Page 10 - link magazine

10 swindonlink.com • October 2012
Freshbrook sculpture made safe Tadpole Farm gets green light.

Nexus, the sculpture created by the late Japanese artist Hideo Furuta Oakhurst Way still to be a rat run
at Freshbrook Village Centre, has had a partial makeover.
Freshbrook councillor Cindy been a feature at Freshbrook Centre Swindon Council has confirmed the planning permission given in
Matthews had asked for repairs since it was built; it has a history June to Crest Homes to build 1,695 houses, a village centre, school and
to be carried out after resident Jon associated with the community. employment site north of Oakhurst.
Ratcliffe drew attention to the de- It needed some TLC and I’m glad It was agreed pending a three a derisory sum of £60,000 will be
terioration in the artwork. the council’s parks department has month delay to allow borough spent on making Oakhurst Way
officers and North Swindon coun- safer. It means the road will be the
cillors to negotiate a better Section main rat run for Tadpole Farm.
106 legal agreement with Crest to We really fear for the safety of
improve infrastructure. Oakhurst residents, particularly
But, as the borough solicitor children crossing the road to and
had advised the planning com- from Oakhurst and Red Oaks pri-
mittee that there were no grounds mary schools. It’s a disaster which
for blocking the application, and can be summed up by the leader
Crest had threatened an immediate of Swindon Council Rod Bluh who
appeal if it was rejected, there was recently stated in full council that
little reason to make concessions. he wanted this local estate road ‘fit
In June Oakhurst Residents’ As- for purpose.’”
sociation (ORA) chair Paul Exell John Terry, MD of Crest Strategic
urged the committee to turn down Projects, said he was delighted
the application as there were too by the decision. “Following the
Swindon Commercial Services staff lifting part of Nexus onto new wooden supports
many unclear issues. unanimous approval of the plan-
In 1986 Hideo moved to Swin- replaced the rotten wood.” On 11 September Paul said he ning application three months
don with his family and spent six However the work is not to every- and the ORA members were very ago, we have worked closely with
months on site carving huge blocks body’s liking. Village shopkeepers disappointed. “As far as we can planning committee members
of blue pennant stone from a quarry have told Cllr Matthews that the art see the three month delay agreed to refine details of the planning
in South Wales - the same as used piece should be relocated, though in June has produced nothing of agreement, which will deliver a
at Stonehenge - into three interlock- this would leave an open space. significance; in fact it was just a fig mixed use urban extension of high
ing segments mounted on wooden Dentist Brendon Ball from the leaf for councillors to cover up the quality homes with on-plot parking
railway sleepers. adjacent surgery is concerned that embarrassment of doing a u-turn and will also incorporate a nature
The project was funded by the sculpture will continue to be at the planning meeting after they park, common and woodland. As
Thamesdown Council’s per cent a seating area for drunks and a campaigned against Tadpole Farm a result, the officers and councillors
for art scheme, but after 26 years place to trap litter. “It’s all very in May’s elections. are confident that our plans and
the stones had become unstable as well making the stones safe, but “The primary school does not investment in local infrastructure
the supporting wood started to rot. the surrounding area is just broken have to be constructed until 565 will deliver a fantastic new com-
Cllr Matthews said: “Nexus has tarmac that needs to be repaired.” dwellings have been occupied and munity for Swindon.”

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