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swindonlink.com • November 2012 5
Decision on 700 houses due soon Community action in West Swindon

A planning inspector will pronounce on 1 November as to whether Raise your concerns and pick up information from Swindon Council staff
Taylor Wimpey should be permitted to build 700 houses at Ridgeway and the police on:
Farm, north of Peatmoor, over Swindon’s border in Wiltshire. Saturday 27 October, 11am to 2pm, Link Centre
The original planning applica- made at the appeal hearing together Monday 29 October, 10am to 2pm, Toothill Village Centre
tion was turned down by Wiltshire with Swindon Council’s decision Tuesday 30 October, 11am to 2pm, Shaw Village Centre
Council in 2011 after concerted to proceed with the Tadpole Farm Wednesday 31 October, 10am to 12noon, West Swindon Centre
opposition by MPs and councillors development will give the Inspector There will also be play area consultations and a litter pick. For details
from both authorities, community reason to dismiss Ridgeway Farm. mail Gail Light; [email protected]
groups and over 1,000 people who “I feel the most important mes- Meet a councillor in the West
signed a petition. sage is that, for the Localism Act
Taylor Wimpey’s appeal against to be relevant to local people new The West Swindon Forum takes place in the library at Link Centre on
the rejection was heard in May, sites must come forward through Monday 12 November, 7pm. Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.
arguing that they are well placed community led planning and that Agenda items will include residents open question time, an update on
to provide new homes. the people need to be involved Middleaze Fields skate park, feedback from the West week of action,
and reports from the police and fire service.
The forum is a meeting point between residents and councillors rep-
resenting the three wards covering the area.

Kevin Fisher, overlooking the east side of Ridgeway Farm
Opponents told the inspector locally to ensure we can have our
Katie Peerless that the impact on voices heard.”
Swindon’s infrastructure, par- South Swindon MP Robert Buck-
ticularly the road network, from land added that the groundswell
an unplanned development would of opposition to this proposal
be considerable, whilst Wiltshire should not be ignored. ”Swindon
residents expressed concern that and Wiltshire Councils, local MPs
the town should remain within its and councillors together with com-
existing boundary. munity groups have all opposed
Shaw resident Kevin Fisher, who development at Ridgeway Farm
spoke effectively at the public en- because it represents an unwelcome
quiry said: “The Secretary of State additional burden on our local
has two decisions to make, one is environment and infrastructure. I
whether to approve the Wiltshire hope that the Planning Inspector
Council core strategy, the other is will reject this appeal.”
whether to approve or reject the
Ridgeway Farm appeal.
“To approve the former means Shaw residents
he cannot approve Ridgeway Farm meet on 5 November
since such a development is outside
of the strategy. To reject the former Shaw Residents’ Association (SRA)
would make a mockery of the Lo- next meets on 5 November and
calism Act by, in effect, dictating to 3 December to discuss issues of
local councils the content of their community concern and provide a
strategy and returning the system forum to work with statutory authori-
to the centralised process used by ties, voluntary organisations and
the previous government. businesses.
“I remain convinced of the ar- SRA now covers Shaw, Middle-
guments put forward during the leaze, Ramleaze, Peatmoor, Spar-
appeal against development on cells, The Prinnels, Eastleaze and Studio, one and two bedroom flats for rent to people over
Ridgeway Farm and cannot see part of Westlea.
how it can be approved. Meetings take place on the first 60, in Freshbrook and Stratton St Margaret
“However, the government may Monday of the month at 8.30pm,
well decide that development in Shaw community hall next to the • Live independently in a safe and secure community
would help the economy by boost- doctor’s surgery at Shaw Village
ing construction GDP numbers. In Centre (behind Tesco) • Rent includes heating, electricity, water and repairs
my opinion it would simply slow New members are always wel-
developments of existing approved come to attend. Or mail the chair,
sites and not be of any benefit to Kevin Fisher at: shaw-residents@ • 24-hour careline, laundry and lovely gardens
the economy. virginmedia.com
“In summary the decision could www.shawresidents.org.uk To find out more, call the Lettings Team on
go either way but at least we as a Shaw Residents
community can be sure we could community litter pick 0118 931 7272
not have done more Saturday 3 November,10am
Wiltshire councillor Jacqui Lay
Shaw Village Centre
said: “We can’t second guess how Pickers & sacks provided. Southern Housing Group Limited is a charitable housing association.
Ridgeway Farm will go but I hope Please bring gloves
that the excellent representations

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