A DISPUTE has broken out over the number of houses that should be built on Swindon's outskirts.

Swindon Council has formally objected to North Wiltshire District Council's Local Plan 2011 - a document which provides a development framework up to that date.

It claims the plan shows an under-provision of 10 per cent for the housing numbers but an over-provision of employment land.

Leader Mike Bawden (Old Town and Lawns) says North Wiltshire District Council should think again about the proposal.

He said: "Swindon already takes the lion's share of the housing allocation for the county and if North Wiltshire under-provide in their plan, the pressure just builds up elsewhere."

Leader of NWDC Ruth Coleman said: "Swindon seems to be in an expansionist mood. They have attacked the rural buffer, which protects us from undue development.

"They are saying we should build more houses to meet their needs. It is up to Swindon to look at their own problems before galloping into north Wiltshire and eating up our green fields."

The leaders of both authorities are due to meet to discuss the issue. The plan is in its first deposit draft and further public consultations will take place before it is formally adopted.