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Judicial review of Ridgeway Farm decision not on
A barrister has examined Planning Inspector Katie Peerless’s judgement that Taylor Wimpey’s application to build 700 houses at Ridgeway Farm
should be permitted and has advised that Wiltshire Council does not have a realistic prospect of winning a High Court challenge to communities
secretary Eric Pickles’ decision to approve the development.
The land next to Peatmoor and that Wiltshire Council had one hand judicial review of the Ridgeway Farm increases on West Swindon’s residen-
Sparcells will in effect become part tied behind their back when the In- decision. Proposals that will mitigate tial roads.”
of Swindon, but within the Wiltshire spector recommended to the minister the impact of the development in the The association is also calling on
administrative area. The impact on that the 2006 housing figures were best possible manner for the local Taylor Wimpey to include provision
the town’s road network is predicted used. I think that’s a poor decision, community are needed. for a small shop within the Ridgeway
to be huge, given that there will also but legally requirements of the recent “The SRA would like to see Swin- Farm development should demand
be new housing in North Swindon at Localism Act cannot be applied don Council review Swinley Drive warrant it, and to reconsider the
Tadpole Farm (1,700) and off Akers retrospectively which has restricted and impose the most appropriate layout of the spine road so that it is
Way (up to 500). grounds for a judicial review.” traffic management techniques to re-routed around the north and east
Coun Dale Heenan, Swindon “Wiltshire Council is the local minimise the expected traffic volume of the site.”
Council cabinet member for strategic planning authority who received
planning and sustainability, said: “The this application, yet it is the people Ridgeway Farm rat-run consultation
Ridgeway Farm planning application of Swindon and the borough council to take place on 16 February
was submitted in 2010 before many who will suffer from this decision.”
changes to the planning system like Dale added that he met South Shaw councillor Keith Williams is looking at how to prevent residential roads
the Localism Act were brought in by Swindon MP Robert Buckland in across West Swindon becoming totally clogged up as a result of Ridgeway
this Government. December to press him to lobby Farm, and he wants to hear people’s views.
“The Ridgeway Farm judgement the Chancellor George Osborne to
is largely based on whether future support capital investment in the
housing figures set out in the 2006 extension of Thamesdown Drive to
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) - as Great Western Way to relieve the
required by the last government, pressure on the road network to the
applied. Wiltshire Council and west of the town.
Swindon Council argued that the Shaw Residents’ Association chair
revised, lower predictions for new Kevin Fisher, who put residents’ ob-
housing given in the new local plans jections at the planning enquiry, said:
being drawn up were more relevant. “The SRA is disappointed that Wilt-
“It is clear from the appeal decision shire Council chose not to pursue a
Keith Williams, where a bus gate might be installed
He and Swindon Council traffic Traffic engineers say the cost ef-
engineers will be discussing options fective solution would be a CCTV
at Peatmoor Social Hall, Swinley monitored, full or part time, bus gate
Drive on Saturday 16 February, 11am at the north end of Swinley Drive.
to 1pm. He said: “I realise traffic restrictions
“It is obvious that extending Mead might not suit everybody living at the
Way to Ridgeway Farm is going to top of Swinley Drive - some in Wilt-
6 Star Service from improve access from north Wiltshire shire, some in Swindon. Some might
Trevor Salter to and from the M4, and also places have longer journeys, but we need to
like Link Centre, the shopping centre look at ways to reduce the impact
✰ View and select in your own and roads into town,” said Keith. across the whole of West Swindon.”
home - day or evening “Because of congestion on Mead Keith added: “We’re not rushing
✰ Free no obligation Way, a lot of drivers already use routes into anything until we know the tim-
measuring and quoting through Shaw to by-pass the hold ups.” escale the developers come forward
✰ Luxury underlay, all Shaw Residents’ Association chair- with, but everybody needs to be part
accessories and installation man Kevin Fisher, who researched of the discussion on how to mitigate
included in the price! traffic use of Swinley Drive before the impact of the decision to allow
✰ Competitive prices: speaking at the Ridgeway Farm Ridgeway Farm to go ahead.”
Our customers tell us so See the carpet or floor covering of planning enquiry, said:
✰ Old carpets lifted and your choice, where it will be enjoyed, “Given current Mead
removed next to your other furnishings, Way congestion and
✰ Furniture moved and receive the benefit of 35 years using the developer’s
as required of experience in Swindon traffic numbers, there
could be 1,000 vehicles
No hidden extras; no obligation - just great service an hour using Swinley
Challenge me to beat your existing quotes. Drive - a four fold
You will be pleasantly surprised
increase on the pres-
Call Trevor: ent 250 vehicles. That
01793 812995 or 07860 882588 would be very close
or email: [email protected] to the road’s capac-
www.carpetsswindon.co.uk ity and intolerable for
residents.”
6 swindonlink.com • February 2013

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