Page 8 - link magazine
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8 swindonlink.com • June 2012
Decision awaited on Ridgeway Farm
Battle has been done in front of a planning inspector in Chippenham between opponents to 700 houses
proposed for Ridgeway Farm, north of West Swindon in Wiltshire, and developers Taylor Wimpey.
Taylor Wimpey believe that close the gap between the town development, nobody wants it to
Swindon needs more houses, even and Purton and will cause a great go ahead.”
though they would be built in Wilt- deal of extra traffic and pressure on South Swindon MP Robert Buck-
shire, and claim the site has been Swindon’s infrastructure. land also addressed the enquiry.
identified in planning documents At the heart of the planning He said: “I believe that develop-
for many years. inspector’s consideration is the ment would further worsen traffic
Objections were lodged by government’s new National Plan- congestion on Mead Way, as well
Wiltshire Council and Swindon ning Framework which emphasises as Swinley Drive which is a resi-
Borough Council, MPs and coun- the need for more development to dential road, with knock-on effects
cillors from both authorities, and satisfy growing housing demand throughout the area.
residents’ organisations from both whilst recognising the value of ‘ordi- “If this appeal is allowed, more
sides of the border, as well as over nary’ green land. Against this is the green space essential to the rural
1,000 petitioners. They all believe government’s localism legislation surroundings of West Swindon
building on green fields will further which says the views of communities will be lost.”
affected by development proposals Planning inspector Katie Peerless
should be held in high regard. will announce her ruling on the
Whilst barristers for Wiltshire development later in the summer.
and Taylor Wimpey argued tech- • Read Kevin’s presentation at www.
nicalities of planning law and the shawresidents.org.uk
environmental impli-
cations of building
at Ridgeway Farm,
community represen-
By Sue tatives presented the
enquiry with the real
◆ Your local family hairdresser impact of imposing
◆ 25% discount for Seniors another 700 houses on
Swindon.
Call now for an appointment Shaw councillor
on 01793 871120 Nick Martin told the
enquiry that Taylor
or 07967 363322 Wimpey’s proposal
HOME VISITS AVAILABLE would make major de-
mands on Swindon’s
infrastructure with Kevin Fisher, surveying traffic on Swinley Drive
minimal financial input.
an appeal in the April and May Tadpole Farm to
Shaw resident Kevin Fisher made
Links for residents to support his committee in June
objections at the enquiry. He said: The Crest Homes proposal to build
“Receiving over 660 messages in just 1,700 houses north of Oakhurst
6 weeks showed that people are re- and Redhouse will be debated by
ally concerned about the significant Swindon Council’s planning com-
deterioration in the quality of life mittee on Tuesday 12 June, 6pm,
if a development twice the size of at the Civic Officers.
As the site is included in the
Sparcells was to go ahead with no fa-
cilities, other than a primary school. Swindon planning Core Strategy it
“I pointed out to the inspector goes to committee with an officers
Why put off making a Will? that Ridgeway Farm cannot be recommendation for approval.
seen in isolation. Within Swindon’s Steph Exell, Oakhurst Residents’
boundaries, mainly in the north, Association (ORA) secretary, is
“It’s too morbid”
Making a Will won’t kill you! By taking responsibility and a little thought, there are plans agreed or proposals dismayed that borough officers are
you’ll prevent a great deal of stress and pain at what will be a difficult time. for over 2,600 houses which will backing the proposal. She said: “The
impact West Swindon.” northern link road to Tadpole Farm
“My partner will get everything” On the final day for evidence is now unlikely to be completed
Not necessarily, the law can be complicated and often not what you would Kevin quizzed Taylor Wimpey’s before 2020 which means some
want. A professional Will can ensure children from your current or previous traffic consultant who admitted that construction and all residents’ traffic
relationship get their rightful inheritance. It can also save the family home Swinley Drive is only 6.75 metres will come along Thamesdown Drive
from being sold by the authorities to pay for Long Term Care Fees.
wide, not 7.3m as he claimed. He and Oakhurst Way.
“It’s too time consuming” or “I can’t be bothered” also accepted Kevin’s traffic survey “People living in Oakhurst will be
True, it will need some thought from you regarding who gets what, but the which showed about 250 cars per amazed that the Highways Agency
actual process is simple. 1hr is usually adequate for the meeting. hour used it at peak times (in a has confirmed that the impact of
southerly direction), not 80 vehicles Tadpole Farm on Oakhurst Way is
“It’s just too expensive”
Just plain wrong. A single Will is £99.00 a Couple’s Will £179.00 incl VAT. as stated in the planning application. not severe and two zebra crossings
With that level of error Kevin are all that is required to make the
So what’s stopping you? asked whether any of the traffic road safe. I really don’t think par-
It’s never too early to make your Will, it can be too late. data was valid. ents walking children to and from
He told The Link: “The decision at Oakurst Primary School will be
on Ridgeway Farm is a major test assured by this.”
32 – 33 Commercial Road, Swindon, SN1 5NS of the government’s view that lo- • Keep up to date with ORA’s view-
Tel: 01793 433705 / www.foresightwills.com cal voices must be heard on plan- point at http://bit.ly.oakhurst
ning matters. Apart from Taylor • See the Crest application at www.
Foresight Wills are proud members of the New Leaf Will Writers Federation
Wimpey’s desire for a speculative tadpolefarm.com
1-18 June 12.indd 8 18/05/2012 16:09
