Page 8 - link magazine

8 swindonlink.com • August 2012
West skate park plans on show Lydiard Fields

A £60,000 skate, bmx and scooter park at Salt Way Fields in Middleleaze is being designed with input from under threat again
a group of young people and could be ready in December - subject to planning permission being granted. A green buffer between Lydiard
The scheme will be displayed on Park and West Swindon could
Wednesday 8 August, 5.30pm to have 91 new houses on it in an-
6.30pm, in the Link Centre library other bid by developers to build
where there will be a chance to talk more homes.
to the youngsters and designers Having had their application for
from Bendcrete Skateparks. 175 houses off Hook Street rejected
Aaron Colver, 12, said he was at a planning appeal in May 2011
pleased that the dream of a skate- because of the visual intrusion upon
park in the West is coming closer. Lydiard Park, developers are back
“I wrote to Coun Nick Martin over with a more modest proposal for 91
a year ago to say young people dwellings beyond sight of the park.
needed a place to use BMX bikes Planning consultants Pegasus on
and skateboards and not much hap- behalf of house builders Persimmon
pened. Then we spoke at the West Homes displayed their proposals
Swindon Forum meeting in July. on 23 and 24 July, after The Link
It’s really good that we’re involved went to press.
in the designs and that the park is Showing off design options, from left, Nick Martin with Liam Dobson, Aaron Calver, Residents are again organising
going to be built.” and Dan Sharp, Olly Morton and Wendy Davies of Bendcrete Skateparks opposition to development beyond
Swindon’s urban envelope.
See the plans at swindonlink
online: bit.ly/lydiardfields

Hope that Wiltshire plan
will stave off Ridgeway
Farm development
Wiltshire Council has agreed its
core planning strategy, clearly stat-
ing that further housing develop-
ment beyond Swindon’s western
border is unnecessary.
Campaigners against Taylor
Wimpey’s proposal to build 700
homes at Ridgeway Farm, north of
Peatmoor and Sparcells, hope this
will sway the decision of a planning
inspector considering the develop-
ment proposal.
They also hope the inspector’s
judgement will be reinforced by
Swindon Council’s planning com-
mittee agreement to allow 1,700
homes to be built at Tadpole Farm.
Wiltshire councillor Jacqui Lay
welcomed Wiltshire’s decision. “I
PART OF OUR NEW UPHOLSTRY RANGES am pleased that the core strategy
highlights protection of the distinct
character and identity of villages
Beautiful and settlements, especially those
• Oak which adjoin Swindon Borough
• Pine • Futons Council. It would have been nice
• Painted Furniture to have had the rural buffer re-
instated but we are reassured that
Plus: Many lovely the policies in the core strategy will
accessories for your home protect us.
“Our big issue is the pressure
being put onto the infrastructure of
the roads as they are inadequate to
cope with the existing traffic flows
and HGV routes.”
Shaw Residents’ Association
chair Kevin Fisher said he was
pleased that both Swindon and
Wiltshire’s planning core strategies
were now aligned against further
development to the west, beyond
the town’s borders. “It’s a clear
Open: Mon to Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm Sun 10.30am – 4.30pm statement that Ridgeway Farm
Willoby's Furniture Co. 34 Wood Street Old Town Swindon Wiltshire SN1 4AB should remain as green fields.”
The Wiltshire Core Strategy will
now be considered by a planning
Tel: 01793 693696 [email protected] www.willobysfurniture.co.uk inspector before another round of
public consultation.

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