Over 100 residents filled Wanborough Village Hall on Monday evening 20^th April to hear the South Swindon Protection Group bring locals up to speed on the latest development proposal for Inlands Farm, submitted too Swindon BC in February 2026 by the Hussey Family Trust and its agent Turley’s.

John Warr outlined their most recent plan which would see 275 houses on land in the heart of the Area of Non Coalescence, specifically designated by SBC to prevent the precious villages around Swindon from being subsumed into an urban environment.

John and a core team set up the SSPG in 2018, successfully coordinating local objection and opposition for a business and science park by the same parties, on the same site.  Such local concerted effort resulted in a refusal in 2020 by the Secretary of State on appeal.

John outlined the latest proposal off The Marsh side of Inlands Farm that this would bring some 700 residents and about 500 cars with no key amenities - impacting traffic in the village, alongside no spare GP capacity, or primary school places, no safe walking or cycling from the site - meaning a non-sustainable, car dependent commuter area.  There was also the further risk of expansion to the rest of the Inlands farm area along Pack Hill abutting the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

John took everyone through a presentation attached of the key reasons as to why this proposal should be refused

Councillor Gary Sumner, local ward member, explained why developers often continue to submit proposals on the basis that they form arguments that suggest the “need” outweighs any issues and existing Council plans.

In Swindon’s case, the Council has a 4.90 year housing land supply position for the 5 years April 2025 to March 2030.   This is a most healthy position (95%), and yet the proposal is presented as a solution to “a problem.”

 We also have an approved local plan (protecting the area of non-coalescence) which holds good until 2027 so we have at least a couple of years to continue to protect the site.

It was pointed out that a significant amount of money had been invested in attempts for developing this site, and despite previous refusal, they would seek every which way to exploit any chink in the armour of the appeal conclusions. 

John and Gary explained how decisions are based upon planning policy, expert input, public objections.  They emphasised how crucial it was to garner as many objections as possible to counter arguments for the development of this site.  Each local response is recorded, carries weight and can influence the outcome.

The SBC planning committee will be sitting in June and October.  The Swindon Planning officer will make their recommendations to committee a couple of weeks beforehand and will be visible on the planning portal.  This will give key stakeholders, including the SSPG, about 10 days to formulate a response. This to include public presence at the Planning Committee.

Linda Cripps went on to urge people that “their voice matters”.  Objections needed to be;

• Unique – personal to themselves (see key reasons web site link to assist with your thinking).
• Individuals to respond, not just on a household basis.  Each person counts.  Every objection is counted
• Must include planning reference  S/26/0173
• Must include both Name and Address
• Each person can submit an additional objection if new information is uploaded by statutory bodies that carries new concerns to their previous objection.  Eg Environment Agency have identified risks of pollution. Thames Water cannot confirm capacity. 
• Check SBC planning portal for updates searching for Inlands farm or S/26/0173           Link https://pa.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess
• E-mailed to sbcdc@swindon.gov.uk.

There was a healthy Q&A session, with suggestions for additional stakeholder engagement (Surrounding parishes, G W Hospital, GP’s, Schools, etc).

Before everyone left, they signed up to be kept informed, offering to help as part of increased activity/visibility of local resistance, and with offers of assistance to Core SSPG team.

It was a great turnout with total positive support and endorsement of the SSPG, its approach and assessment of the risks and issues.

A big thank you to all who attended – spread the word!!