CAMPAIGNERS fear district councillors will give developers the go-ahead to build homes at Newton Grove playpark at a meeting tonight.

North Wiltshire District Council has already declared its intention to build up to 16 affordable houses with Westlea Housing Association on the former open air pool site at Old Alexander Road.

A leaked report to the Gazette in November revealed the district council also wanted to reduce the size of the play park by half.

But the decision to hold tonight's meeting behind closed doors has raised Newnton Grove playpark committee's fears the children's play area, adjacent to the pool, will be built on, despite assurances from the council it was safe.

Committee spokesman Brian Goswell said: "It does make you wonder what the council has to hide. They may be making a decision that it is controversial to residents and don't want a barracking. The council said it would be an open consultation but it doesn't seem to have happened that way.

District councillor John Thomson also believes the council will be making a controversial decision but because the meeting is in private he cannot comment.

He said: "I cannot discuss this with the people of Malmesbury, but I believe they would not be happy with the proposals. What is so secret about our playground and swimming pool site that the people of Malmesbury cannot have access to the information, or attend the meeting, to voice their concern and to hear the decisions taken in public?"

Residents have been concerned the play park would be completely developed or reduced in size since the council decided to build on the open-air pool in 2002.

Coun Ruth Coleman said the council was looking at a number of options for the future of the old pool site, which had very different outcomes in terms of how much capital would be made, and they involved many other parties.

She said if these were discussed in public it could lead to pressures being brought to bear on members and they want to make the decision on a rational basis. "It would be unusual for a decision involving actual sums of money and individuals to be discussed in public," she said.