Page 6 - link magazine

6 swindonlink.com • February 2012
Community groups insulted by council’s Tadpole Farm dealings

The North Swindon Community Association has pooled resources and sponsored an independent review of Crest Nicholson’s Transport
and Highways Assessment that accompanies the planning application for 1,700 homes at Tadpole Farm, north of Oakhurst and Redhouse.
At an open meeting in Blunsdon how much of Crest’s traffic model-
Village Hall in December North ling applies to the whole Tadpole
Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson Farm development. It appears that
emphasised the importance of mak- their original assessment applied
ing technically viable objections to to the first phase of development
up-coming development proposals, - only 323 houses or 19 per cent of
and said Swindon Council had the total proposed.
agreed officers would provide “I am also concerned that the
assistance. cumulative impact of other devel-
The findings of the review of opments are not part of the discus-
Crest’s plans, conducted for resi- sion. For example the 700 houses at
dents by Swindon-based consul- Ridgeway Farm in Wiltshire don’t
tants Badingham Limited, makes figure in traffic surveys.” Oakhurst and Tadpole Farm, separated by Tadpole Lane
interesting reading says Stephanie The review highlights the heavy
Exell of Oakhurst Residents’ Asso- reliance that Crest place on a rapid • a lack of analysis of current travel assistance from the council. “We
ciation. She said: “It is very unclear transit bus route from Tadpole Farm patterns in the area: wanted to ensure that any evidence
to the town centre to reduce car use. • unrepresentative and overly submitted would be viable, but it
North Swindon However there is doubt as to the optimistic trip rate figures for both would be ludicrous for us to try
Locality Meeting reliability and likelihood of such a domestic and light industrial traffic and find the manpower the council
service being implemented. Stepha-
at peak hours.
say is required for a traffic survey.
Wednesday 1 February, 7pm nie said: “It is our understanding Community representatives say It would mean surveying five junc-
Village Hall, High St. Blunsdon that this idea has been withdrawn.” they are perplexed by the council’s tions six hours a day, three days a
A chance for people living in North The review identifies flawed apparent easy acceptance of Crest’s week for three weeks, as well as
Swindon to discuss community is- data and some highway guideline case, despite it failing to meet the logging an analysis of each vehicle.
sues with councillors representing contraventions by Crest, including: standards set by the highways “It is grossly unfair that the
the different wards in the area. • calling Tadpole Farm highly ac- department. council could lapse the rules for the
Agenda items include discus- cessible when measurements were However, taking up Justin Tom- developers but demand exacting
sions on community speed watch taken as the crow flies, against linson’s offer, North Swindon Com- rules from the community.”
and Mouldon Hill Park. Officers from Swindon Council’s recommended munity Association representatives Steph Exell is also alarmed by
the Neighbourhood Police Team approach of measuring intended met council officers in January and the council’s attitude. She said: “It
will provide an update on activities routes from the centre of the site; were told of the complicated proce- is disingenuous of the Borough to
across North Swindon. • not all parts of the site are within dures required to undertake a viable offer support to the community in
There will also be the opportunity 400 metres recommended distance traffic survey - which residents an activity that is so unrealistic and
to raise items of community concern. from a bus route; would have to undertake. prohibitive for us to carry out alone.
Terry Hunt of Rodbourne Cheney Frankly what we were offered is
Residents’ Association was very an insult.”
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Haydon Wick pub becomes Arkell’s house
Swindon brewery Arkell’s acquired The Fox and Hounds in Haydon
Wick just before Christmas, adding to its range of older and modern
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or email: said: “The licensed industry chang- important for every licensed prem-
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