Page 6 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • July 2005
Council thinks town can expand by another 16,000 homes
When The Link was first distributed to the 500 houses already built in West Swindon in late 1978, the town had a population of just over
150,000. Now its population is around 185,000 and plans are being put forward for it to grow for another 21 years.
Most of the housing develop- these have to be built 'west of the east, beyond
ment has been in The Link's target borough.' the A419,
distribution area: Strategic planning is now the should be the
• 11,500 in West Swindon responsibility of the South West way to go.
• 6,000 in North Swindon Regional Assembly which sees However
(another 4,000 to be built) Swindon as a major growth area. the report
plus other sites around the town. Looking at the period between 2016 makes it clear
Assuming the Front Garden de- and 2026, the assembly asked local that growth
velopment of 4,000 homes gets planners to consider whether the can only take
underway and permission is given town could cope with between place if there is
for 1,800 homes next to Coate Wa- 16,000 and 24,000 new homes. A central govern-
ter, land still has to be found for report from Swindon Council has ment funds for
another 1,250 dwellings under the been sent to the assembly arguing infrastructure
terms of Structure Plan to 2016. A that only 16,000 can be accommo- development. Growing pains. Swindon may still add houses to the west as
recent planning enquiry suggested dated and the expansion to the It says the road part of development requirements up to 2016 - before possi-
network will ble expansion to the east. The picture shows the green fields
be at capacity separating West Swindon, left, from Lydiard Millicent, top
by 2016 and right, which could be built on
more public
transport will be needed. member of the regional assembly,
Water supply is under major said, "it's easy to forget Swindon
strain and new housing will de- has been successful over many
pend on a new reservoir in Ox- years because it has continued to
fordshire due to be opened in 2020. grow. However we're putting for-
It adds that there is no capacity to ward a lower level of expansion so
treat and discharge sewage. Extra that we can ensure the highest
treatment systems and new tech- quality of development."
nology will be required. The regional assembly will draw
The report says that greenfield up a regional strategy for develop-
development around the town ment in the South West by the end
should only be permitted if com- of the year. Further consultation
plemented by urban regeneration, and a public enquiry into the
particularly in the town centre. growth proposals will take place
Council leader Mike Bawden, a during 2006.