Page 9 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • December 2010 9
Residents’ questions reveal
inconsistencies and gaps in decisions

As the Government’s Big Society ethos unfolds and ordinary people
become more involved and vocal about the issues that affect their areas,
it is becoming increasingly apparent that local government decisions
are not always made with the needs of the resident electorate in mind.
Juliet Platt spoke plazas and restaurants
with Ellie Hunt, chair and all the trappings
of Redhouse Residents’ of a very pleasant
Association, right, who community. Ten years
is clear that the biggest later what we’ve got
block to confi dent com- doesn’t fufill those
munity building is the early aspirations.”
level of misinformation On-going confusion
and secrecy that sur- about transport ac-
rounds decisions that cess and the status
are being made. of roads:
Specifi cally Redhouse Residents are “We have minuted comments by
concerned about: the developers reassuring us that
The lack of primary school places: Oakhurst Way will not be used
Ellie said, “between September and as a main thoroughfare for the
January is a crucial time for parents proposed Tadpole Farm develop-
to apply for school places. However ment. However it is diffi cult to see
in the whole of the northern sector any other route that may be used,
there is no reliable information which begs the question why Crest
about which schools will have Homes did not leave enough land
places available. Bridlewood has for transport access? It’s Christmas. Brighten up your home
told parents it will have an intake “It’s very diffi cult to know who with a rainbow of colours!
of 60 pupils in 2011, yet Swindon to trust. In between the politicians’
education admissions cannot con- sensitivities about scoring coups, Charisma Blinds - the place for quality and value
fi rm more than 30. council offi cers’ understandable
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Full fi tting service or cash and carry
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Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm
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Eastbury Way
Mansfi eld
Adinsall Road Begbie

Associates Ltd
Major battle ground for Redhouse
Residents’ Association - trying to
Tadpole Lane stop a link road between Adinsall Established 1987
Road and Tadpole Lane to give vehicle
access to Thamesdown Drive from the
We wish a
2,000 proposed homes at Tadpole Farm
“Meanwhile there are a couple of inability to announce anything
streets on the boundary of Abbey that isn’t currently budgeted for,
Meads which fall into the catchment and the developers’ commercial
of Penhill primary, meaning a walk motives that are often shrouded in
through Penhill or a car journey aspirational, but wholly unrealistic,
of three miles to get there. There propaganda, I’m afraid the resi-
doesn’t seem to be anyone who dents’ rumour mill becomes very to all Link readers
really cares how emotive this issue active indeed.
is for parents.” “All we want to do is express how
The lack of a Redhouse commu- confused we feel. If the councillors
nity centre: and developers were hoping that Swindon
“We are grateful to Vera Tomlinson we’d get so involved in residential
for her efforts to secure Section 106 in-fi ghting that we wouldn’t notice
money for the purchase of the land the contradictory decisions that are 772779
in Redhouse village centre where being made, then I think they are
we could build a community centre. going to be disappointed.”
It’s just unfortunate that it’s all been Redhouse Residents’ Association
going on behind closed doors.” meets monthly to discuss planning
and community development
Redhouse village centre: issues, and also organises social e: info@mansfi eldbegbie.co.uk
“In the early noughties glossy im- events. For details mail: chairper-
ages were displayed in the Priory [email protected] www.mansfi eldbegbie.co.uk
Vale Information Centre and in The
Link showing Redhouse centre with www.redhouseresidents.org

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