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See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • May 2000 3
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The WAL*MART wish list

Since January articles in The Link have exclusively featured the Before plans get too advanced, and bearing in mind that no leisure or
coming of US retail giant Wal-Mart to the yet-to-be-built North cultural facilities were identified in the outline plans for the centre,
Swindon district centre, under the guise of Asda which they bought The Link asked people living in Abbey Meads and Haydon Wick
out last year. what they would like to see there.

Wal-Mart purchased over 200 Claire Garrett, 29, from Kirsty Stratton, 13, from Swan Hill, Haydon Wick
acres of land in the Haydon III part Abbey Meads I would like to see clothes
of the northern development be- "I would like to see a su- shops and a youth centre
tween Lady Lane and Taw Hill. A permarket. But the dis- or cafe bar with Internet
start on construction of the road trict centre should in- access. There are no
netwwork and the 6,000 houses is clude a leisure centre amenities apart from the
delayed because Wal-Mart is re- with swimming pool and Haydon Centre.
examining the conditions imposed a library. There are not I would like a swim-
by Swindon Council planners. It is enough facilities within ming pool, gym and ten-
understood that the company will walking distance." nis courts. There are no
sell off their housing land and fo- Claire Garrett with her facilities for teenagers.
cus attention on the 36 acre district children, Adam, 1, and We have nowhere to meet
centre site adjacent to Lady Lane Laura, 3 after school or at week-
and Haydon End Lane. ends. There is one park
Haydon III will also have local Eddie Bedwell, from Haydon Wick and it is not safe at night,
commercial facilities, open space, "Swindon is already catered for by 'pile'em high, no matter what your age.
primary schools and a secondary sell 'em cheap, cost you a lot in the end' type shops.
school to serve North Swindon. Houseowners should be concerned that one mas- Also questioned:
Friends of the Earth declared in sive supermarket will create a down Marion Ward, 52, Abbey Meads
the April Link that they are watch- market situation and affect house "We should have a large food store, sports shops, DIY
ing Wal-Mart's moves and could sales and prices. store, clothes and shoe shops and a good newsagent.
mount a national campaign if the What is needed here are shops We also need a fitness centre, with a pool. A library
company pursues policies which covering regular needs, as well as is important because it would help students who will
threaten small businesses in Swin- small coffee shops and some leisure attend the new secondary school. I think we should
don and the surrounding towns. and educational outlets, missing have a bingo hall or some type of social club, which the
Before the planning permission from the current Swindon range." older and younger generation could share, to stop the
is granted Swindon Council will young gathering in the parks."
require the developers to hold an Helen Prowting, 32, from Abbey Meads
exhibition. But it might be too late. "A supermarket, Diane Grant, 36, Abbey Meads
Once Wal-Mart has decided on a smaller retail shops, res- "I would like to
course of action, getting them to taurants and market see a supermar
signficantly alter their proposals stalls would be a good ket, clothes shops
in response to public opinion could mix. Leisure facilities a large chemist
be difficult. should include a library, and electrical sup We have two large
The majority of people we spoke swimming pool and pliers. We need z barns full of top
to say the facilities for the growing gym. I would like to see cinema, librar3 quality furnishing
population of North Swindon are specific facilities for and leisure club fabrics (often more i ^s .
totally inadequate. teenagers. This devel- including a pool than 50 metres) which
They welcome more shops, but opment does not cater There are no are the ends of ranges.
are concerned at the lack of leisure for young people." enoughshoppin^ Also wallpapers. All are from
provision, particularly for young Helen with Joel, 6, Kirby, or leisure facilities leading manufacturers at
people. 4, Neave, 10 months in the area."
greatly reduced prices.
What's your view? Why not come and see us?
To influence the planning of the Sue Cutcliffe. Giles Green,
district centre, people need to Brinkworth, Nr Chippenham.
the Link MagaZine voice opinions now. If you have Tel: 01666 510685
a viewpoint, call Tanya Park- Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 1pm
Published by inson, address left.
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