Page 11 - link magazine

NORTH SWINDON (including Abbey Meads, St Andrew's Ridge & Taw Hill) 11
More open space created to protect rare species
Recently discovered Great Crested Newts and the Green Winged Orchid in the next stage of
Swindon's northern development are to receive protection. The area is of such national importance
that English Nature is likely to declare it a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
But all could have been de- It will be an asset to Swindon and Council, said the Haydon III plan 1 • 9
stroyed if environmentalists had the environment for the people had been improved. "The devel- PROPERTY MANAG 1
not created a fuss after the last who live in North Swindon will be opers were required to look at their Belvoir provides
general election to delay the build- improved." proposals again. As a result of the
ing of a further 5,500 houses to the She contrasted the need to con- survey and intensive consultation a most complete and
west of Lady Lane. sider the impact of development with the planning department, a professional Property
In 1992 Conservative Secretary on the landscape with the discov- better scheme has been submitted.
of State for the Environment ery of foundations for a Roman There will be more open space and Management Service.
Michael Howard declared that the villa in Abbey Meads during the by linking landscaped areas, peo- Our reputation, competi-
building of 10,000 homes in North summer. "Finding Romans ruins ple will now be able to walk or
Swindon would not have a signifi- attracts a lot of attention and build- cycle east and west, north and tive rates and personal
cant effects on the environment ers have to stop. However with- south across the development." service are acknowledged
and an assessment of its impact on throughout the UK.
wildlife was not required. Planning officer Carol Bristow describes the revised North Swindon
But new Labour Minister John plan to Deborah and Adrian Ward of Abbey Measds Landlords & Tenants,
Prescott took the unusual step of for information, listings,
reversing the decision by demand-
ing such an assessment be carried insurance, Buy to Let
out. As a result, rare plant and schemes and
wildlife have been discovered, an- impartial advice:
other 16 acres of open space has
been allocated in the Haydon III Call Belvoir Now
phase of the expansion area, and
more green corridors have been
created to link open spaces. FREEPhone
The redesigned plan was pub- 0800 7316069
lished exclusively in the Decem- Fax 01249 760670
ber Link with a notice of a public
exhibition on the scheme. E-mail
Jean Saunders of Swindon [email protected]
Friends of the Earth, who led the
ttp://www.belvoirgroup.com
campaign for an environmental
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study, said she was pleased with
the outcome. out surveys of proposed develop-
"Unless you look for things you destroy sensitive wildlife habitats pw V V V V V V1
ment areas, builders can easily
are not going to find out if they are
there. Swindon Friends of the without even knowing what they
Earth are delighted that this study have done."
has revealed a significant wildlife Martin Trewhella, senior plan- ONE WORLD
site which will now be protected. ning officer at Swindon Borough
Plans produce concerns over facilities
Some 500 people viewed the revised Haydon III plans and talked to
Swindon Council planning officers at the public exhibition in early
December.
Apart from wildlife considerations, transport issues also had to be
reviewed. Roads have been redesigned to create a circular bus route.
No house should now be further than 400 metres from a bus stop.
Senior planning officer Martin Trewhella said that people are gener-
ally pleased with the redesign but had raised specific queries including: SWINDON'S LARGEST
• the lack of sports and social facilities at the proposed district centre.
This will cover 60 acres, equal to the West Swindon Centre plus half MEXICAN PINE
of Greenbridge. It will contain a superstore and other retail outlets.
But no leisure facilities are planned, apart from a library and a youth
centre. & ETHNIC FURNITURE
• the bus only link from Elstree Way to the district centre and
Westfield Way preventing direct car access to Haydon Wick CENTRE
• traffic flow through Haydon Wick to the new district centre
• timing of the proposed secondary school. This is provisionally Six rooms packed with treasures
planned for September 2003, subject to empty spaces in other schools
and goverment funding. from around the world
Swindon Friends of the Earth secretary Jean Saunders said she was still FREE DELIVERY • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
unhappy that the secondary school is sited on the edge of the develop- OPEN 7 DAYS
ment, which could mean more car journeys by parents
92 Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon
LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE PLANS
Swindon's development control committee will consider the revised Tel: 539550
plans for Haydon III and public comments at a meeting in April.
Near Evening Advertiser building
The plans will be available to view during office hours in the Foyer
at Premier House, Station Road, Swindon until 25 January.
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