Page 26 - link magazine

In the
beginning AROUND A S QIJARE

traditional village square and Perhaps proof perfect that some
will include a market place of the best is yet to come?
By David Thompson
reminiscent of those of market
You can follow progress and
The first land deal that made towns, a number of shops and
updates to plans for the village
Swindon's northern expansion perhaps best of all, given the
centre on Priory Vale's website:
project possible dates back to appropriate weather, a selection
1982 when Crest Nicholson of pavement cafes. www.prioryvale.com
acquired Abbey Farm from the
With plans still under wraps,
Hitch family. Shortly afterwards
the village centre immediately
an option on the Francis family
north of junction 7 remains the
land became available and the
topic of much speculation and
arduous process of obtaining
anticipation. We were fortunate
planning permission began in
enough to obtain from the
earnest. After years of intense
developer a few initial sketches
negotiation, and precisely ten
and look forward to hearing
years later, planning permission
more about this feature of the
for 10,000 new homes was
development.
granted in 1992.
We do know that the village
Just before the Section 106
centre will be seen as the heart
Agreement was finally settled
of the new community. Located
with the Local Authority, we
next to the education campus
(Crest Nicholson) spent a solid
with its extensive sports
four days working at our
facilities, it will resemble a
solicitor's office in London, each
day's work would have been
having grabbed a late night FIELDS OF FLOWERS
completed at around 3am
pizza or Mac Donald's. We were
Every year and for all too
then back at the office at
short a time, Priory Vale enjoys
7.30am to start the new "battle"
a visit from Orchis Morio, the
- all of which was done by fax
green winged orchid. Six
and phone - no such thing as e-
hectares of undisturbed
mail in those days.
meadow land burst into a
The Section 106 Agreement
spectacular show of nature's
basically ties up the planning
beauty and during the early part
gain package. In this particular
of spring an entire carpet of
case it was finally rubber
pale purple and pink orchids
stamped as being, "One of the
covers the ancient hay meadow
most generous planning gain
- a sight not easily forgotten.
packages ever seen by the
Department of the Environment Known for its unusual shapes and
at that time". beautiful colours, the orchid is
regarded as being quite common
Work commenced in 1993 and
in the Swindon area, but some
the former Francis land, just off
varieties are in fact threatened.
Lady Lane was the first area to
Priory Vale's Hayden Meadow has
be developed. The family
been designated a "site of
farmhouse, which is now the
special scientific interest" and
Manor Farm Inn, was the scene of
the orchids here are protected.
many a discussion with Godfrey
Francis - usually sitting in his The symbol chosen to represent
kitchen drinking cups of tea. this development pays tribute
to this remarkable flower and
Continued opposite... its annual visit.
2 BRINGING NEW VILLAGES TO LIFE