AN MP has hit out at developers who have failed to keep their promise that a pub would be built for residents in Redhouse.

The residents were promised a pub would be built back in 2004 by Crest Nicholson, which owns the earmarked land opposite the village centre off Redhouse Way.

And North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson wants to know why it hasn’t been done.

Back in 2008, planning proposals for the pub were finally filed with Swindon Council and it looked as though the wheels were in motion.

Brewery Marston’s bought the land following an auction between three pub chains but then dropped out at the last minute as the economy crashed.

Ever since, Arkells has been trying to buy the land but Crest are holding out for a higher offer.

Rumour has it that they are looking for a premium price to match that of the nearby Tawny Owl off Thamesdown Drive and are not taking into account that this pub is on a main road while the Redhouse site is tucked away.

Mr Tomlinson said: “This is extremely frustrating for local residents who, when purchasing their homes in Redhouse, often paying a premium, were enticed by Crest Nicholson’s glossy sales brochure that displayed a utopian Redhouse village centre which is still a long way off being any form of reality.

“Yet again the developers are failing to deliver.

“They need to sit down with Arkells or another brewery and find a way to resolve these issues which they have promised to deliver. It has to happen because it was part of the planning arrangements.

“And there is now increased pressure because, as part of the Crest application for Tadpole Farm we have been attacking them for not having completed the Redhouse village centre.”

Redhouse resident Karen Strickland has been looking forward to getting a meeting place.

She said: “My husband and I have been hoping for a family pub in Redhouse for almost four years now. It would provide people and families a place to meet and socialise without having to drive to the further away pubs.”

Meanwhile, over at the newer development of Wichelstowe, residents have been slightly luckier as their local is closer to opening its doors to punters.

It was announced last year that Marstons would finally be building a new pub for the area and The Bayberry is under construction, set to open this year.

A spokesman for Arkells said: “Arkell’s made an approach some years ago to Crest which was rejected. The pub climate continues to be difficult and the valuation is not realistic for Arkell’s.”