Page 9 - link magazine

Housing next to Lydiard Park would open floodgates

There was united opposition to ensure Wiltshire Council officers
housing on the edge of Lydiard know the strength of feeling against
Park at a public meeting attended this application.
by residents of Swindon and North "This is a pivotal application. We
Wiltshire, with MPs Robert Buckland know there are many local land-
for South Swindon and James Gray owners who have options to develop
for North Wiltshire on 2 September. sites from Woodshaw to Pry Farm. If
A planning application by Taylor this one gets through it will be very
Wimpey for 50 houses off Tewkes- difficult to construct coherent argu-
bury Way close to the park is ex- ments against future applications."
pected shortly, following two public Following the meeting Andrew
consultation presentations. A united front to protect the park, front left, Linford Madley, Andrew Harris, Harries, chair of Lydiard Millicent
But the MPs, Swindon and chair Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council, James Gray MP, Cllr Tim Swinyard, Parish Council said: “We are totally
Wiltshire councillors and repre- Cllr Mollie Harris, Sarah Finch-Crisp and Mike Bowden of Friends of Lydiard against this project and refused to
sentatives from Lydiard Millicent Park, Kevin Fisher, Shaw Residents’ Association, Andrew Pagett from Purton meet Taylor Wimpey to discuss their
Parish Council, Shaw Residents’ arguments.”
Association and Friends of Lydiard jected. Both Wiltshire and Swindon deception. “The land they are saying Robert Buckland, South Swindon
Park are unanimous that such now have Core Strategies for future they will gift away is either within MP, also said: "It is really impor-
development would break through development in place and residents the boundaries of the listed park tant the principles underlying the
Swindon’s urban envelope onto land need to exert pressure that these as defined by English Heritage, or Local Plan are supported. There are
that has never been considered for need to be respected. it would coalesce Swindon with a number of applications facing
development, intrude upon the park, “If it goes to appeal, the planning Lydiard Millicent, or it's an area that us in Swindon which represent a
and could lead to multiple planning inspector will ignore heritage issues, floods. They could only ever build concerted attempt by developers to
applications to the west and north but will consider whether the plan- 50 houses on that land. The idea of test and undermine those plans.
west of the town. ning authority has acted lawfully. a gift is a ploy to get the public on "Opposition to this application
James Gray MP said government “With the Core Strategy in place side." must be for both emotional and
policy created since 2010 is based as the planning bible it will be far Mike Bowden, chair of the Friends strategic reasons.”
on giving communities responsibility more likely the inspector will uphold of Lydiard Park, appealed to elected Coun Tim Swinyard has started a
for how their areas are planned. “We Wiltshire Council’s decision. I feel representatives in Swindon and petition against housing at Lydiard:
are facing unreasonable develop- confident we are on the right side Wiltshire to be united in their www.bit.ly/lydiardpetition
ment which will ruin a piece of of the law. Both I and Robert Buck- opposition. He said: “We recognise Taylor Wimpey did not attend
countryside which is a heritage as- land will be supporting residents’ houses need to be built, but there the meeting. Their proposals are
set. The purpose of having the Core objections.” are now strategies showing where outlined at: www.taylorwimpey.
Strategy is to hand down to local Taylor Wimpey has made great we want to build and we need to co.uk/lydiard-tregoze
authorities the ability to decide how play of the fact that building only
many houses and schools they need, 50 houses will use only 11 per cent
and where they should be built. of their land holding and they will
“The point of this meeting is to gift the remaining 89 per cent to Autumn
show there is a united voice to a responsible body. However Kevin @
Wiltshire Council that an application Fisher of Shaw Residents’ Associa- Savings
to build on this land should be re- tion told the meeting that this is a
Council makes Thamesdown Drive 30% off Daval Kitchen,
extension a priority Bedroom and Bathroom

Swindon Borough Council has put furniture
the extension of Thamesdown Drive • Standard & made to measure kitchens
to Great Western Way at the centre
of its plans for the town’s future. • Wiltshire’s largest range of made to
The council which revealed the measure replacement cabinet doors
vision for the town up to 2030 • Extensive bathroom range - from
in early September has made the
extension one of its priorities. cloakrooms to walk in showers and
This comes after a campaign wet rooms
organised by TDeX, the Thamesdown • Bedrooms by Daval & Bella,
Drive Extension Campaign group, to with a range of sliders
see the link road built.
Independent assessors have been • Fully project managed installation
appointed by the council to look service takes all the hassle away
into the plans over the next few • Free computerised design &
weeks before a discussion by the A daily scene on Mead Way quotations without obligation
scrutiny panel in October.
The council will then seek the councillors, residents’ associations Visit us at Manor Furniture,
backing of the Swindon & Wiltshire and the people. Call 01793 644600 now 109 Cheney Manor Ind Est,
Local Enterprise Partnership in “There’s still a long way to go Swindon SN2 2QE
November before the proposal is before the road becomes a reality for a free consultation
SHOWROOM OPEN:
submitted to central government but this is definitely an important www.nuimagekbb.co.uk Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 10am-4pm
for major financial investment. milestone.”
Bill King of TDeX said: “This has Follow the campaign on REPLACEMENT DOORS KITCHENS BATHROOMS BEDROOMS
been a real team effort between Facebook: TDEX
swindonlink.com n October 2015 9

Nuimage Oct 15.indd 1 18/09/2015 16:36