Page 7 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2012 7
What price our democratic
freedoms - 700 houses?

Richard Pagett of environmental group Purton Ps & Qs, below, Walk Swindon
says house builder Taylor Wimpey is by-passing planning processes
Wiltshire Council is still reviewing referring to the concept of the “...
the planning application to build presumption in favour of sustainable Walking is ideal natural exercise.
700 homes to the north of Peatmoor development.”
at Ridgeway Farm in Wiltshire, but However this ‘presumption’ has New Walking Groups *
Taylor Wimpey cannot be bothered been widely discredited by many
to wait and wants to go straight experts from many perspectives and Haydon Wick Health Walk
to an appeal hearing in front of a was roundly condemned recently (free and open to all, part of the Walking for Health scheme)
planning inspector. by the Government’s own Thursdays - meets 9.45am at the Haydon Centre
The Ridgeway Farm Communities and Local
application serves the Government Committee. Evening Walk Fit
developer’s interest with Is no one listening? Starts Thursday 2nd February
no thought for Swindon, Taylor Wimpey main-
Lydiard or Purton or tains that the emerg- 7.00pm - 8.00pm from The Link Centre
anyone who lives there. ing draft Swindon Core Daytime Walk Fit
Taylor Wimpey ig- Strategy and the draft
nore the democratic in- Wiltshire Council Core Starts Monday 6th February
stitutions of Swindon Strategy are not impor- 10.00am - 11.30am from The Link Centre
Borough Council, and the people tant - yet these are the two most
of Swindon, who have unequivo- important planning documents *Free pedometer to anyone joining a
cally stated that these houses are that we have. Walk Fit group from The Link Centre in February
not needed to the west of the town. Instead, Taylor Wimpey relies on
Wiltshire Council has unequivo- old planning documents stretching Visit www.getwalking.org/swindon
cally stated in its draft planning Core back ten years, and even refers to to find local routes and sociable walking groups.
Strategy that it does not want, and proposals from over 30 years ago
does not need, houses to the west of and still cites the now-defunct draft
Swindon at Ridgeway Farm. Swin- 2007 South West Regional Spatial For more information, contact
don councillors do not want these Strategy which the Government Amanda or Cheryl on 01793 465413
houses, neither do Lydiard Millicent has clearly said should no longer be
councillors, Purton Parish council- regarded as valid. Their position is
lors or local Wiltshire councillors. all nonsense.
The three local MPs have expressed Everyone knows that North Wilt-
objections and so have more than shire, indeed the world, has changed
1,000 people. There is absolutely no irreversibly since then.
one who knows anything about the Taylor Wimpey should not be
area or its needs who is in favour of allowed to ride roughshod over
this housing. local people and their democratic
So where is the democracy? freedoms.
Taylor Wimpey states: “...Numer- • All previous objections to the
ous studies have concluded that land Ridgeway Farm development will
at Ridgeway Farm/Moredon Bridge be considered by the planning
represents the most sustainable and inspector. Anybody who has not
appropriate location for this growth.” yet expressed their view can
Yet, this location is not sustain- write, by 16 February, to leanne.
able and cannot be demonstrated [email protected] Quote:
as such. Taylor Wimpey even re- APP/Y3940/A/11/2166277/NWF
fers to the draft National Planning • The 8 day public enquiry hearing
Policy Framework in its arguments, will start on 9 May in Chippenham.
Major road works start on 6 February
Wiltshire councillor Jacqui Lay reports that work on the three way Cross-
lanes junction at Hayes Knoll Road, where the B4553 and C70 meet,
will start on 6 February.
The aim is to make the junction safer by reducing confusion as to which
drivers have right of way. The work will last for two weeks and temporary
lights will control traffic during this period. Drivers are advised to find a
different route or allow more time for delays.

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