Page 12 - link magazine

12 NEWS

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO BE
A PLANNER!

by Andrew Hake
The Urban Village Concept
Were living in a village in
Swindon", she said. "A village? In Mixing clusters of privately owned
Swindon?" 'Well, its a sort of homes and homes for rent was a
urban village' she explained "At key part of the vision of the urban
least that's what they call it". village. There is certainly a real
"What on earth is an urban vil- need and demand for both, but
lage? Isn't that a contradiction in how will it be met by the private
terms?" developers in Northern Swindon?
Have you ever thought seriously In an urban village, nearly all
about your urban village? It i the houses are not much more
after all, the model on which than a quarter of a mile from the
the Western Development of village centre. This means that
Swindon has been based. Whan I people on foot can get to the
ask people in West Swindon, shops, the post office, the pub,
they generally agree that the the community centre, the church
theory has worked well in prac- the doctor and perhaps the
tice. Where there are problems, dentist, within about ten minutes
it is because the model has not walk Dwellings for older people
been followed, for example in are likely to be clustered around
the lop-sided development of the village centre, as are rented
Freshbrook with Grange Park houses where fewer families may
have cars.
Your Views are Wanted
The Squeeze
The crunch is coming as plans
are made for a possible develop- There is a tidal wave of energy West Swindon before Link Centre, l
ment for 30,000 people in some breaking over West Swindon as The District Centre: Is it big enough or good enough for the 40,
10,000 homes in North Swindon - all the young people grow up. It Swindon by 1993? What alternatives are therefor developa
the Haydon Sector, stretching calls for more than adequate kick-
from the old Cricklade railway about spaces. Are there enough people live out a community life The District Centre
line to the Blunsdon A419. In the imaginative opportunities and on sustainable, human ctle prin- One of the most crucial questions
next few weeks there will be challenges for teenagers? How ciples. People living in West will be about the district centre,
opportunities for people in West far are the voices of young people Swindon are lucky to have it close serving four villages in the
Swindon and, indeed the rest of heard in the planning process? by (peacocks and all!), and it's Haydon Sector. What do you feel
the Borough, to feed back their Youth Groups, let's hear from well worth taking part in some of about the West Swindon Centre?
views and experiences to the you? their activities. It may seem strange that the
Civic Offices and to the Spare sites are a crucial neces- Home-Based Work 'town centre' of a settlement over
developers of the new area sity in any town. Nobody can plan 30,000 people has only one bank,
The Churches (among many for all possible needs. Who knows Many more people these days one estate agent, one building
other groups) will be giving what the community will need in are working at and from home. society, and one solicitor's office.
evidence to the Public Inquiry ten years' time? A short-term Some may have to do indefensible, Would it not be good to have
In the autumn. If you have accountants' outlook pressurises exploitative 'outwork But many much more of a 'High Street'
something to say about the com- the Council and other developers others choose a home base for pattern - but still leaving a sub-
munity or about the work of the to commit every square incti to self-employment, sometimes with stantial site for another innovative
churches, you are invited to instant use. Already in Freshbrook hi-tech equipment, or for enter- Link Centre (roller skating? Sky
put your thoughts on paper village centre the squeeze is prising service schemes. diving? What next?)
and send to to The Revd. Ian being felt. This trend will surely continue But a good community is much
Handscomb (6 RhuIUn, Toot- Lower Shaw Farm is a notable and sensible planning authorities more than a well-planned environ-
hill) - by 15th August, please, example of preserving links with are encouraging it where activi- ment. For example, what is done
to make sure we don't miss the the past and also a pilot plant for ties do not pollute the neighbour- to help young couples in their
boat. an alternative future - where hood. But are the house-plots big starter homes when strains begin
enough? The houses themselves? to develop? Are there ways in
EXCURSIONS - Can they be extended, adapted? which non-interfering friends
& TOURS Aren't many of the rooms now far could help them make the most
too small? Some submitted plans of their marriage? Is there a role
have actually been below the for new initiatives in West
legal minimum. Swindon? Any suggestions?
Adult Child
Sunday 2nd August Aberystwyth £5.50 £4.00 Developers will say that they There are lots of other issues
are trapped between rising costs which make up the quality of life
Wednesday 5th August Minehead (for SomerwestWorld) £3.40 £3.50
Tuesday 11th August Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park £4.00 £3.00 and keen competition. But the - shops, policing, adequate in-
Sunday 16th August Ilfracombe via Exmoor £5.00 £4.00 houses in our towns which have formation (well done, LINK!), the
Thursday 20th August Southend £5.00 £4.00 stood the test of time were needs of older people, under-
Wednesday 26th August Thorpe Park £3.50 £2.50 designed with a certain gener- fives, juniors, isolated or de-
Sunday 30th August Brighton £5.00 £4.00 osity and flexibility, and not with pressed people, special interest
Monday 31st August Plymouth for Navy Day £5.50 £4.00 the meaness of spirit of some groups, public transport, road
modern developments. Peter safety and convenient access to
Walker's destruction of the the town centre, schools of the
Thamesdown Transport Parker-Morris standards of local right size and at the right time,
liii authority housing will be, in time, the feel of the environment, the
ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS:
FLEMING WAY KIOSK, NEAR PRIMARK, tel. 615399 -
- seen as a shameful false economy. look of the place, and a climate of