The Old Golf Course in Highworth could soon be at the centre of a planning row after Conservative councillors from Highworth Town Council have demanded that it gets turned into a country park.
From left - Highworth town councillors Steve Weisinger, Steve Gardiner and Vijay Manro
The future of the golf course is due to be discussed by the Labour-run Swindon Borough Council at a cabinet meeting next week.
But three Conservative Highworth Town counillors, Nick Gardiner, Steve Weisinger and Vijay Manro have hit out at the borough council for their lack of communication as regards the site.
Cllr Gardiner said: "More than 260 days have passed since the Conservatives called on the Labour run Swindon Council to provide Highworth Town Council with a long lease and protect the open space from future development by designating it as a Swindon's sixth Country Park.
"Despite repeated efforts by the Conservatives to work with Swindon Labour to find a cross party solution, there has no willingness to work together for the benefit of local residents.
"In the last eight months there has been no contact. This is a disgraceful way to run a council. At cabinet next week, Labour Councillors will be discussing the future of the site and have excluded the Highworth elected representatives. Our door remains open."
Cllr Manro said: "Labour have had eight months to look at this important local issue, and to discuss our proposal to ensure that the golf course site is designated as a park in order to preserve it as undeveloped, open and accessible green space for the future generations of Highworth and the wider borough.
"A number of species of conservation importance have been noted including water voles, hares, badgers, bats, frogs and an abundance of different species of birds, butterflies and insects. This land needs our protection. If any discussions are taking place then they are happening in secret behind closed doors. This is not how anyone should be running a town.”
Cllr Weisinger said: “The Labour cabinet have pledged to build 20,000 more homes across the Borough, and a council director has already confirmed in a public meeting that Highworth, and Wroughton, will be the areas of expansion.
"The new Labour Government is reimposing national targets so the 20,000 is likely to increase to move than 30,000.
"We have made it clear right from the start of this long-standing campaign for the future of the former Highworth Golf Course that we want to see it designated as a Country Park. A long term lease on the land with the Town Council is the only way forward. If Labour agree fantastic, but why the secrecy?
"In light of the Labour Governments new designation, will the Labour Group now class this site as ‘Grey Land’ or ‘the ugly green belt’ as it certainly isn’t that to anyone who lives here”."
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