Page 9 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • May 2002 9
Roman ruins to be discussed on 8 May Drive-through restaurant
The long process of interpreting the Roman complex in North Swin- proposal challenged
don has started and environmental planners Land Use Consultants
have been commissioned to hold discussions in the community to Over 250 North Swindon residents have signed a petition objecting
establish the best way to display the information. to proposals to locate a double drive-through restaurant and take-
The site on Groundwell Ridge at Nothing firm has been decided away facility close to houses at Ash Brake.
Ash Brake was discovered in 1996 about how the findings should be The site, adjacent to junction 5 of from the site.
when house builders started to displayed; we're at an early stage Thamesdown Drive already has Blunsdon Parish Council op-
excavate close to what were of gathering information and in- outline planning approval for poses the proposal because of traf-
thought to be medieval volving the community is an im- 'roadside uses,' but residents and fic volume and access difficulties
earthworks. A survey confirmed portant part of the process." two parish councils regard the from Thamesdown Drive.
that they were of Roman origin Initial findings and points for project, believed to be for a There are fears that residential
and the site, now under Swindon discussion will be presented at the MacDonalds, KFC as well as a roads in Ash Brake will become
Borough Council's ownership has Church of Christ the Servant, video outlet to be inappropriate 'rat runs' to get to the restaurant,
been designated a Scheduled An- Abbey Meads, Elstree Way on within a residential area. particularly as Lady Lane north of
cient Monument. Wednesday 8 May, 6.30pm to Jon Booth of Poachers Way said, the site is to be closed permanently.
Maritta Boden from Land Use 9.30pm. "residents are very concerned Dangers to pedestrians getting
Consultants said that Swindon about the traf- from Abbey Meads and the North
Council and English Heritage are fic off Junction Swindon Centre are also a major
at the beginning of an exciting and f = ANEDREW 5 which is al- concern.
$ Ri DG
long term process of exploring the ready proving HaydonWickParishCouncilhas
opportunities for the site, whilst '- ^ a c c i d e n t- told Swindon Council planners
protecting it as an archaeological M "+• prone, and the that traffic would be generated at
resource. "The feasibility study has likelihood of unsocial hours and proposed ac-
been commissioned to look at how congestion cess would cause congestion in the
to best raise public awareness around the ac- area. The councillors also empha-
about the site, develop its poten- '" cess to the res- sise environmental issues, with
tial as an educational resource, E f taurants. Sites nuisance being caused to adjacent
explore opportunities to further like these also houses through smell, litter and
investigate the archaeology in a generate un- noise.
non-destructive manner and inte- ' '"' « wanted smell The planning application has
grate the interpretation of the site and litter." been revised and resubmitted, and
within the council's remit for de- Houses in can be inspected at Swindon Coun-
veloping and expanding their cur- , " G r e e n s a n d cil planning department, Premier
rent museums and cultural re- ." Close and West House, Station Road.
sources. ^.. H i g h l a n d The planning committee will re-
"The site being within a housing ,{ • Close are only consider the application in late
area has to be treated sensitively. yards away May or early June.