Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • June 2002
Invisible Roman site causes community stress
PLUMB IT
A meeting to discuss ideas for the buried ruins of the Roman temple complex at Ash Brake on 8 May
WATER degenerated into disagreement on how to proceed.
Land Use Consultants, objected to increased
SERVICES who have been commis- traffic and parking on
sioned by Swindon narrow estate roads.
Shaun Wiltshire Council to study and re- Others were worried
City & Guilds Qualified Plumber port on how best to about vandalism and
present the site to the young people hanging
Emergency repairs, installation public, were keen to es- about unsupervised
& connection of appliances, tablish the views of resi- viewing areas.
bathrooms fitted, blocked toilets, dents living closeby and Abbey Meads council-
dripping overflows, etc. displayed plans and pho- lor Justin Tomlinson said
tographs of initial ar- a balance had to be found
Fully insured
chaeological findings. between promoting the
For a free, no obligation quote, The underground re- site to a wider audience
telephone 01793 7 71070 mains were discovered and protecting residents
and preserved from from unnecessary dis-
house builders five years turbance.
ago and are understood The consultant's re-
to be some of the best port will be put to Swin-
preserved in the coun- and Kevin Jones from St Andrew's Ridge holding an aerial don Council later in the
try. photo of the Groundwell Ridge Roman site year. The site will then
Specialists in PVCU, Peter Nelson, principal consult- under fire from residents who be subject to further debate when
ant, put forward a scheme to mini- wanted clearer proposals put for- funding issues are considered and
windows, doors and
mise disruption to residents by ward. Some wanted an interpreta- planning applications are put for-
conservatories. maintaining the area as an open tion centre on site whilst others ward.
space with a few information Roman remains on display
boards. The detailed interpretation
of the site would be available at the The findings of a geophysical survey by specialists from English
North Swindon library at the dis- Heritage are to be displayed on National Archaeology Day, Sunday 21
trict centre a kilometre away, and July, 1 lam to 4.30pm at Abbey Meads community primary school.
tours of the site would be organ- Throughout the day there will be guided walks around the site and
ised for visitors and schools. Some opportunities to see survey work taking place.
30,000 people could be attracted to
Tel: 01793 848177 or 770596 the area annually. Drive-thru restaurant plans
,22 Ravens Walk, Wootton Bassett, However, the consultants came
return to committee
North Swindon could have drive-thru McDonalds and KFC restau-
rants, as well as a Dominos Pizza takeaway and a Blockbuster video
outlet - all on one site - just yards from houses in Ash Brake, if
ilTi Ui Swindon Council's planning committee pass an application in June.
Initial plans for the
L l site next to the junc-
JJ J JI tion 5 intersection of
Thamesdown Drive
'J1i J J ____ and Lady Lane were
rejected in April after
residents submitted a
petition objecting to
the proposals on the
Quarter Curried trigons grounds of traffic gen-
aromatic OR Seaweed & spare eration close to hous-
ing, dangers to pedes-
duck ribs in barbecue sauce trians and children
walking to a primary
school closeby, as well
Sweet & sour OR Roast pork as smell. Hayden
chicken HK style chop suey Wick and Blunsdon
j parish councils have also raised objects to the proposal writes as
Chicken with mushrooms in bliack bean sauce objections. soon as possible to the Director of
Shredded chilli beef Resident Tracy Goodwin said, Environmental Services, Swindon
Fried rice, prawn crackers, fortune cookies "seventy four parking spaces are Borough Council, Premier House,
proposed, 25 more than the Station Road, Swindon. Tracy can
Special offer price 917.33 Menu price 5O' McDonalds on Great Western Way. be contacted on 07803 038606.
Please note: the special menu cannot be changed The site will be a major attraction
and is likely to cause big problems • The area shown in the photo
for people who live nearby." above was given outline planning
A meeting between a few resi- permission for commercial use in
dents and representatives from the early 1990s as part of the over-
McDonalds and KFC on 17 May all North Swindon master devel-
was postponed until the end of the opment plan.
month because they feared a mass • Lady Lane will be closed from 27
protest might await them. May to allow major services and
In the meantime Tracy Good- an access road to be provided to
win suggests that anybody who Bridlewood primary school.