CONCERNED residents turned out in large numbers last night to voice their fears over a planned 1,690 homes for Tadpole Farm in north Swindon.

Around a hundred people were at Oakhurst School for the public meeting organised by the Oakhurst Residents’ Association, chaired by former Swindon councillor, Steph Exell.

People at the meeting spoke of their worries of increased traffic, flooding and the impact on schools and the fear that Oakhurst Way could be used as a thoroughfare to the new development.

No formal planning application for the scheme has yet been made but the meeting comes in advance of a pre-application consultation by Crest, with the developer broadly agreeing the housing figure with Swindon Council. A planning application is expected to come in late spring.

Crest had initially suggested that the site could accommodate up to 2,500 homes but they have opted for a higher quality, low density scheme for the area.

It has said a new link road would take the pressure off Oakhurst Way during the construction phase.

Speaking at the meeting Oakhurst resident, Mrs Exell said: “I am really proud the people of Oakhurst have turned out to show support for its community.

“This development would increase the volume of traffic, increase the risk of flooding and raise safety issues for everyone who uses Oakhurst Way.

“We don’t want Tadpole Farm in the council’s forward planning because once it gets to that stage it is too late.

“We’ve had a lot of people here tonight and we don’t want this and we’ve heard a lot of good planning reasons from you as to why we don’t want it.

“The council expect the application very soon in late spring, early summer, that’s how long the future of this area has.”

Coun Vera Tomlinson, vice chairman of the Swindon Council’s planning committee, also reassured the residents that she would not support the application if it was brought forward to the planning committee.

She said: “We are very concerned about this application if and when it comes.

“We are very much on your side, you elected us to be your voice and we will bring forward your concerns to the council.

“We are taking down all of your comments and we will go through them carefully.”

Phil Smith, planning policy officer for Swindon Council, pointed out there was a need for housing in Swindon.

He said: “We see Tadpole Farm as a suitable site to build a certain amount of houses on.

“New houses are needed in Swindon not to just meet the economic growth but also to meet as I say the indigenous growth, that’s people living longer or having more children.

“There’s always a need for new housing.”