ANGER has erupted following Swindon Council's decision to sign the legal agreement for the Front Garden development.

The Campaign To Protect Rural England is furious the council is allowing plans to go ahead without waiting for a report from an independent planning inspector.

Charmian Spickernell of CPRE thinks the only way to get the council to listen to them is by holding a judicial review.

Plans for the Front Garden have been given the green light. The council has already approved the £4 million tunnel, which will form a link from Croft Road, in Old Town, to Hay Lane, south of junction 16, as part of the development.

But Mrs Spickernell thinks Swindon Council has acted with haste.

She asked the councillors at an annual council meeting last week why they refused to wait.

She said: "I was amazed when I found out the legal agreement had been signed.

"I didn't believe they would actually sign it before the report came back."

"They must be the only authority in the country that pays for a local planning inquiry and doesn't wait for the outcome."

The CPRE thinks a road, which would cross the railway, is a better option.

Mrs Spickernell wants the council to consider a route more beneficial to the town.

"It would relieve the traffic from Kingshill and Old Town," she said.

The CPRE will now seek legal advice to determine whether a judicial review would help their fight.

Mrs Spickernell said: "We can't just say it's all over now. I feel we have to fight on.

"We are coming up for council elections next year. I think the people of Swindon need to be better served.

"The council waited for the General Election to be over but did not wait for the planning report.

"We are fighting for democracy and we will not stand for this iron curtain they are putting in front of us."

Gavin Calthrop, a Swindon Council spokesman, said: "The link road is part of this plan but the item was considered on January 20, 2004 as part of the application.

"This application went through a rigorous process of consultation and statutory planning processes.

"It was approved by the council's planning committee and then referred to the Secretary of State, as all such large scale developments are.

"His decision was that the planning committee could determine the application so the approval stood.

"So, while the link road may be the subject of objections as part of the Local Plan inquiry, the planning decision cannot be overturned." Work will start on the Front Garden in May 2006 and will include new homes, schools, a community centre and sports centre.

Lyndsay Scanlan