WROUGHTON Science Museum has taken a step forward after its development plans were given the green light.

Swindon Council's planning committee has approved the new buildings as part of a scheme to turn the former Second World War airfield into a national tourist attraction.

The approval came subject to controls on parking and traffic.

Planning committee chairman Andrew Bennett, said the plans had the support of the council but there were further more-detailed approvals needed.

"There were some concerns from outlying areas and local councillors," Coun Bennett (Con, Ridgeway) said.

"We are talking about a long-term project.

"Hopefully this will give a bit of confidence for the bid.

"This is an outline plan that says we like the idea and support it."

He said the council had tried to address concerns from nearby residents by ensuring the plans include improving roads and park and ride schemes.

Wroughton Science Museum's head of planning, marketing and communication, Steve Briggs, said the decision would help the attraction's £48m lottery funding bid.

"We're very pleased," Mr Briggs said. "It's been a long journey. We're not finished yet.

"They have agreed the principle of the development.

"We know we have to get the details and the transport right."

He said the museum would now work on more detailed plans for the National Collection Centre, which could open as soon as 2010.

"That's the main thing and is going to attract the most people," he said.

"That planning application hopefully will be sorted out by Christmas."

He said that thousands of trees were already being planted on the site.

The museum plans include the airfield's runways being ripped up and replaced with vast parkland designed to attract wildlife.

There would also be various zones or "knowledge farms" looking at a variety of themes.

The council conditions include the museum improving the road access on the A4361 at Red Barn the current entrance of the museum and work on other roads.

It will also have to pay for changes to the Croft Road Park and Ride and an as-yet-unbuilt Park and Ride somewhere on the Front Garden, probably near Junction 16.

The plans were submitted last October.

The scheme has the backing of the South West Regional Development Agency, which describes the project as one of the "icon projects of regional significance that will provide major economic benefits and improve the perceptions of the region".

Wroughton Parish Council said it supports the development in principle but has concerns about the amount of traffic, particularly when it comes to the removal of soil from the runways.