A plan to build 1,500 houses close to Coate Water has been thrown out by Swindon Borough Council.

Last night planners described an application by the developer, the Swindon Gateway Partnership, as “fundamentally flawed” and “a travesty”.

Members of the committee voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the application.

The council’s decision will now be passed on to a planning inspector, who will have the final say on the scheme at a public inquiry in February.

The inquiry is the result of an appeal lodged by the developers with the Secretary of State because Swindon Council had not made a decision about building plans for the site.

Councillors expressed frustration that the planning committee was not given the opportunity to make the final decision, and that the Gateway partnership had failed to turn up to the meeting.

Coun Mark Edwards said: “I personally believe it is a disgrace that such an important decision is going to the Secretary of State and taking away this council’s right to make planning decisions that are right for Swindon.”

Other councillors agreed, and added that the application by the Gateway Partnership was flawed on a number of levels.

Coun Russell Holland said: “This is the most inappropriate application I have ever seen. I am not surprised that the applicant has chosen not to represent itself here tonight.”

Coun Vera Tomlinson said: “In Swindon we are doing more than enough to support this government’s policy on house building.

“We know that houses are needed for the expansion of the population and we have played our part, by approving applications which benefit Swindon.

“However Coate Water is an area of exceptional natural beauty, of which Swindon is justifiably proud.

“There are other areas where developers can chase the pound signs – Coate Water is not one of them.”

Speaking after the meeting, Save Coate campaigners said they were upbeat and were now focusing their energies on preparing for the public inquiry on February 10.

Jean Saunders said: “I think it was a wonderful decision by the councillor and I was pleased to hear their support for Coate Water.

“We will continue to rally public support ahead of the public inquiry. I think it is difficult for people to understand the planning process, which seems heavily weighted in favour of developers.”

Felicity Cobb said: “Our mood is really very positive.

I’m sure that I could get another 10,000 signatures for the petition against the development, which already has almost 52,000 names.”