A DEVELOPER'S proposal to re-site the University of Bath's planned new campus from a site near the Great Western Hospital to land at Stratton St Margaret has been dismissed.

Housing firm David Wilson Estates has unveiled plans to build the new university campus, science park and up to 2,000 homes on a piece of farming land on the River Cole at the junction of the A419 and A420 near Stratton St Margaret.

The university is currently working on a long-term project to build a full undergraduate campus on a site near the Commonhead Roundabout between the Great Western Hospital and Coate Water. The developer says its proposal is better for the environment than a site which borders one of Swindon's most popular outdoor parks.

But a spokesman for the University of Bath in Swindon said the institution will not be switching its attention from the Commonhead site.

University spokes-woman, Sue Pycroft, said: "The University of Bath thanks David Wilson Estates for their interest, but at the moment we believe the Commonhead site to be the best one.

"We are continuing to talk with the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust about the links that could be made if we are near the Great Western Hospital, as well as consulting with other partners and stakeholders. However, we are very mindful that Coate Water is an environmentally impor-tant area and would like to re-assure residents that our proposed develop-ment, far from encroaching on that area, would provide Coate Water with a buffer zone which would protect it."

Ian Biddulph of David Wilson Estates, said: "Our plans would result in Swindon getting the university it wants without the damage to the environment that would come by the development of Coate on this scale.''

Veteran campaigner, Terry King, 76, of the Front Garden Action Group said: "Our view is that the university should be built as closely as possible to the town centre, which would bring the area to life and overcome the social and transport problems of a greenfield site.''

North Star near the Oasis would make tremendous sense."

The builder will then hope to gain planning permission for housing by offering the town something worth having, in this case land for a university campus.

"This is one of several sites suggested for the university and we, along with several other residents groups, are against all greenfield development.