Battle goes on to build near Lydiard
12:10pm Wednesday 24th November 2010
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AN APPEAL has been submitted against Swindon Council’s decision to reject plans to build more than 150 new homes on Lydiard Park’s doorstep.
The proposals, by Primegate Properties (Hooknorth) Ltd, were unanimously refused by the authority’s planning committee last month after more than 200 residents wrote to object.
But the decision will now be reconsidered early next year by a Government-appointed planning inspector after the developer appealed.
Tory Wilson, a founding member of Grange Park Action Group, which was set up to fight the proposals, said: “The appeal isn’t surprising, we did expect it.
“Our main objection is basically around the impact on Lydiard Park.
“It is a really nice park and if the plans are approved what you will effectively do is surround it with a housing estate, which is absolutely awful.”
The proposal is for 175 houses including 52 affordable homes, on a site north of Hook Street and adjacent to Lydiard Country Park, as well as public open space and a children’s play area.
Swindon Council rejected the plans, claiming they would be harmful and detrimental to the council’s strategy for housing growth and would set a precedent for the release of further unallocated
greenfield sites.
The authority argued that that the proposal was contrary to planning policy because it would occupy a greenfield site within the countryside.
The council also claimed the scale, layout and density of the development failed to take account of its natural surroundings and topography and would be harmful to the rural approach and setting of
Lydiard Park.
Residents also raised other concerns, including fears that the infrastructure in the area would not cope with the extra traffic and people.
However, planning agent Alistair Macdonald, of DPDS Consulting Group, confirmed this week that the developer had submitted an appeal on November 15.
He said: “We don’t agree with the three reasons for refusal by Swindon Borough Council.
“We think the application is appropriate, we think that the site is appropriate, and we think it will bring much-needed housing, including affordable housing, to Swindon, along with contributions
for community facilities.
“We respect the points that the public have made, particularly in terms of highways and flooding, however the technological reports don’t back up that position and Swindon Borough Council haven’t
listed these as reasons for refusal.
“In terms of the impact on the park, we don’t think that a development of up to 175 dwellings, properly designed and planned, will have the alleged impact and we believe we have demonstrated that
in our development documents.”
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Your Say YourSwindon
<!–The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man, Wiltshire says… //–>
The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man, Wiltshire says…
1:27pm Wed 24 Nov 10
Yup, that’s the way the planning game is played…
I do find it strange though that the council turned this down on the grounds of it being 1) greenfield 2) in the countryside and 3) no infrastructure.
Yet over by Tadpole lane they are talking about building two THOUSAND more houses despite the site having all the same issues as the Lydiard site i.e it is a greenfield site in the countryside with no supporting infrastructure, that floods regularly.
I don’t understand!
Yup, that’s the way the planning game is played…
I do find it strange though that the council turned this down on the grounds of it being 1) greenfield 2) in the countryside and 3) no infrastructure.
Yet over by Tadpole lane they are talking about building two THOUSAND more houses despite the site having all the same issues as the Lydiard site i.e it is a greenfield site in the countryside with no supporting infrastructure, that floods regularly.
I don’t understand!
<!–mr_fix_it, swindon says… //–>
mr_fix_it, swindon says…
2:00pm Wed 24 Nov 10
So the government’s ideal of a ‘big society’ and devolving decision making to local councils didn’t last long did it?
If they are true to their word, the government appointed planner should say if that is what the local council has decided then it should stand.
<!–politicrat, swindon says… //–>
politicrat, swindon says…
2:47pm Wed 24 Nov 10
Lydiard Park doesn’t belong to the nearby residents…..if they so wish to keep the area pristine then maybe they ought to pay higher contributions towards the upkeep of Lydiard Park and House.
Your sayYour Swindon
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