Ref. 28497-11THE leader of Swindon council has joined protesters in complaining to the Government about his own authority's conflict of interest.

Councillor Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) is pleading with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to investigate Swindon Council's plans to build 4,500 homes on the controversial Front Garden.

Swindon Council owns about 60 per cent of the Front Garden, and is the body that decides whether to grant planning permission for the houses.

In a letter to Mr Prescott, Coun Bawden wrote: "In view of the significant sum of money the council could expect to generate from the release of this land for development, the public have continued to express serious concerns as to the council's ability to determine the current planning application in a fair and impartial manner.

"I would agree that councillors have a clear and significant conflict of interest.

"There have also been sustained accusations of town cramming on the basis that the level of housing proposed has been increased from 3,800 to 4,500, purely to increase likely revenue to the council by promoting higher densities.

"In the interests of impartiality and local democracy, I would request in the strongest possible terms that you give urgent consideration to 'calling in' this application for your own determination via a public local inquiry."

Coun Bawden hopes the whole proposal can be debated in full under the jurisdiction of an independent planning inspector.

Rather than seeing this as a shot in the foot, Coun Bawden believes his action represents transparent government and "accountability".

The letter has been signed by four other Tory councillors Fionuala Foley (Old Town and Lawn) and the three representatives of Wroughton and Chiseldon ward, Brian Ford, Jemima Milton and William Morton.

In 2002 the Front Garden Action Group (FRAG) lost its battle in a judicial review in the High Court to prevent Swindon Council from pressing on with plans to allow developers to build on 700 greenfield acres sandwiched between Old Town and the M4.

"We have emphasised that noise, flooding, health, pollution and traffic are the main problems," said FRAG chairman Terry King.

"We will fight on and on and only stop once the final contract is signed and sealed. But even then we will make sure anyone living there is well aware of the financial and health implications of doing so."

At a meeting in the Wyvern Theatre at 10am on Tuesday, January 24, the council's planning committee will consider Bryant Homes' blueprint which also features a multi-million-pound prefabricated tunnel under the motorway to take traffic away from the Croft Road area of Old Town along what would become a southern relief road and under the M4.

But the leader of the Labour group, Coun Kevin Small (Western) accused Coun Bawden of misusing his position.

"I find this disturbing," he said. "He is council leader and yet is flying in the face of council policy, adopted by the majority of his members as well as Labour.

"I think he should seriously consider his position if he is not prepared to accept and bide by the collective will of this council."

Michael Litchfield