Page 7 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • July 2011 7
Rubbish proposals next to Tadpole Farm

At the recent consultation meet- Richard Fisher, Swindon Coun- dated June 2011, Chapel Farm is March 2010 when they stated that
ings conducted by Crest Nichol- cil’s Waste Management manager earmarked for development of they would represent ‘bad neigh-
son, where they outlined the confi rmed that the current landfi ll a waste-to-energy facility, with bour’ issues for potential Tadpole
plans for 1,700 homes on the site, site will be restored to agricultural requirements for dust, bioaerosol Farm residents.
a number of residents enquired land in 2016, at which point the and odour mitigation. However borough council plan-
about the plans to restore the cur- problem of smell will be elimi- The proposal remains despite ning offi cer Ian Halsall said, “the
rent Chapel Farm landfi ll facility nated. “However if residents are Crest Nicholson’s opposition in council is promoting community
adjacent to the development area, concerned about wide approaches to renewable en-
and about proposals to install a odours now they ergy with preference to district
waste to energy plant to provide should contact heating systems, as set out in our
combined heat and power to the environmental draft Core Strategy.
new community. health,” he said. “We are keen to investigate the
Karen Laurence of Oakhurst ex- According to a opportunities of utilising Chapel
pressed concerns about the odours draft submission Farm as a resource to generate en-
currently emanating from Chapel of the Wiltshire ergy and Crest are happy to work
Farm during periods of hot weather, and Swindon with us on this.”
and wondered whether potential Waste Site Al- • Chapel Farm will be discussed at
residents at Tadpole Farm would locations De- the North Swindon Cluster meeting
be similarly affected. velopment Plan on 7 July. See page 4.
North Swindon was once a highwayman’s haunt

Anybody who has driven along Tadpole Lane, presently forming the northern boundary to Oakhurst and Redhouse might wonder
why it’s so straight with such wide open verges. Local historian Frances Bevan explains the reason.
Once close to the crossroads of trees were planted at a distance from that put her off or the bone idle son of Noah and Sarah Ody who
the North Wilts Canal, the Mid- the road to provide travellers with a tendencies of the bridegroom who farmed in neighbouring Purton and
land and South Western Junction good view of any lurking brigands. appeared to lack a certain get up Lydiard Tregoze.
Railway and a major route from The oldest part of the present and go. By the 1881 census Thomas’s
Bristol to Oxford, today Tadpole farmhouse was built about 200 It was said that Mr Atherton had eldest son Absalom had taken over
Farm is both a quiet backwater years ago by the somewhat eccentric an especially low window built the reins where he remained for
and at the centre of controversial Squire Atherton in anticipation of in his bedroom overlooking the over 10 years.
development plans. his forthcoming nuptials. farmyard so that he could shout Tadpole Farm is currently owned
In the 18th Century Tadpole Lane Sadly the prospective Mrs Ather- his orders to his men without the by developers Crest Nicholson and
was a popular stagecoach route and ton declined his offer of matrimony. inconvenience of getting out of bed. included in Swindon Council’s
therefore the haunt of opportunist We don’t know if it was the thought In 1877 the then 287 acre farm was Core Planning Strategy for future
highway robbers. Legend has it that of those marauding highwaymen occupied by Thomas Ody, eldest development.

Bradon Forest

School

Purton, Swindon, SN5 4AT

Did you know that Bradon Forest is only minutes from North and West Swindon?

In early July we will be providing information packs for
all Year 5 pupils which will include full details on
our successful school and how to apply for a place at
Bradon Forest.

We are continuing to run and expand our own Bradon
Bus Service with a number of routes serving North and
West Swindon and Old Town.
If you require any further information on buses
or admission, please telephone Mrs Emma Hayden on
01793 770570.

Advance notice: our Open Evening will take place on
Thursday 22 September 2011.
Is your child due to be
starting secondary school in See www.bradonforest.co.uk for full details including
September 2012? dates for our Open Mornings in September and October.

See more of what we get up to at www.bradonforest.wilts.sch.uk

Our students come from: Abbey Meads,
Bridlewood, Catherine Wayte, Oakhurst,
Orchid Vale, Red Oaks, St Francis, Greenmeadow,
1-20 July 11.indd 7 Haydonleigh, Haydon Wick, Moredon, Rodbourne,
16/06/2011 09:16
Brook Field, Lydiard Millicent, Millbrook,
Oliver Tomkins, Shaw Ridge, Toothill, Tregoze
and Westlea.