THE Front Garden Action Group in Swindon is bloody but unbowed after it lost its High Court battle against Swindon Borough Council to prevent homes being built on the large tract of land to the south of Swindon.

But chairman Terry King said it still aims to minimise the environmental impact of whatever building work goes ahead.

He said he is optimistic that the £11,000 FRAG was ordered to pay towards the council's court costs will be found.

Mr King and 11 of the group's committee members met at the King's Arms Hotel in Swindon's Old Town to discuss the impact of the High Court judgement.

Mr King said afterwards: "There are a number of things in Mr Justice Ouseley's 53-page decision document which we want to discuss with Swindon Borough Council, the developers and their consultants.

"In particular, one paragraph says the council must take into account any unforeseen items that crop up.

"Any issue that comes up between the time of the judge's decision and the renewed planning application must be considered."

Mr King said FRAG intended to monitor issues such as potential flooding of the Front Garden, environmental concerns and the question of how much of the land could be used to build homes if a new football stadium was also to be sited there.

Swindon Town hopes eventually to build a new ground near the West Swindon junction of the M4, which would double up as a sports and leisure centre.

Mr King said: "We have also decided that, whatever happens, we would like to preserve as much of the land as possible as a country park area."

FRAG has already paid £13,000 towards its own legal bill of about £20,000 for the hearing, and Mr King believes there are sufficient funds to cover the deficit.

However, that still leaves a possible £11,000 to be paid towards Swindon Council's costs the figure was set as a maximum by the judge.

Mr King said members of the committee, along with other supporters, had pledged to try to meet the costs.

Following the High Court judgement, Tim Lawrence, director of Bryant Developments, released a statement.

It said: "We welcome the High Court decision. This will clear the way for positive action to be taken to rectify the housing black hole problem which has existed in Swindon for many years. There has already been a shortfall of approximately 5,000 houses of those outlined by the approved county structure plan, a figure which is projected to increase further in the next few years.

"We look forward to progressing our plans for the southern development area.

"All our plans have been on hold and this decision effectively gives us the green light to press on with our proposals. We look forward to working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to say that we appreciate that the Front Garden Action Group (FRAG) has invested a lot of time and money in this challenge, but Bryant Homes has no intention of adding to its financial problems and will not be seeking costs against it.

"We hope it will respect the decision and work with us, rather than against us, in the future to produce the best development for the area."