they had just weeks to respond to the proposals, representatives from heritage and residents’ groups contacted the council to challenge the short notice.

Within days of those enquiries, the application disappeared from the council’s planning portal.

The reason for the removal was apparently unrelated to the concerns of residents about notification shortcomings.

Instead it was deemed that the applicant had not provided sufficient information to support the proposals and as a result the application had been classed as invalid.

But the hold-up appears likely to be temporary, as a council officer said that once they are satisfied the required information has been provided, the consultation would begin again.

For key stakeholders around Lydiard Park, this news is concerning, especially coming so soon after they successfully pressured developers Taylor Wimpey into withdrawing a proposal for 48 homes within sight of the much-loved park.

Kevin Fisher, of the Shaw Residents’ Association, described the proposed buildings as “huge” and said they must be opposed.

He added: “As with the Taylor Wimpey application, which saw an unprecedented number of objections from individuals, statutory bodies and experts, this is yet again within the ‘essential setting’ of Lydiard Park and sits right against the Historic England boundary.

“Whilst they wanted 48 houses and this is four, the reasons to object are very similar.

“Lydiard Park is a significant community asset. This application, for what can only be described as huge houses, will harm the historic, rural environment and will be visible from the dam wall within the park and Church Drive.

“Furthermore, should future owners of the homes choose to remove the hedgerow in order to improve their personal view, it will be visible from many other vantage points around St Mary’s Church and Coach House.

“Lydiard Park is a special place. It is our heritage.

“Developers are attacking it from so many directions in pursuit of financial gain at the expense of the social value provided by well preserved heritage sites.

“Should this application be allowed, it will set a precedent for other speculative opportunists.”