THE farmland near Coate Water is one of the few remaining green lungs left separating Swindon from the M4.

Now Swindon Council has announced it will be including the fields between the lakes and A419 for development in the latest version of the local plan.

It seems illogical that in an expanding town that has already got thousands of homes lined up to be built, we are told that Coate has to be built on.

The council may be under pressure from the Government to meet house building targets, but it seems a dreadful own goal to decide to nominate this land as next in line for homes.

The area has great historical significance, and it is also attractive farmland and one of the few remaining green fields for people living nearby to enjoy.

The issue will be so hotly debated that it is almost inconceivable that a public inquiry won't be needed to come to make the final decision. Certainly the inevitable protests will throw spanners in the works.

This will delay the process, and put Swindon further behind the house-building targets, leading to more areas needing to be allocated.

This idea is short-sighted and won't help anybody.