Residents have launched a third campaign to stop homes being built on the nine-hole Bradford on Avon golf course.

Barrett Homes are intending to challenge the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which identifies areas that are available for development, to get planning approval for development on the golf course.

A 2008 planning application for houses there was turned down following a mass campaign and a petition of 2,000 signatures. The Keep Bradford Green campaign was successful again in 2009 following a similar application for 195 new houses.

Marion Collett, of Mythern Meadow, is leading the campaign Keep Bradford Green.

She said: “We are horrified at another attempt to build on the golf course, especially after the people of Bradford made their opposition so clear the last time this was attempted.

“An official report has stated that the site is contaminated, Wiltshire Council themselves have pointed out that more traffic would be driven through the town centre, which is suffering traffic pollution already, and the council has also noted the lack of suitable access.

“This is now the third time we have campaigned and we are encouraging people to sign the petition and write to the council and MP.”

The previous campaigns were backed by Chippenham MP Duncan Hames, who wrote to everyone in the affected area to alert them to the plans.

The Keep Bradford Green group will be dropping leaflets through doors, giving information on how people can sign the petition. Mrs Collett said: “We will do as much as we can, with the support of people, and we will get together to campaign and see where we can go from there.

“We managed before to stop it with the support so we are hoping to push it out again.”

The Wiltshire Core Strategy Examination in Public will be held from May 7, where people who have sought changes to the document will be invited to put their views.

Ralph Hawkins, Barratt development director, said: “Barratt has an ongoing development programme to identify potential sites for future development. As part of this role we will be attending the public examination as an interested party.”

Wiltshire Cllr Fleur de-Rhe Philipe, Cabinet member with responsibility for spatial planning and regeneration, said: “Input from local people has been integral in forming this strategy and we will continue to keep Wiltshire’s communities updated as this document goes through the Examination in Public.”