CAMPAIGNERS against plans to demolish one of Old Town's few remaining Edwardian villas have fighting for their cause at a two-day planning inquiry.

Developers want to build flats on the site.

The inquiry is the latest episode in a wrangle between local people and Swindon-based Hannick Homes & Developments over the future of 53 Westlecot Road.

The dilapidated building is a former nursing home.

People living in Westlecot Road and Belmont Avenue were furious when they learned that Hannick Homes had applied to tear down the building and replace it with 24 two- and three-bedroom flats.

They said the building was in a conservation area and that instead of tearing it down, the developers should convert the existing building into flats.

Those objections were listened to: Swindon Council's planning department rejected the application and the building seemed safe.

However, the developers later claimed that the council had broken rules by failing to notify them of the decision within the appropriate time.

On this basis Hannick is appealing against the decision, citing grounds officially known as non-determination.

In a bid to settle the matter once and for all, the Bristol-based Regional Planning Inspector has been called in and a two-day inquiry set up at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street.

The members of Westlecot Residents Association remain determined to protect the building.

They have maintained a presence at the Civic Offices throughout proceedings to voice their concerns.

Spokesman Peter Thomas from Belmont Avenue explained: "There are 25 people attending the inquiry and we will be having our say about the developers' application.

"These plans are so obviously unreasonable.

"At the moment, we have a lot of people looking out of their homes at an Edwardian building built in a conservation area.

"If these flats were to go ahead we'd end up with high buildings, which completely go against the rest of the buildings in the area.

"As it stands, the roof on the existing building is good and there are other Edwardian buildings in the area that have been successfully renovated.

"We cannot understand why the developers cannot do the same to this building."

The developers were unavailable for comment.

The decision of the inspector will be given at a later date.