Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • November 2010 5
Grange Park residents win crucial

battle to block Hook Street building
A proposal by Primegate Properties (Hook North) for 175 houses on
the last field between Grange Park and Lydiard Park was rejected by
Swindon Council’s planning committee on 12 October, but the devel-
opers are threatening to appeal against the decision.
Over 100 residents attended the that Swindon does not have five
committee meeting which had years of house building land avail-
already received an officer recom- able to it, as laid down in legislation.
mendation to refuse the application The site would make an important FREE LEGAL ADVICE
after intensive lobbying by council- contribution to Swindon’s need,
lors representing Freshbrook and particularly for more social hous-
Grange Park and over 200 letters ing. He said the proposal protected in Debt, Housing,
of objection. Lydiard Park whilst the Highways
The planning committee en- Agency and the Environmental
dorsed the refusal on the grounds Agency had not raised objections. Benefits, Discrimination
that the site is outside the agreed Troy Wilson, of the Grange Park
defined Swindon urban area. The Action Group which has been
scale, layout and density of the arguing against the Primegate Call us on: 01793 486926
plan was deemed inappropriate proposal since March, told council-
to the site, whilst approval of the lors, “agreeing to this development
application would give a green would set a very bad precedent. Email: [email protected]
light to further development on The committee is already aware
unallocated greenfield areas across that across Swindon builders have Visit us at:
the borough. permission for 7,000 homes which
Temple House, 115-118 Commercial Road
Swindon SN1 5PL

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm
www.wiltslawcentre.org.uk

Celebrating success after the planning committee meeting, from left, coun Mick Bray,
Tim Swinyard, Barrie Brocks, coun Peter Greenhalgh, coun Michael Dickinson,
Glynn Stevens, Troy Wilson
In the debate Freshbrook & have not yet been started.
Grange Park councillor Michael “This site has never been part of
Bray said the developers just want- any agreed plan for Swindon and
ed to build more houses without the developer is in complete denial
regard to the pressure on the people of the potential flood risks, the in-
living in the area, the inadequate adequate access on Hook Street and
road network to cope with hun- the impact on Lydiard Park which is
dreds of extra vehicle movements a jewel in Swindon’s crown.
and lack of school places. “This is a test of government
Coun Steve Wakefield, who rep- policy to encourage localism. Lo-
resents Westlea, said the develop- cal MPs, local councillors and local
ment represents a threat to his area. people object to this development.
“The water from this site drains to If local decision making is to mean
Whitehill brook. Not only will there anything, this proposal must not be
be a threat of flooding in Grange allowed to go ahead.”
Park from rain water coming off this The committee endorsed the of-
field, as experienced in 2007, there ficers’ recommendation and turned
will be flooding again in Westlea down the Primegate plan.
where the council has already spent Afterwards, resident Bev Cejer
a lot money in protecting homes and said, “common sense has pre-
the Link Centre.” vailed.”
Coun Nick Martin said the pro- Troy agreed. “Local decision
posal represented a wedge to prise making has worked because
open the door to development of residents worked hard to show this
2,000 houses south of Lydiard Park proposal was inappropriate.
to join Swindon to Hook, and also “Everybody who contributed
800 houses north of Peatmoor at to this success should feel very
Ridgeway Farm - both areas outside pleased.”
Swindon in Wiltshire Council. • Residents protest against 2,000
For the developers, Alistair Mc- home Hook Street plan. See picture
Donald of DPDS Consulting argued at www.swindonlink.com

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