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Community News

Plans submitted by developer Taylor Wimpey for 2,380 new homes in Swin-

don as part of Eastern Villages expansion

An outline planning application takeaways and other businesses
has been submitted to Swindon as well as community uses and
Borough Council for up to 2,380 sheltered/care accommodation.
homes as part of the Eastern It also includes plans for two
Villages expansion of the town. primary schools, open space and
The urban extension to the east of play and sports facilities.
Swindon and north of the A420 in The application also proposes
the St Margaret and South Marston sustainable drainage systems,
area for the dwellings has been highway, cycle and pedestrian
submitted by Taylor Wimpey UK, routes and engineering works
Hallam and Hannick through David including ground remodelling,
Lock Associates. demolition and site reclamation and
The plan is for 2,380 homes removal of structures.
together with a mixed use of local The formation of new accesses
centre/areas including 1,500sq from the A420, Old Vicarage Lane
metres of retail development to and Thornhill Road also form part of
include restaurants, pubs and the proposal.

Ambrose Field planning application submitted Recycling Centre hours change sparking
by developer despite residents opposition concern over fly-tipping and waiting times

L-R: Old Town Councillors Jane
Milner-Barry and Nadine Watts Opening hours for the Household with the site being open to the
Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) public between 8am and 4pm,
Old Town councillors Nadine Milner-Barry are also concerned have been changed since 8 May. instead of 8am and 4.30pm. The
Watts and Jane Milner-Barry have about the safety of the access to Swindon Borough Council’s site in Cheney Manor industrial
reiterated their concern over plans the development from Croft Road, Cabinet agreed to change the estate is now also closed all day
for land between their ward and and the impact of up to 120 more opening times at its meeting in on Wednesdays throughout the
Wichelstowe after developer Taylor vehicles a day entering and leaving April in order to save £96,000 a year.
Wimpey submitted an outline the site. This is likely to cause traffic year in operational costs. The decision to reduce the hours
planning application on 10 May. jams on Croft Road which is already As part of the new arrangements was taken after analysing the
The application to Swindon very busy. those using the recycling centre usage patterns of those who visit
Council involves building up to 62 Councillor Nadine Watts said: “It have been asked to show they are the site. The number of people
homes on Ambrose Field, adjacent is disappointing that Taylor Wimpey a resident of the borough before accessing the centre first thing in
to Croft Field. Earlier this year have submitted an application to dropping off their waste. This the morning and in the evening
Taylor Wimpey began consulting build on the land off Croft/Ambrose has meant producing a form of is less than during the day, while
on developing the fields which Road. We have many concerns identification such as a council Wednesday is traditionally the
triggered significant opposition including the increase in traffic, the tax or utility bill to prove your quietest day for people visiting the
from local residents and local access to the development from residency in the Swindon area. HWRC.
councillors. Croft Road, negative impact on The recycling centre is now Local residents took to the
Residents and local councillors wildlife, increased risk of flooding open Monday to Sunday in the Swindon Link facebook page to
believe there is a strong case for and drainage issues. We would summer months (1 April to 31 voice their thoughts, including
this application to be rejected encourage local residents to contact Oct) from 8am to 5pm, instead of comments expecting longer
as the site is not allocated for us with their concerns. Once the the previous hours of 6am to 8pm queues and waiting times caused
housing in the Swindon Borough application has been validated, we There are now extended hours by the new hours. Elsewhere on
Local Plan. The site also forms would urge local residents to write during the summer on Thursdays social media there were concerns
part of a rural buffer designed to in with their objections. There will with the site open between 8am voiced regarding how this new
help maintain Wichelstowe as a be consultation with neighbours, and 8pm. policy would affect fly-tipping
separate, coherent community with site notices will be put up and it The winter opening hours (1 Nov across the borough.
a sense of identity. Both Old Town will be advertised in the paper as to 31 Mar) will change slightly www.swindon.gov.uk/hwrc
Councillors, Nadine Watts and Jane usual."
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