A STATE of hiatus is persisting over the outcome of the High Court action on the Front Garden develop-ment more than two weeks after the ruling was due.

Swindon Council, the housing developers and protesters from the Front Garden Action Group (FRAG) are all still waiting for a judgement to be made.

The long awaited decision will determine whether the council is allowed to build 3,800 homes and a football stadium on the green fields between Old Town and the M4.

The action was brought by FRAG and Bloor Homes, which have challenged the legality of the council's approval of the scheme.

FRAG has long argued it was not the right place for development, claiming among other reasons that it would result in severe environmental damage and would be unsafe to build houses on.

They have also questioned the decision-making process of the council.

Joined by developer Bloor Homes, the country's largest privately owned house-builder, the group eventually put its case before High Court judge Mr Justice Ouseley earlier this year.

After hearing arguments both for and against the development, the judge announced shortly before the summer recess on the legal calendar that he needed more time to deliver a decision.

The council said in September that it was expecting a ruling before the end of October, but still nothing has been heard.

Riding on the decision is the entire Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan 2011 a blueprint for the development of Swindon and the rest of the county over the next decade.

If the campaigners win their case, the structure plan may have to be jettisoned or re-thought.

It will also play an important role in the future success and boardroom positions at Swindon Town Football Club.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn), who voted against the development as a local ward member, said the delay was becoming frustrating.

"We're now heading for the middle of November, but still no decision has come," he said. "It is not a major problem, because nothing would be able to happen this financial year anyway, but it is frustrating."

FRAG treasurer, John Newman, said: "Our solicitor told us we would hear long before this, but the judge is still considering it.

"It's very strange but as far as we're concerned, the longer they leave it, the better, because the council can't do anything until the decision comes."