Page 6 - link magazine

6 swindonlink.com • February 2010
‘No’ to Swindon’s extension into Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council’s proposal to build 3,000 homes as an ‘urban extension’ to Swindon was clearly rejected by around 170 residents of West
Swindon and Purton at a lively and at times chaotic public meeting on 18 January - however the chances of stopping it are limited.
The meeting was called by West “councils have had the choice of plans to resist piecemeal planning cillors from both sides of the border
Swindon councillors to hear resi- whether to object and oppose this, applications.” need to work together to fight it
dents’ views on the plans to build or manage such proposals. Our He pointed out that Swindon going forward.”
800 homes at Ridgeway Farm (in approach has been to object to the had objected to the 11,000 homes Wiltshire Council planning of-
addtion to 200 already agreed at demands from government, but at northern development in the ficer Georgina Clampitt-Dix told
Moredon Bridge - see opposite) and the same time work on evidence for early 1990s but this was rejected the meeting that Wiltshire Council
2,000 at Pry Farm, on either side of viable development sites. Planning by planning inspectors. The result would not make a final decision
the B4553, close to Purton. authorities need coherent master was that the building companies on its RSS until after the general
David Potter, Swindon Council’s election.
head of planning and transport, Swindon extending into Wiltshire - follow up meeting Coun Nick Martin said he and
explained that the government Thursday 25 February. Information 6pm; start 7pm fellow councillors would be lob-
has directed both Wiltshire and Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre bying Swindon Council’s cabinet
Swindon to find land for thousands To discuss what residents can do to resist housing development to challenge the urban extension
of new homes through its Regional between West and North Swindon and Purton plans, as well as current MPs and
Spatial Strategy (RSS). He said, parliamentary candidates. “These
plans are an outrage and we all must
did not contribute financially to argue that they are unsustainable
community facilities as much as and impose too great a cost upon
they could have. the people of Swindon.”
Richard King from Shaw said He apologised for the crowded
he was extremely frustrated by nature of the meeting in Peatmoor’s
the threat of more housing. “I am Woodlands Edge pub which meant
at a loss for words; why is it that some people could not hear or be
Swindon has to take more and heard, but he encouraged people to
more housing - the roads are totally come to a follow up.
congested, I can see more flooding, The Link has been covering pro-
the town is being ruined.” posals for development ‘west of
Wiltshire councillor Jackie Lay
said the people of Purton were Swindon’ for the last five years
with little reaction from elected
in agreement with West Swindon representatives or residents.
residents. “The back roads are
congested with traffic accessing But there is now a possibility of
the M4, The Pry site next to the stopping at least some of the
River Ray is prone to flooding and proposals if people are willing to
there is a major problem of where speak out against them.
sewage is to go. Find out more and see Wiltshire
“The planning process is very Council’s documents with draw-
complex and the RSS process has ings at www.swindonlink.com
been challenged legally. But coun-
Westlea flood relief work delayed again
The Environment Agency has raised the banks of Westlea brook to protect
housing in Moresby Close flooded in 2007, now Swindon Council is to build
another culvert under Westlea Drive to improve the flow of flood water.
Work on diverting water pipes and cables in the footway was due to
start on 18 January which would have meant Westlea Drive being closed
to traffic for up to six weeks.
However the £350,000 project has been delayed because Thames
Water was unable to carry out pipe work at the agreed time. Swindon
Council highways engineer Gwilliam Lloyd, said, “we are actively trying
to establish a new start date with Thames Water.”
Resident John Dusting awaiting work to start at Westlea Drive. In 2004 he
and his wife, and two other families, were flooded out of their Moresby Close
homes for six months

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