Page 6 - link magazine

6 swindonlink.com • September 2012
Councillors respond to criticism about Tadpole Farm
Paul Exell, chair of Oakhurst Residents’ Association, criticised Swindon Council’s planning committee decision to permit Crest Homes to build 1,700
houses at Tadpole Farm in the August Link, naming councillors Mark Edwards, Toby Elliott and Emma Faramazi who represent Oakhurst ward. Here
they react.
As ward councillors in the North- count the entire weight of evidence thousands of pounds. Worse still, rubber-stamped without the ap-
ern Sector, we were disappointed rather than be selective with the facts Crest could have built more or less proval of ward councillors, so we
but not surprised by last month’s to suit our pre-determined opinions. whatever they wanted, and our retain control.
article from the chair of Oakhurst Planning is a quasi-legal process right to the ‘Section 106’ monies We are already seeing the fruits
Residents’ Association. and all decisions have to stand up (developer contributions) for things of this outcome. Ward councillors
Regrettably ORA sought to be to potential challenge in a court of such as schools and roads would have insisted that Crest must pro-
vindictive and score political points, law. The unequivocal advice from have been lost. In short, we would vide money for extra school places
rather than contribute anything legal counsel was that there were have completely lost control of the specifically in the northern sector,
to benefit the local residents they no grounds to refuse the Tadpole development. This was our biggest rather than the cash leaking across
purport to represent. Farm application that would have fear, since it’s exactly what’s caused the whole borough. That’s just one
It’s all too easy to criticise elected survived an appeal. all the problems with the existing example - there is much more hard
representatives faced with tough We could have deferred or reject- northern sector development. work still going on.
decisions. We have to take into ac- ed the plans outright. That would We therefore proposed a ‘third Before the planning committee
have been politically popular, but way’: that permission be granted, meeting, the Labour Party - appar-
THE COMPLETE it would have been a short-lived but withheld for up to three ently assisted by ORA committee
members - delivered leaflets calling
victory. Crest would have almost months while Crest and the coun-
CURTAIN SERVICE certainly won on appeal costing cil negotiate the final shape of the for the application to be deferred.
council tax-payers hundreds of agreement. Vitally, nothing can be On the night, Labour councillors
CURTAINS TO SATISFY didn’t even propose this option, and
EVERY REQUIREMENT Locality meetings in September voted to grant permission. ORA fail
•Free estimating, design & advice to mention this, which speaks vol-
•Home visits by appointment Locality meetings based on six groupings of council wards provide the umes about their political motives.
•Make-up and fitting service opportunity for residents to discuss council policies and community is- In the weeks since the meet-
BLINDS OF ALL KINDS sues with councillors. ing, your ward councillors have
•Wooden •Venetian The West Swindon Forum covers Mannington and Western, Lydiard and held a public forum, knocked on
•New linen •Roman Freshbrook, and Shaw Wards and next meets on Monday 10 September,
•Verticals •Roller thousands of doors, and are work-
•New Eastern materials 7pm, in West Swindon Library. ing hard to get the best possible
PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT AT OUR The North Swindon Locality covers Haydon Wick, Priory Vale and outcome for fellow local residents.
WORKSHOP AT 252 CRICKLADE ROAD (free parking) St Andrews wards and next meets on Monday 10 September, 7pm, in By contrast, ORA have indulged
OR TO REQUEST A HOME VISIT North Swindon Library. in politically-motivated sniping.
Call Tracey or Amanda on 01793 611051 or The aim of the council’s locality approach and details of all six locality This is a difference which growing
[email protected] areas can be found at http://bit.ly/swindonlocalities numbers of local people are now
www.completecurtainservice.co.uk Councillors for each ward are listed at http://bit.ly/swindonreps recognising.

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