15141/1MP James Gray has described developer Wainhomes' decision to replace a controversial spiked metal fence in Wootton Bassett as a victory for people power.

The decision follows a month of fierce lobbying by Mr Gray and residents of Vowley View after the 6ft high fence was put up on local beauty spot Brynard's Hill in early December.

In a statement to the Gazette, Stephen Owen, chairman of Wainhomes North West, said: "Following representations from the town council, Wainhomes proposes to remove the fencing panels and replace the panels with a chain link form of fencing.

"However should the chain link fencing become vandalised Wainhomes reserves the right to return to the current form of fencing."

Mr Owen said the changes to the fence on Brynard's Hill near Vowley View would take place this week.

The decision to alter the fence, which Mr Owen insists was not due to the Mr Gray's lobbying, came a day after Wainhomes unveiled its development proposals for Brynard's Hill at the town council's planning committee meeting on Thursday.

The proposals include up to 70 houses on five acres of land nearest to Vowley View, an extension of the Interface Business Park and development of a 60 acre country park with car park.

But in an unruly meeting more than 30 angry residents continued to voice their displeasure about the fence, saying it had been put up for no other reason than spite.

Coun Chris Wannell suggested Wainhomes altered the fence as a sign of goodwill which the developers subsequently agreed to do on Friday.

After the meeting Mr Owen said: "We feel that the benefits for the whole of Wootton Bassett need to be taken into account rather than the 11 people that look over the fence.

"But all they wanted to talk about was the fence, which I thought was rather selfish."

On hearing Wainhomes' decision Mr Gray said: "This stage of the battle has been won and that is certainly testament to people power."

On the development proposals for Brynard's Hill he said: "My instinct is to oppose the development and I told them that as long as the fence remained there I would oppose their plans in Wootton Bassett and anywhere else in my constituency."

Vowley View resident Georgina Mason, 44, said: "I think it's really really good news that they've decided to change the fence.

"I would prefer it if there was no fence at all but in view of everything that has gone before this is a good result. I really really hope that the development doesn't go ahead and I'm aware of what's in the local plan and the housing requirement has been met. It would be a terrible shame to go beyond that and develop on a green site."

Wainhomes has failed to obtain planning permission for previous developments at Brynards Hill on three occasions. At the meeting councillors raised their concerns about the current development proposals and requested a detailed development brief.

Audrey Wannell, chair of the planning committee, said: " People are objecting because they want it all to be left as open space but people in Wootton Bassett need somewhere to live. We must look at the overall picture. It's no good making a quick grab for something we need to think of what we need for the next 50 to 60 years."