Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • March 2002
Residents pressure produces pub for isolated new community

People living in Taw Hill are going to have a pub by Christmas after residents supported by their MP pressured developers Bryant Homes
to sell the site at the entrance to the area, to a brewery and not build 32 flats.
The February Link exclusively with Michael Wills MP on 8 Febru-
reported the behind the scenes ne- ary. He said, "this is extremely good
gotiations by residents and North news for people living in Taw Hill,"
Swindon MP Michael Wills to get said the MP. "I'm very glad that
Bryants to make social facilities Bryants and Arkells have been able
available. to come to an agreement.
Last year Bryants told residents' Mark Edwards said eight
association activist Mark Edwards months of letter writing had paid
that they were looking for a use off. "We did not have high hopes
which would most benefit share- about changing Bryant's intention
holders, even though a pub had to build flats. So we're absolutely
been shown on new house buyers' delighted that they have done a
sales literature when the area was deal with Arkells.
first developed. "Michael Wills has backed us all
However an offer by Swindon the way; he has done a fantastic job they want and a survey is to be North Swindon MP Michael Wills
based Arkells Brewery has been in helping the people of Taw Hill." circulated to households. visited the new Taw Hill medical cen-
accepted by Bryants. The news was Residents were invited to put Other burning issues discussed tre and worship centre on 8 February.
announced at a public meeting forward ideas for the kind of pub with the MP included the provi- Cutting the ribbon with Dr Peter
sion and catchment area of a local Crouch, left, Dr June Morris, Rev
primary school, the need for youth Ruth Cram holding her granddaugh-
What's next for expansion? facilities in the area, plus noise and ter Elisha and practice manager
Area panels around the town are being given a short presentation on signage on Thamesdown Drive. Andrew Morgan
the future of Swindon's housing, jobs and countryside needs to
stimulate debate on the relevant issues as the council draws up a draft
local plan for the borough up to 2011. Front Garden on show
Some took place earlier in February. Area panels, which are open to Plans for the next stage of Swindon's growth in the Southern Devel-
the public, start at 7pm: opment Area (SDA), the land between Old Town and West Swindon
North: 28 February, Haydon Wick Parish Council Offices, Thames and the M4, were put on display in February.
Avenue;
At this stage, the plans for the next to major roads. A site near
East: 27 February, Wanborough village hall; 3,800 home development give a Blagrove has been designated for
West: 7 March, Link Centre; general idea of how the land could a sports stadium next to a park and
North-central: 14 March - to be arranged. be used, taking into account noise ride, and sections of the North
from the major roads, traffic move- Wilts Canal will be restored.
ment, wildlife and environmental Road access is proposed from
requirements, including the need Rushey Platt and from Croft Road
to build above the one hundred in the east along a route running
year flood line. parallel with the motorway to
Rolf Hawkins, development di- emerge at Hay Lane next to the
rector for Bryant Homes who are railway bridge under the M4. Land
working in partnership with Swin- has been designated for shops,
don Borough Council, said all com- health centres and three primary
ments made at the exhibition will schools. An option being consid-
be taken into account in the draw- ered by Swindon Council is relo-
ing up of a master plan for the area cating Commonweal School from
which will be presented to Swin- Old Town to a green field site in
don Council planners towards the the SDA.
end of the year. "This will set out
the principles for the development Extra public exhibitions
and the overall vision for the site. If you missed the displays in Feb-
The council will carry out a further ruary, the plans can be seen on
consultation exercise next year; we Saturday 2 March, 11.30am to 4pm
expect building could start in 2004." at the Ellendune Community
Only fifty per cent of the SDA Hall, Wroughton.
will be developed, the rest being For information on the SDA, mail
used as open space, formal coun- [email protected] or call
try park areas and sound barriers 501614 during office hours.

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