Page 13 - link magazine

LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER 13

Health and Housing COVERSUR

Big issues considered by Swindon South MP Julia Drown
The long-awaited Government go- so that they can maximise this type In early February I very much 101
ahead for a new hospital for Swin- of development. enjoyed opening the extension to
don, and the announcement that The issue is particularly relevant Westlea After-School Club. The
the Science Museum has been to Swindon because if we can children, staff and parents are all
given the money to set up a Na- achieve a higher density of very enthusiastic about the club;
tional Collections Centre in the old housebuild on our brownfield sites this is exactly the sort of quality 1
hangars at Wroughton, ushered in we will reduce the pressure to de- childcare schemes that the Gov-
1999 for me. velop our precious green fields on ernment wants to encourage.
I recently visited the Accident the edge of town. If you would like to get in touch All insurance services
and Emergency Department at It is anticipated that many of the with me on any issue, then please
PMH to congratulate them on han- new households formed in the write to me at 39 Victoria Road, The only 01793
dling the difficult winter pressures coming years will consist of just Swindon SN1 3AT, or contact my numbe
well. They are very much looking one person. With this in mind, it office by ordinary phone or need 333888
forward to the new hospital where makes sense to consider building textphone on Swindon 615444.
they will have nearly double the apartments that we see in Paris,
space to carry out their vital work. Cheltenham, Edinburgh and also
Housing and our twin town of
planning issues Salzgitter.
are on the na- No one is sug-
tional and local gesting that we
agendas at the should bring sky- Agencies
moment. On 18 scrapers to Swin-
January, I was don, but high LANDLORDS
pleased to have quality apart-
the opportunity ments in four-sto- Do you have a property to let?
to speak to the rey buildings for
Swindon Urban example, would We offer the most complete and only
Regeneration be welcomed by guaranteed management service in the region.
and Greenfield many single peo-
Environment ple and couples. We have tenants waiting for
z
Network (Urgent Julia Drown vith Westlea This would re- quality residential properties
- see below) about after school cl ub children, Ben lease pressure on For further information or advice, call 01793 431725
what the Govern- Chamberland and Charlotte Adams sites elsewhere
ment is doing to and might allow www.swindonlink.com
encourage brownfield develop- Swindon Council to reconsider
ment, building on previously de- their Front Garden proposal.
veloped sites rather than on green I have been urging the Govern-
fields. ment to change the tax system to New & Used
The target for the proportion of encourage more conversions and
new homes to be built on renovations of existing houses, Office Furniture
brownfield sites has been increased rather than always looking to new
from 50% to 60%. We have also set build. The Government should
up a national task force to help also investigate the tax system to
local authorities identify and make make brownfield land more attrac-
the best use of brownfield land. tive than it currently is in compari-
We want to increase their powers son with greenfield sites.

It's Urgent in Swindon
Swindon Urgent, set up late last year, is a voluntary network of
individuals and organisations concerned about continued expansion of Time
development into the countryside. Its name stands for Urban Regen-
eration and Greenfield Environment NeTwork. is money
The group is calling for: improvements in housing provision to meet
the needs of local people; assurances that brownfield sites, empty and so is space
buildings, windfall sites and existing supplies of land are used before
any more countryside is built on; a greenbelt around Swindon is Make sure you don't waste either
created to protect its rural setting and maintain its separate identity;
the provision of quality, reliable, efficient public transport In house CAD
To find out more about Swindon Urgent, contact Charmian Spickernell
on 850007 or Jean Saunders on 783040. design service available for
all new furniture installations
Forest for the next millennium
The 21st Century Swindon Forum is organising a public meeting for For all your office requirements:
Monday 15 March, 7pm, at Broad Green, Community Centre, Salisbury
Street, Swindon. Choice OFFICE FURNITURE
Great Western Community Forest team leader, Paul Pennycook, will
give an illustrated talk entitled Forests for a New Age and will cover the BSS House, Unit 22, Cheney Manor, Swindon
progress on the plan to create new woodland and recreational areas in Open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday 9am to 1pm
and around Swindon and how the town expansion might scupper these
plans. For more information telephone 01793 784534. Tel: 01793 521212 • Fax: 01793 534410