THE CHAIRMAN of a residents’ group has said he is waiting to see the fineprint of plans aimed at giving residents a greater say in town planning.

Colin Doubleday, of the Pipers Area Residents’ Association, said the neighbourhood forums would be an “opportunity and a challenge”.

The plans, part of the Localism Bill passed in November, were outlined by South Swindon MP Robert Buckland at the group’s annual meeting on Saturday.

The new regime may have an impact on planning disputes such as the row over the Croft primary school, being built in Old Town against fierce opposition from residents.

Mr Doubleday said: “This is both an opportunity and a significant challenge, and we are waiting to see how it will transpire in the real world.

“What we’re looking for is for the council to ask us in detail about how things will work in our area. For example, the Croft is an example of where they did not ask the community what they wanted and how it could work.

“We need localism to be an example of how they will ask us what we want, where to put it and how it would fit with the local environment. If localism does all that we’ll be quite happy.”

Mr Doubleday also said council leader Rod Bluh, standing for the new Old Town ward, had sent him an email thanking him for the opportunity to attend the meeting despite being heckled by residents angry over the Croft.

Mr Buckland had opened the meeting by outlining plans intended to push power away from central government back to local communities.

He said: “I don’t think it’s good enough any more to see engagement only when planning applications come forward.

“I don’t think it’s good enough for the community, I don’t think it’s good enough for the politicians. I think a far better approach is the one envisaged by the Localism Act, where instead of reacting to events, everyone is involved in preparing for them.”

The proposals include neighbourhood plans where people who live and work in an area help shape development.

The neighbourhood forums, which could be existing residents’ groups, must have a written constitution and at least 21 members.

They will draw up plans which will be approved by a referendum needing a 51 per cent majority.