Page 9 - link magazine

Community News

West Swindon, the start of a new city that has yet to emerge

In the April Link we met up again 220,000 living within the Swindon
with Terry and Theresa Davies, the Borough boundaries with several
first couple to move, on 14 March thousands more to arrive as Tadpole
1976, to Toothill - the initial phase Farm, the Eastern Villages and infill
of what was known 40 years ago as developments take place.
the ‘western expansion.’ Once Swindon had been identified
Their arrival, and the building for major expansion, planners from
of some 11,500 homes in West Swindon, Wiltshire County and
Swindon over the next 20 years, Greater London Council produced a
was the outcome of a long planning report published in 1968 setting out
process that had started in the early how and where such growth might
1960s and is still impacting today. be achieved. Known as the Silver
Then, as now, central government Book, because of its shiny cover, the
was looking at population growth report outlined a vast urban area for
and the need for housing and Swindon City - shown right.
had commissioned a consultant’s But the ambitions of the planners
study to look at a new city in West were not to be achieved in the
Berkshire/North Wiltshire. short term. The current boundary of
Swindon rather than Newbury West Swindon, much of which was
was preferred as the most suitable built in Wiltshire and transferred to
for expansion, continuing growth Swindon, is now regarded the limit
which started when the Great of urban expansion. The Silver Book proposed the town’s boundaries expanding outwards to the
Western Railway Company agreed Growth since has taken place dashed red line. It takes in what we know as West Swindon, what was to
to build a engine maintenance shed within the borough boundaries, with become Liden and Eldene in the east, and also North Swindon.
in the town 175 years ago. the exception of Ridgeway Farm It also identifies areas which have been fought over at planning enquiries
The consultantcy firm envisaged and Mouldon View, but in the next more recently - Tadpole Farm, Ridgeway Farm, Mouldon View and land
Swindon’s population growing from phase of strategic land planning between Blunsdon and South Marston - all of which are now in the
100,000 in 1961 to become a city from 2026, it is questionable process of being built upon.
of 400,000 by the year 2000. whether Swindon can continue to Also within the red line boundary is Pry Farm, between North Swindon
The 400,000 target was scaled be contained. and Purton, which was considered for development about ten years ago
back by central government to Indeed, with the huge changes and will probably feature in the next Wiltshire Council Core Strategy
around 250,000 people by year in local government currently proposals due in 2026.
2000, but we’re still well short of underway, is Swindon now too Interestingly, the development of 4,000 homes at Wichelstowe, the 8,000
that number. small, and will it exist as a local proposed for the Eastern Villages, and the Badbury Park development close
Currently there are around authority for much longer? to Coate Water, did not feature in the Silver Book plan.

6 Star Service from
Trevor Salter
✰ View and select in your own
home - day or evening
From 1968, The Silver Book suggested a district centre could be developed
close to the River Ray, in the shadow of Mouldon Hill ✰ Free no obligation
measuring and quoting
Viewpoints on building new east of ✰ Luxury underlay, all
Swindon villages required by 4 May accessories and installation
included in the price!
Swindon Borough Council has necessary to produce the draft ✰ Competitive prices:
published the New Eastern Villages supplementary planning document Our customers tell us so See the carpet or floor covering of
(NEV) planning obligations draft to provide more detailed advice and ✰ Old carpets lifted and your choice, where it will be enjoyed,
supplementary planning document. guidance on the relevant policies removed next to your other furnishings,
The development east of the A419, with regard to infrastructure and receive the benefit of 35 years
and on both sides of the A420, is provision, management of the ✰ Furniture moved of experience in Swindon
the largest strategic allocation of development, and details of the as required
land within the adopted Swindon New Eastern Villages and the No hidden extras; no obligation - just great service
Borough Local Plan to 2026. It development at South Marston. Challenge me to beat your existing quotes.
will comprise 8,000 new homes, The documents can be read in You will be pleasantly surprised
40 hectares of employment land, Swindon libraries, or Wat Tyler
transport improvements, secondary House at the Civic Offices and Call Trevor:
and primary schools, retail, health, online at: www.swindon.gov.uk/ 01793 812995 or 07860 882588
community and leisure facilities. easternvillagesconsultation
After the Local Plan was adopted The closing date for comments is or email: [email protected]
in March 2015, it was deemed Wednesday 4 May, 5pm. www.carpetsswindon.co.uk
swindonlink.com n May 2016 9