Page 8 - link magazine

133.5X93.5 SWINDON_Layout 1 09/01/2015 16:39 Page 1

Protesting in November against Taylor Wimpey’s proposal to build next
to Lydiard Park, from left, Wiltshire councillor Mollie Groom, James Gray,
Robert Buckland, Swindon councillors Tim Swinyard and Nick Martin
Mind the gap: County plan in
place to keep our town contained

IN RECENT years the
“ parish of Purton has environmentalist
Purton-based
been under pressure
from developers. Some
Richard Pagett
larger proposals have been
explains why he
successful (Moredon Bridge,
Ridgeway Farm) and some hopes the Wiltshire
have not (Widham Farm).
In the case of the first two, Core Strategy will
this was never about whether constrain Swindon
or not Purton needed
the houses. It was more
about what developers felt they Wiltshire Core Strategy is that
PREMIER FLOORING could obtain approval for, within major housing will be centred on
the limits of existing plans and
the existing larger settlements,
CARPETS - VINYLS - LAMINATES government policies. those with plenty of facilities to
support a growing population.
Although the previous
government’s Regional Spatial Any remaining housing is then
THE PREMIER SERVICE Strategy was dispensed with in spread among the community areas
GUARANTEED TO SAVE 2010, in planning terms it left a according to laid down criteria.
YOU MONEY legacy of argument that helped The logic is that such housing
Moredon Bridge and Ridgeway Farm should be at locations capable
FREE fitting and accessories on become a reality. There was never of supporting that housing. For
all carpet and vinyl orders over any planning logic for either site. instance, the Strategy classifies
£200 Both Swindon Borough Council Cricklade as a Local Service Centre
FREE moving of furniture and and Wiltshire Council had clear which means it is capable of
uplifting and disposal of your growth plans, and they didn’t supporting some limited housing.
existing floor coverings include Moredon Bridge and Purton is considered a Large Village
NO Hall, stairs and landing Ridgeway Farm. Yet, developers and is protected from speculative
surcharges
were able to argue differently, development by a settlement
NO Delivery charges quite cynically, that Purton was boundary, outside of which general
HOME SELECTION SERVICE
NO Hidden Extras able to take more houses and had housing development is forbidden.
NO PRESSURE SALES a housing need, even though they The Strategy does not allow
All products guaranteed were right next to Swindon. development outside the settlement
FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION
Installation guaranteed CARRIED OUT IN THE COMFORT OF Following the cabinet’s boundary unless proposed in an
Public liability insurance YOUR OWN HOME acceptance, with minor conditions, approved neighbourhood plan
APPOINTMENTS TO SUIT YOU - the full Wiltshire Council met on or resulting from a settlement
“WHY PAY MORE DAY - EVENING - WEEKENDS 20 January to approve the Wiltshire boundary review by Wiltshire
FOR LESS” COLOUR MATCH SAMPLES TO Core Strategy. This set out the Council.
EXISTING DECOR AND FURNISHINGS framework for all future housing There will be such a review around
CALL STEVEN WALDRON 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN developments in the county, late Spring to mid-Summer.
TEL 01793 320974 INSTALLATION AND PRODUCT excluding Swindon which has its Until then, there is unlikely to be
MOB 07812 855250 SALES own Core Strategy in place. Any any large-scale housing applications
[email protected] “A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS THAT local (neighbourhood) plans will approved in Purton. Indeed, a
Unit 35 Pembroke Centre DELIVERS SERVICE, QUALITY AND need to align with the policies housing application for over
Cheney Manor Industrial Estate VALUE FOR MONEY” described in the strategy. 30 houses in Purton was
”
Swindon SN2 2PQ The general direction of the recently refused.
8 swindonlink.com n February 2015