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Community News

62 houses proposed for Ambrose Fields site - News in brief

residents and political groups question viability

62 houses have been proposed WH Smith’s moving
by developer Taylor Wimpey for a WH Smith’s headquarters are set
site close to Croft Road in South for demolition – but the future
Swindon that would connect South of the company in the town is
Leaze with East Wichel, which secure.
has raised concerns from local Planners have given the
residents. go-ahead to build 134 homes, a
Taylor Wimpey are currently nursery and a care home.
consulting with residents who are The company, which employs
concerned that the proposal does 450 senior managers and
not take into account significant consultants at its Greenbridge
flooding risks associated with the office, has pledged that it will
Ambrose Fields site. remain in the town and is
One such resident, Anthea currently working with Swindon
Hilson, has been gathering the Borough Council and Forward
support of her neighbours and feels Swindon to look for a suitable
Taylor Wimpey have not properly took to the group’s Old Town directly to Taylor Wimpey, as part alternative headquarters
consulted with people in the local Facebook page to inform residents of the consultation, discussed building in the borough.
area. Anthea said: “I believe there of her standpoint, saying: “I am our concerns with a number WH Smith, which has been
are very real concerns regarding keen to work with residents to of residents and contacted based in the 6,500 sq m office
the increase in water/flooding oppose building on Ambrose the Council Cabinet Member since the 1980s, have been
possibilities and the already Fields. I think we need to look responsible for planning. forced to consider the move
overloaded sewerage system plus at the Berkeley Farm decision “The development not only falls because of the changing nature
the problems with traffic in and in Wroughton. We need to outside of the current Local Plan, of their business and the fact
around Old Town. distinguish from this case, look for but it would put further pressure that their current offices are
“This is a huge number of evidence and reasons why Ambrose on local transport links and also needing repair work.
houses in addition to those in is not suitable for development.” impact on the separation of the Employment is up
Wichelstowe. If these 62 houses This was echoed online by established residential areas
are crammed in on a very boggy the Conservatives in Old Town, and the newer community in New unemployment figures have
field which is a major sponge for who have started an online Wichelstowe. revealed that 1.3 percent of
Old Town run-off, the problems petition to halt the proposal “We feel a more appropriate people are out work in Swindon,
that could be caused not only in before it even reaches planning. use of the land should be found, compared with a national figure
the local area but further afield are The petition states: “We do in partnership with the current of 4.8 per cent.
concerns for us.” not support this development owners and local residents so it is Since 2010, unemployment
Labour councillor Nadine Watts and have passed our objections secured for the whole community.” across the town has fallen
Looking back at a year of celebrating Swindon by more than 60% and over
8,400 more people are in work.
Data also shows that annual
wage growth is at 2.6%,
outstripping inflation; while
youth unemployment is down
significantly, the number of
disabled people finding work has
increased and the percentage
of women in employment has
reached a record high.
Employment across the UK has
reached its highest rate since
records began and unemployment
remains at its lowest level for 11
years.
Hate crime increase

Record levels of hate crime were
reported in Wiltshire in the three
A vintage car cavalcade at the iconic Magic Roundabout to celebrate Swindon 175 months following last June’s
historic EU referendum, new
Swindon 175 is marking a year of the creation of a wooden bust of at the Great Western Hall at the figures have shown.
celebration with an event on March Sir Daniel Gooch by a New College Steam Museum in Fire Fly Avenue The data, released this week,
1 looking back at all that has been student. from 6.30pm to 9pm
achieved over the year. The event, which will be raising A cash bar is available and there show a total of 134 incidents
The group organised a host of funds for the Brighter Futures will be a complimentary buffet being reported to Wiltshire Police
between July and September – a
events to showcase the town, charity, is an opportunity to also available. 38 per cent increase on the
celebrating the past, present look to the future and consider Entry is free but places are previous three month period from
and future, from a children’s how Swindon can continue to limited. For your complimentary
photo competition and classic be celebrated as an industrious, ticket please email: Caroline@ April to June. The figure was the
car cavalcade to the naming of innovative and community focused Swindon175.com highest recorded number since
comparable records began in April
Sir Daniel Gooch Place by HRH town. Tickets will be issued on a first 2012.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and The event, on March 1, takes place come, first served basis.
swindonlink.com n March 2017 7

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