Page 8 - link magazine

8 swindonlink.com • June 2011
Little progress on pub plan for Redhouse

A pub at Redhouse Village Centre has been promised by developers Crest Nicholson since the master plan for Priory Vale was drawn up in
2001. They say they’re committed to providing one, though doubts abound.
“The lack of a pub is a huge frus- there has been no commitment.
tration to people living in Redhouse Interest has been shown by a res-
and Oakhurst who are aware that taurant/takeaway in the north of
a pub should be built at the centre, the site but this has not materialised
but see no sign of progress,” said into a commercial agreement.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlin- “It is Crest’s intention to retain
son who is a member of both the land for the pub/restaurant in
Parliamentary Save the Pubs group the local centre. The company are
and the British Beer Group. currently reviewing the land uses
“It’s an open secret that Arkell with Swindon Borough Council
are keen to be the operators but in response to changes in market
I think Crest have been asking an demand since the original plan was
unreasonable price for the site. conceived.”
“The provision of a pub is clear A spokeswoman for Arkell’s
in the Priory Vale Master Plan and confirmed that the company is not
if Crest believe they can achieve a currently in discussion with Crest.
An artist’s illustration used many times by The Link that never turns into reality
change of site use because they say • What do you think? Is it time for
there hasn’t been interest - they had Redhouse Village Centre, one op- due to market conditions. residents to make their views heard
better reconsider. Residents won’t posite Tesco and the other is off the ‘Crest continue to explore inter- more loudly? Mail: publisher@
accept this idea, nor will I, nor will Market Square. est by pub operators but to date swindonlink.com
the borough council. We’ll fight the “The provision of a pub/res-
idea tooth and nail.” taurant is not a requirement of the Planning strategy consultation extended
In response to residents’ criticism S106 legal agreement between the
of the lack of delivery at Redhouse developer and the borough council. Swindon Council planners have extended the deadline for comments on
centre, at one of the public consulta- This is determined by the market. the Core Strategy for planning the town up to 2026 until Thursday 16 June.
tion meetings on the proposals for “The site opposite Tesco was The document sets out what the council believes is the future need for
housing at Tadpole Farm, Crest’s the subject of a planning permis- housing, employment, transport and infrastructure. It says 25,000 new
development director John Iliffe sion granted to Marstons’ in 2008. homes are needed by 2026, of which 6,050 have been built.
said he was “ashamed” about the Having obtained planning permis- Land to the east of the town close to the A419, next to Coate Water,
state of the centre and the lack of sion they decided not to purchase at Wichelstowe, and Tadpole Farm are identified as sites which could
progress. the land due to change in market accommodate the other 18,950.
Crest representative Sarah Foster conditions. Since then the only However the Core Strategy does not include the 800 houses being
told The Link, “there are two pub/ interest has been from Arkell’s but proposed in Wiltshire on the border of West Swindon.
restaurant sites identified for the they have now withdrawn, again Read the Core Strategy at: http://bit.ly/swindonCS

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