SWINDON Town supporters will have their first chance to view plans for the club's new 22,000 all-seater stadium next week.

Initial plans of the ground and proposed sports village for the Shaw Tip site will be on show at both the County Ground and Roughmoor Social Hall in West Swindon.

It marks the start of the promised public consultation exercise into the scheme.

While Town supporters have reacted enthusiastically to the proposals, some residents in the vicinity of the site have been swift to voice their opposition.

One councillor has even threatened to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop the development if necessary.

Two dates have now been announced for the public to view the plans put forward by the club and St Modwen Properties Plc for the sports village scheme and the redevelopment of the County Ground.

The plans and representatives from St Modwen and Swindon Town will be at Rushmoor Social Hall on Thursday, April 29 between 2pm and 8pm and the County Ground on Thursday May 6 between 1pm and 8pm.

As well as a new football stadium, the scheme could include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, cricket and rugby pitches and a greyhound track.

Town's current home is earmarked for 400 new houses.

Town chief executive Mark Devlin said: "Hopefully people will make full use of this opportunity to engage in the process and examine in a little more detail what is being proposed.

"I think some of the views expressed have been based on raw emotion so far.

"This public consultation is a chance for people to talk to those involved in the scheme and to ask questions.

"All we asked at the start was for people to keep something of an open mind until they had a chance to view what is being proposed for themselves. That remains the case."

Speaking at the scheme launch last month, Devlin said: "This is more than just for people who support the club, it is for people who want to see something that will give the community a heart beat, which I think this complex will."

Bill Oliver, Managing Director of St Modwen Properties Plc, said: "Our plans are at an initial stage and we will be pleased to meet with the community to hear their views".

Jon Ritson