The Old Town Residents Association Column

By Claire Bouverie-Brine of Old Town Residents Association

We are pleased to report that following an appeal via social media, SBC have repaired the benches and made safe the wooden railings within Croft Woods (The Great Copse).  However, requests to address the muddy paths & routes and tree/plant debris will not be followed up as the area is classed as ancient woodland, and as such, should be left for nature to take its course.

Any dangerous trees can be reported to SBC, and a reminder to everyone to take their litter home with them so that everyone can enjoy this beautiful green space.

Upkeep and improvements continue for the OTRA flower beds, by our dedicated gardening team, and the beds are already showing signs that Spring is on its way! Please see the poster in Earle’s Newsagents for gardening dates and locations – everyone is welcome to come along!  This devoted group also spent a Sunday morning in January, spreading bark chippings along the treeline, which runs from the top of Evelyn Street bridge to the Marriott roundabout, improving the route for both walkers and cyclists.

The Parish are now looking after the flower beds in Swindon Road (off North Street) – if you would like to help with this project, please contact Linda Kasmaty on 07765 050470.

Comments were submitted to SBC on behalf of OTRA for the Local Plan.  In particular, concerns were raised about the 600 new homes planned for Wroughton, which will lead to an increase in traffic for Old Town, as well as a decline in air quality.  This is already an issue around Kingshill which has recently been classed as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), where one of the suggestions being considered is the introduction of a ‘growing wall’ to help absorb some of the emmissions. Concerns were also raised about the increase in HMOs (Houses of Mutiple Occupancy) within the Old Town area, which can lead to issues with parking, noise and anti social behaviour.  Questions were also raised about the apparent discouragement of approval for new applications for Old Town’s night time economy, in order to encourage businesses to the Regent Circus development.   

Plans have recently been submitted for housing on the corner of Kingshill Road and Clifton Street (where the advertising hoardings were).

They can be viewed under planning application S/20/0063/TB on SBCs website where comments can also be submitted. Concerns about access and parking have already been shared on social media.

The public consultation about potential TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders) for Marlborough Road, Marlborough Park, Broome Manor Lane, the Gates and Lakeside closed for comments in mid January.  An update is expected from SBC shortly.

An experimental TRO along Marlborough Lane has been drawn up and local stakeholders are being consulted about the introduction of the Parking Restrictions, which are likely to be introduced during early March. The experimental TRO will be in place for 18 months and will be monitored during that time. During the first 6 months interested parties will be able to submit comments to SBC, based upon their experience of how the restrictions are working.

We were delighted to receive confirmation that the Old Town Festival will be going ahead in June, after the plea for extra volunteers. It will run from 6 to 13 June.  For information [email protected].

Swindon’s Jazz and Soul Festival takes place at Christ Church on Saturday 4 April from 12 noon until 11pm.  Contact Chris Smith for more information on [email protected].

The Old Town Open Gardens date has been set for Sunday 28 June – more details to follow soon.

The future of the Corn Exchange/Locarno hangs in the balance once again, following the statement issued by SBC on 21 January saying it was revoking its agreement with the developer and the building’s owner, Gael Mackenzie. Although in private hands, the council owns land around the building needed for any conversion to succeed.

A council spokesman said: “A lack of progress on plans to rejuvenate Old Town’s Corn Exchange has forced Swindon Borough Council to initiate its internal authorisation process to seek to terminate a development agreement for the scheme." As a result, the public meeting planned for 7 February to discuss the buildings future was cancelled.

If you would like to come to our meetings, they are held on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the back bar of The Wheatsheaf in Newport Street.  The next one is 16th March – everyone is welcome! You can also keep up to date with our news by following us on Facebook  www.facebook.com/groups/oldtownresidents/