RESIDENTS of Bishopstone one of the few places on the outskirts of Swindon to have preserved its rural character claim developers will destroy their village if plans to build a mini-estate get the go-ahead.

Members of the 450-strong community, seven miles outside Swin-don, fear beauty and history will count for nothing in the face of a multi-million pound development.

They are battling against developer Bower Mapson, which wants to build four terraced homes, two semi-detached and two detached houses, along with garages, on a patch of land called The Wyncies.

Parish leaders have won the support of civic planners and councillors who say the field, complete with its ancient apple tree, should be protected at all costs.

Rob Clark, vice chairman of the parish council, says development has now reached saturation point in the village of 150 houses.

"Over the last two decades at least 40 new houses have been built," he said. "There is no demand for further large housing here.

"Bishopstone has been asked to absorb an increasing number of new houses and this has meant that its overall beauty and ambience is under threat."

The application to build on the church-owned land was thrown out when Swindon's planning committee met earlier this month but this has not stopped the developers lodging an appeal with the Department of the Environment.

Bower Mapson argues that the land in question lies within the building structure plan, but Mr Clark says the decision to include the area was taken at a time when attitudes were very different.

Mr Clark, 45, of Hockerbench, said: "The more enlightened attitudes we see today are gradually changing the way developments are planned and implemented. We need to keep up pressure until 2004 when the next Local Plan will be adopted."

Mr Clark said that the lack of jobs in the area would mean new inhabitants would have to commute to work resulting in an eventual ghost town during the daytime.

He said: "We have a lovely mix of elderly people and younger families but as the house prices go up the whole village is likely to change. Places like Purton and Lydiard no longer have their own identity as they are surrounded by big estates."

Chairman of Swindon's planning committee, Maurice Fanning, said: "We don't think this development is right for Bishopstone."

Peter Mapson, designer at Stanton Fitzwarren-based developers Bower Mapson, said Bishopstone needed new developments to support facilities such as the village school.

Mr Mapson said: "Our plans will not swamp the village but will put back a balanced mix of houses. It is not wise to keep somewhere in a time warp as it does not prosper.

"Developments are needed to organically grow and add stock and give people choices of where to live.

"I accept that some neighbours will object and that is their right. But the land is in the housing zone of development."