Page 2 - link magazine

2 swindonlink.com • July 2009
Swindon should take over 3,000 home expansion into Wiltshire

A West Swindon councillor is controversially calling on the government to extend the town's boundaries to take in land close to Purton and
Cricklade so that proposed development can be undertaken in a planned way.
Court GaryPerkins(Shaw&Nine Lion process because the proposals central government assistance. Fellow Shaw & Nine Elms
Elms) said building another 3,000 are outside the borough. "Unlike new towns like Milton councillor Nick Martin said that
homes under Wiltshire County Another 3,000 homes will increase Keynes and Peterborough which 'piggybacking' development onto
Council's control, next to West Swindon by default-the process has grew with large financial input Swindon is unacceptable. "This is
Swindon, is a recipe for planning already started with a plan for 200 from government, Swindon has developer driven growth with little
chaos-and it will financially pena- homes at Moredon Bridge, next to become a success story by its own regard to the effect on Swindon."
use Swindon council taxpayers. Sparcells, being passed in May. means. Then, the council was able But Wiltshire County Councillor
Under central government's Within Swindon, in line with the to control the rate of development Mollie Groom from Lydiard Mil-
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), RSS, borough planners have allo- but this new regional direction for licent is appalled by the idea that
Wiltshire will have oversight of de- cated 2,000 homes north of Priory expansion takes the decisions out Swindon could grow beyond its
velopment at Ridgeway Farm and Vale at Tadpole Farm, in addition to of our hands. present boundary. "There is no hope
The Pry. The Link has been cover- the 12,000 house proposed for east
- The areas in
ing this story for the last four years of the A419, close to Wanborough. I
but Swindon residents have been Coun Perkins said Swindon has Wiltshire west
o ,-. ,Iindon
largely excluded fromtheconsulta- grown since the 1950s without

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r HK97 targets will beimposed-in the west of these unrealistic housing figures
"If we don't agree with the RSS,
being realized. The regeneration of
the town centre should take prece-
Wiltshire County Council is putting
their RSS housing allocation right
dence, to ensure a sound economic
basis for future development. There
on our borders. This will make huge
ture like transport links, sewage
expansion, 10,000 in the north, and
THE QUALITY CHINESE demands on Swindon's infrastruc- has been the 12,000 home western
4,500 in the south has just started.
treatment, schools and colleges.
"Wiltshire will keep the Section
I ° TAKEAWAY IN SWINDON 106 developer contributions and With 12,000 houses proposed for the
east of Swindon, why should Purton
council tax income. Swindon can't and Cricklade be taken over? This
fund the infrastructure required; surely does not represent sound
central government mustworkwith future planning."
ir,rceTakca^^a^•I1e sf tiw indn
us if they want the town to grow to North Wilts MP James Gray
meet their plans." told coup Groom, 'I entirely agree
20% OFF In 2004 a planning inspector and will of course stand shoulder
LoyaltY Card called on Swindon and Wiltshire to to shoulder with you to repel the
Swindon boarders.'
find land 'westof Swindon' for 1,000
homes. By 2008, with growth plans • What do you think? Should Swin-
\Ili: ; 1 L04/2010 taken over at a regional level, this don be responsible for growth to
had been changed to 3,000 without the west beyond its current border?
local consultation. Mail: [email protected]
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