Page 7 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • August 2004 7
Has people power helped the council see sense?
As The Link went to press, Swindon councillors were preparing to debate two motions put to full council on Thursday 22 July which could
see an end to Swindon Town FCs plan to move its stadium from the county ground to Shaw Forest Country Park.
West Swindon councillor Nick
Martin proposed that the council
continue to support the Great
Western Community Forest and
that both existing sites and those
currently being developed on
council owned land should be pro-
tected and retained.
In a separate move, the Labour the motions, it would block fur- Views of Phase 111 at Shaw Forest Country Park, the last stated preference for a
Group of councillors backed a pro- ther moves by the club and their stadium. Top and below left, looking across the still operational tip towards
posal from its deputy leader Coun development partners St Modwen Woodhall Park and Moredon. Swindon Services annually deposits up to 40,000
Barrie Thompson reaffirming the Properties plc to press their plans tons of inert waste on the site which has another four years capacity. This saves the
existing policy support for the for a new stadium, first revealed in council £2 million in landfill charges each year. The forest plan suggests that some
Great Western Community Forest late March, to be built on Shaw 100,000 trees could be planted there when the tip is closed. Phase III is also adjacent
which specifically identifies Phases Forest Country Park which was to the important bird sanctuary run by Thames Water at Rivermead. See Bendy
1, 2, & 3 of Shaw Forest Park re- first designated in 1994. River story on page 42.
main as public open space for 100 Coun Martin, commenting be- munity forest against develop- Swindon Town and St Modwen
years. fore the council meeting, said, "I ment. I believe Swindon Council are understood to be surprised and
Should the majority of the 59 stood for election in June with a should standby promises to create frustrated by the moves, given they
councillors vote for either or both commitment to protecting the com- the forest in my area and also across were led to believe by leaders of
other parts the borough. the three main political parties that
"Councillors of all parties are the council might entertain pro-
being asked to decide on the past posals to develop Shaw Forest.
commitments this council has Leading Forest Not a Stadium
made and the faith the citizens have campaigner Alan Hayward, said,
in the integrity of those decisions." "the council has to listen to the
Coun Thompson, said, "the views of the people of Swindon.
council has a standing commit- They do not want to see parts of
ment to preserving this land as their community forest built on.
part of the community forest, we "We should be celebrating the
must resist development and be tenth anniversary of Shaw Forest
mindful of other valuable open Country Park, not fighting to save
spaces across Swindon." it."
For more site pictures, go to www.swindonlink.com
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