The builders behind a plan to knock down a well-known bungalow in Swindon and build five more on the site have defended their plans.

Stephen Dunford and Greg Mills run Proudmill Homes and they want to demolish 27 Church Walk South in Rodbourne Cheney, which sits in a large garden.

They have submitted plans to build five two bed-bungalows on the land, with three close to the rear of the site, but separated from houses backing on to it by rear gardens, and two near the road either side of a new access.

The plans have received significant opposition with many saying the existing building put up in the 1960s, should be kept.

But Mr Dunford says that’s impossible, because of the very poor state of the building.

He said: “That was our original plan - but after an inspection and a survey, it would cost much too much to get back into a modern habitable state.

“It would be well over £200,000.”

One of the most significant issues say the pair, is the roof, Mr Mills said: “We’d have to take the whole thing off and put a new roof on – it’s split and spread.”

Photographs of the interior roof space show rudimentary repairs of the split rafters and beams, and Mr Mills added: “The repairs made were just too late and the whole thing would have to come off.”

In the rooms on the ground floor, things are not much better.

In the rather tired kitchen there is a pile of soot which has fallen from the old flue; the rooms smell of damp and Mr Dunford said: “The electrical wiring is not fit for purpose, there are only five proper sockets in the whole place.”

The developers point out their plans are for five bungalows, and say there’s a real need for them. Mr Dunford said: ”Nobody is building bungalows any more, there were only 268 built in the country last year.

“Putting bungalows here means it won’t impact the neighbours, nothing will be overlooked. And there is a need for them, especially here.

“We expect the buyers will probably be older, and there are lots of good shops and facilities nearby, so it’s a really good location.

“This bungalow was quite distinctive when it was built, but it’s in a bad state now, and its time has passed.”

No decision has yet been made on the application. A decision is expected by early May.