A SENIOR councillor has come under fire from her opponent over a perceived U-turn on development in Wroughton.

In May, Cathy Martyn, the Conservative borough council cabinet member for housing and public safety, won her seat in the village.

Now Liberal Democrat candidate Jamie Taylor says she should step down.

He says Coun Martyn promised to “protect Wroughton” from over-development and said she would oppose “more development which is outside the Wroughton Neighbourhood Plan”.

But now the Conservative-run council is consulting on a new local plan with four sites in Wroughton – outside the village’s neighbourhood plan – earmarked for development

Mr Taylor called for Coun Martyn to resign in a letter: “I urge you to step down, creating a by-election where you can face the electorate on your new position on development in Wroughton.

“This time round be honest with the electorate about what your views are and stick to them.”

But Coun Martyn has hit back, saying Mr Taylor was “naive”. She said landowners were able to put forward sites for consideration, and at the initial consultation she and fellow ward councillor Brian Ford were able to help villagers have some removed from the plan.

Now that the four sites in question, to the north and east of the village, are suggested for the draft local plan, she said: “It is right to bring a consultation of this local significance to residents’ attention and encourage them to have their say, whatever their views. That is what I did.

“Sometimes it is better to think longer before speaking – even if you are trying to make political capital out of something we, as ward members, are entitled to comment upon, but where we are not the decision makers.

“As councillors and Wroughton residents, Coun Ford and I campaign and encourage people to get involved – that’s the responsible action. We will also be sending in a response to the consultation.”

Comments on the plan can be made

by email to forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk by 5pm on Monday September 23.