Ref. 28198-04A villager has vowed to fight plans to open a new storage depot.

Swindon Council has received an application to convert Winners Swindon Ltd go-karting, which is housed in a former aircraft hangar on Wroughton Airfield, into a storage and distribution warehouse.

But some people living nearby are adamant that if approval is granted it could open the floodgates for potentially harmful materials to be stored.

Five years ago a residents' action group called Warrior fought plans by an unconnected firm to store meat and bone meal (MBM) on the site.

They feel history could soon be repeating itself despite assurances from the go-karting firm it has no plans to store any harmful materials.

Peggy Dennis, 70, was one of the original campaigners.

She said: "The company is seeking B8 approval, which allows any kind of storage.

"Five years ago we were told by independent planners and professors not to allow that to happen as it would open the floodgate.

"Once they have that permission they can store anything they like.

"While I have breath in my body I will fight to stop that happening."

Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) has contacted Swindon Council's planning department requesting the application goes before the committee.

He said: "There was an application to store bone meal on the site five years ago. We feel that the B8 is too wide a category."

Meanwhile Steve Coen, owner of Winners Swindon Ltd go-karting, which opened in 1998, says he has no definite plans for the hangar.

But he said: "We will not be storing anything that has the potential to harm people or the local economy.

"I would not want MBM or anything like that near me or my family."

Winners Swindon Ltd go-karting will now operate entirely from its other site in Hullavington, near Chippenham.

Mr Coen added: "Some of the local residents have been very upset by the go-karting in recent years. They can't have it both ways. The hangar has to be used for something else."

Catherine Ashby, a senior planning officer, said: "We have sent around 50 letters out to residents informing them of the application.

"I will undertake a site visit to see exactly what is being proposed and if there is an overriding public concern we will look into the history.

"I imagine we will get a few letters from residents."

Kevin Shoesmith