Page 6 - link magazine

North Swindon orchid field not under development threat
A comment in the March Link by a councillor about the large green field in the middle of Oakhurst caused worry amongst residents that a unique
area could be lost.
During the consultation in Febru- very overdeveloped. We’re lucky to ers found here, along with butterflies legal protection to this site. It is not
ary on where to locate another primary have it.” like the Common Blue. time limited; it does not ‘run out.’
school to serve families across North The 16 acres now known as Clifford The field was saved after Friends “The SSSI has recently been classi-
Swindon, Coun Emma Faramazi Meadow has never seen the farmer’s of the Earth Swindon successfully fied as being in ‘unfavourable recover-
told The Link that she would like to plough and had only ever been used demanded the incoming 1997 Labour ing’ condition (with the emphasis on
know whether the untouched green for grazing cattle in late summer after a Government review the plans for the ‘recovering’). My colleagues report
area between Southwold Close and hay crop had been cut. Over hundreds 5,500 houses to be built in Priory that the meadow is looking better now
Cassini Drive could be considered. of years it evolved as a traditional hay Vale. As a result a new masterplan than it has for some time.”
In April she said: “As a relatively meadow to become one of the few for the area was created which linked A Swindon Council spokesman
new councillor I wasn’t aware of the sites in Britain where the rare green separated green areas into corridors. confirmed the council’s position.
history or status of the site. I’ve since winged orchid can be found. In 2001 the meadow farmed by “Clifford Meadow was never one of
learnt that it is protected and agree Meadow betony, yellow rattle and the Clifford family was designated the potential sites for a new school in
it is a green lung in an area which is ox-eye daisy are just a few of the flow- by Natural England as the Haydon North Swindon. Its status as an SSSI
Meadow Site of Special Scientific protects it, and that is the council’s
Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife position.”
and Countryside Act 1981. North Swindon MP Justin Tomlin-

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From the June 2006 Link front page, Caryl Clifford launching the meadow in her
PREMIER FLOORING family’s name with Oakhurst residents and Neil Pullen of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
The site interpretation board can be seen off Southwold Close, Oakhurst
The orchid was incorporated in son said: “The SSSI is absolutely not
CARPETS - VINYLS - LAMINATES marketing material for Priory Vale an option for development now, nor

THE PREMIER SERVICE house builders and was chosen as the in the future. It is a valuable commu-
GUARANTEED TO SAVE logo for Orchid Vale Primary School nity asset and will rightly remain so.”
in nearby Haydon End.
Haydon Meadow SSSI is part of
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Chris Hirst, press officer at Natural the green corridor that stretches from
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all carpet and vinyl orders over ple that Clifford Meadow is protected includes a 100 acre wildlife reserve to
£200 for all time. “Haydon Meadow SSSI be developed by Crest Nicholson and
FREE moving of furniture and is not under any development threat; managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
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NO Hall, stairs and landing Tadpole Farm chosen for extra school
surcharges Tadpole Farm is to have a second primary school after Swindon Council’s
NO Delivery charges HOME SELECTION SERVICE cabinet agreed that another North Swindon school should be built there.
NO Hidden Extras As part of their planning permission Crest Homes were required to have
NO PRESSURE SALES
All products guaranteed FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION built a school by the time 564 of the 1,650 houses for the site north of Oakhurst
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“WHY PAY MORE DAY - EVENING - WEEKENDS had been under consideration and Tadpole Farm was chosen as the least
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EXISTING DECOR AND FURNISHINGS Orchid Vale Primary School.
CALL STEVEN WALDRON 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN Crest has agreed to open up Tadpole Farm for development sooner than
TEL 01793 320974 INSTALLATION AND PRODUCT expected and provide land for another primary school, but Swindon Council
MOB 07812 855250 SALES will have to pay £3 million to build a safe access road across what will become
[email protected] “A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS THAT a giant construction site - in addition to the cost of building the school. The
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A planning application for the school and the road will be submitted soon.
6 swindonlink.com • May 2013

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