Ref. 30986-86Kevin shoesmith took a walk on Swindon's Front Garden before the diggers move in

AS the clouds darken and the rain falls over the Front Garden I stumble on a reminder of Swindon's steam past.

Chiselled into a stone block positioned on the side of a pathway overlooking the site is the simple message: 'A ghost is growing'.

In less than 18 months this very spot could be just that a place where families once picnicked and where couples strolled lazily on Sunday afternoons.

As I pause to take in the panoramic views, a squirrel runs out of a thorny hedgerow, searching for food.

Like residents who live nearby and the scores who use this cycle path each day, wildlife too will fall victim to a massive development that will see the creation of 4,500 new homes.

For seven years campaigners have fought tooth and nail to protect this green oasis.

But Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott under fire to build more houses for Britain's soaring population has now rubber-stamped the council planning committee's earlier decision, as reported in Saturday's Adver.

Just last month, protesters marched to the centre of Swindon, hoping to send a clear message to Downing Street.

Now it appears to have all been for nothing.

Not long after my encounter with the squirrel I spot Bert Smith, 70, from Adelaide in Australia.

Over here visiting family, Bert had popped out for a breath of fresh air.

He believes town planners are making a big mistake.

"It's absolutely disgusting what they are doing to this town," said Bert, who lived in Swindon for almost 30 years before heading back to his native Australia in the 1980s.

"And this certainly won't encourage people to visit the place.

"When I lived here the area north of Swindon around Purton and Haydon Wick was all fields.

"Wiltshire is a beautiful county yet more and more of these important green spaces are vanishing.

"Swindon's boundaries were set years ago, now the councillors want to rip it all up, destroying everything."

As we talk, two Lycra-clad cyclists thunder by, forcing us to move to the side of the track.

Bert uses those seconds to scan the scenery.

"This is a special and beautiful place there's no way houses should be built here," he adds before continuing his walk.

For Rosalind Hughes, 31, of Field Rise just a few feet from the path the Front Garden takes on a literal meaning.

"Each morning I can look out of my window and see all this beautiful countryside in a few months I will be seeing rooftops instead," she says as she calls her German Shepherd to heel.

"I've only lived here two years now this is coming. It will look horrible."

Rosalind also has concerns for the local wildlife.

"I'm really worried about the impact of this on the animals.

"The whole area is packed with foxes, rabbits and deer. When these houses get built they will be pushed towards the motorway."

With the clouds giving way to sunshine, I stop for a moment and sit down on a bench at the side of the path. Only then do I appreciate just how near this green spot complete with grazing cattle is to the hustle and bustle of Old Town and the M4.

Dominating the foreground to my left is the futuristic-looking Nationwide headquarters.

A runner, who introduces himself as Alei Duan a 31-year-old employee of the finance giant says this area should be preserved for all to enjoy.

"I like coming here once or twice a week because it's so quiet.

"It's not a good idea to build on this area and I'm sure the residents are not happy about it either."

Grandfather Ralph Robertson, 70, from Mill Lane, Old Town, is another who believes it is important to preserve green areas, particularly for future generations.

"A lot of people like to criticise Swindon but within five minutes you can be out in the country.

"I have an eight-month-old grandson and the views will be nowhere near as nice for him as it is for me right now," he said.

Out for a stroll was Terry Messenger, 55, father of Swindon-born model Melinda. He reckons the council has little choice but to build on the land.

Walking his dog, Lottie, along the cycle path, Terry, who lives in Shrivenham Road, says the town must look to the future.

"I used to be able to look out of my window and see Christ Church at then top of Old Town now I see a brick wall. But I am not angry about it.

"I love coming down here on a Sunday to get away from the hustle of Old Town. It's so peaceful.

"But if houses need to be built then they have to be. We are better off building them near to a motorway."

Kevin Shoesmith