Page 5 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine ' August 1999 5
The Urban Task Force Report and Swindon

A year ago the government set up the Urban Task Force headed by into the towns. Its vision would be founded on principles of design
architect Sir Richard Rogers to identify causes of urban decay in excellence, socialwell-beingandenvironmentalresponsibilitywithin
England and recommend practical solutions to bring people back a viable economic and legislative framework.
Charmaine Spickernell of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) North Wilts & Swindon Group comments on the implications for the town.
The extent of the problem of empty munity groups and voluntary or- make it less attractive to argue for
streets in the north of England and ganisations in tackling eyesores. the use of more greenfield land
the disparity in house prices be- An important quote from the Ex- around Swindon. There are al-
tween the north and the south was ecutive Summary page 13 is: ready some 8,000 houses waiting
highlighted in a BBC Panorama "measures are needed to ensure to be built on greenfield land. The
programme the evening before the there is not too much greenfield recommendations will give incen-
report was launched on 29 June. land within the planning system tive to using the 3,000 to 4,000
The recommendations made by at any one time. This will include brownfields and conversion op-
the Task Force try to stem the flood requiring planning authorities to portunities identified by the Bor-
of migration which has acceler- remove allocations of greenfield ough Council.
ated in the last five years. The land from development plans Certainly, the report strength-
Structure Plan housing figures for where those allocations are no ens the arguments for urban ren-
Wiltshire are calculated on the longer consistent with national aissance.
basis of allowing 3,000 a year for and regional policy objectives. The
inward migration. If these figures sis is also placed on the need for general presumption against de-
were reduced to say 1,500 a year high quality design both velopment on specially designa-
there could be a re-think of the architecturally and for energy effi- tions green belt areas should re-
projected figures for housing for ciency, and for new measures to main..."
the next ten years. While there is a encourage the restoration and the Financial measures include the
general agreement that Swindon use of historic buildings left empty. need to harmonise VAT rates in
should be allowed to grow natu- This gives hope for the Mechanics respect of new building and con-
rally, few want forced growth. Institute and other buildings. versions, establishing public-pri-
The recommendations affecting As far as Swindon's growth is vate investment funds that can
Swindon fall into two categories: concerned, the report gives impe- attract an additional £1 billion in
the use of the planning system, and tus for this to be inwards. The private investment for area regen-
measures to ensure that making use vision in the next 10 years is for eration projects, and setting up
of urban areas and empty buildings people to move back into urban priority areas. In Swindon this
is more financially rewarding than centres where they can enjoy all could be the area around the rail
building on greenfields. the advantages without so much and bus stations.
With regard to planning and pollution, because of better public At the Examination in Public of
managing the land supply, the transport, and where there will be the Structure Plan in November,
moves to ensure brownfields are much more involvement of com- these recommendations should

YOUR NEW LOOK S A F E WAY AT HAYDON WICK

SAEWAY Your local Safeway store has changed for the better!

Come and see the new look fresh food departments,
with new products across the store.
Great value means more at Safeway with Price Cuts 99
bringing permanently low prices. Supporting this is an BaI
extensive range of SAVERS products, at the lowest price.
Our Offer Of The Week is something not to be missed either. cSCpu^t o
g
To make shopping easier we have a Refund & Replace scheme
to give confidence in our products, a New Baby Discount
WAy
gxfE which gives families 10% off their shopping, not forgetting
the wide range of offers available through our ABC loyalty card.

Our thanks to our friends who have kindly sponsored a trolley dash SAFEWAY
in aid of Mencap during relaunch week
Lic^0Kte^ti't -t e, goad
' Glares Retail
Dudley s NRC Equipment Ltd
Established I92o REFRIDGERATION
Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick,
Ernest S. Till & Co. Ltd Metair Swindon Tel: 01793 726705