Post 2019 News Archive

Let’s talk Swindon

11 January 2024 – written by Councillor Jim Robbins (leader of Swindon Borough Council)

“There’s lots to celebrate and be proud of in Swindon, as well as things that we’d all like to see improve. We’ve developed some proposals for how Swindon Borough Council, working with partners and communities across Swindon, can make a positive difference to the lives of current and future Swindonians.

“Last year, 3,222 residents took part in our resident survey. One of the clear messages to come out of this was the Council needs to do much more to involve and engage local residents in our plans and thinking.

“That’s why across January, we’re running a community engagement exercise called ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ to get feedback from residents. We’d like to hear from as many residents as possible, so please do share on details of the events [from the link] below, taking place across January”.

https://www.swindon.gov.uk/letstalkswindon

Consultation on ward boundaries for Swindon has begun

11 January 2024

A 10-week public consultation inviting proposals for new council ward and ward boundaries for Swindon Borough Council has begun.

The consulation will close on 18 March 2024. Click here to have your say.

Recommendations made to Wiltshire and Swindon Councils to help prevent repeated flooding near Brookhouse Farm

28 November 2023

SRA members and local residents have offered proposals to the local authorities to help mitigate the flooding during extreme storms of the pedestrian underpass near Brookhouse Farm and the field, which Taylor Wimpey owns to the west of Watery Lane/Hay Lane.

The yellow arrows represent the flow of water from the bowl to the east of Lydiard Park and Lydiard Millicent, adding volume to the stream running through the park. Wiltshire needs to look at the drainage from Tewkesbury Way, which rises after the underpass close to the Middleleaze Drive roundabout. The water running off the road and from the woodland belt flows ‘backwards’ towards Lydiard Brook – blue arrow.

The volume of water in the brook running down the hill from the park prevents water from the road and the field from entering the brook. The result is it overtops the footpath from the roundabout, cascades down the adjacent slope, and adds to the flood water coming down Hay Lane into the underpass.

The stream running adjacent to Hay Lane is Taylor Wimpey’s responsibility to manage and falls within the Lydiard Tregoze parish council. A request has been made to instruct Taylor Wimpey to clear a multitude of debris, including a bathtub, freezer and fallen trees so that the stream no longer overflows into Hay Lane and through onto nearby residential areas.

Longer-term solutions are required

Because a stormwater retention pond was not built when the M4 was constructed, flood water from the motorway surges past Park Farm and into Lydiard Park Lake and then downstream regions and areas within Hook and Lydiard Millicent. Therefore, a holding area much further upstream is required to reduce the impact of these surges.

As a footnote to this article, the field owned by Taylor Wimpey was the subject of their planning application some years ago to build a housing estate in full view of the Grade II listed St Mary’s Church. They withdrew the application following local objections. This picture below shows their flooded field.

Cakes and Tales: a free Lydiard Tregoze family history event

To be held at Hook, Greatfield and Greenhill Village Hall SN4 8EA
2.30pm on Friday 17 November 2023

26 October 2023

Another chance to share your memories and explore The Lydiard Archives with Friends of Lydiard Park Chair Sarah Finch-Crisp and local historian and fellow trustee, Frances Bevan.  Donations on the day towards your home-made afternoon tea will be much appreciated.

For over fifty years The Friends of Lydiard Park have been gathering and compiling the memories and stories of people who grew up in and around Lydiard Park, creating a fascinating history of the life of the village.  Last year we filled every seat in the hall and we hope to again this year!  Since last year’s Cakes and Tales we have collected more historic photographs and stories including some wonderful images preserved by the Strange family of Hook and the Rummings family of Park Farm, Lydiard Tregoze.  Meanwhile Frances Bevan is continuing her transcriptions of the remarkable diaries of Elliot Woolford (d1940) of Hook Farm and discovering the Woolford’s close connections with the St.John family at the turn of the 20^th century.

The Lydiard Archives are continually expanding and provide a wonderful digital resource for anyone interested in their local history, including school pupils who will be able to discover more about what life was like for children in the past.  Please do bring along any photographs and historical material you would like to share and we will photograph them on the spot. For more information click here.

TO BOOK

Cakes and Tales is a FREE social event though we would be very grateful for your donations on the day.   The cakes are all home made by our lovely volunteers and to help with catering please book your place by emailing The Secretary, Julie Holland at secretary@friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk or write to her at 30 Croft Road, Swindon SN1 4DQ.

Wiltshire Local Plan published

4 October 2023

Wiltshire Council has published its Local Plan. Its purpose is to set out the vision and framework for housing, infrastructure and land for employment growth for the next 15 years (to 2038). Comments are invited until 5pm on Wednesday 22 November 2023

1. Click on this link to view the plan Wiltshire Local Plan Pre-Submission Draft 2020-2038 (Regulation 19)
2. Go to the online Consultation Porta here to make your comments.

Upcoming talk ‘Margaret Beauchamp, Baroness and 15th Century Matriarch’ to be held at Lydiard Park Hotel & Conference Centre at 2:30pm on Sunday 15th October 2023

7 September 2023

Margaret, Baroness Beauchamp (c1409–1482) gifted Lydiard to her second son Oliver St. John, and through her second marriage to John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset, provided the St. Johns with a blood link to the royal Tudor dynasty.

Margaret is celebrated in the extraordinary St. John family polyptych in St. Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze; her portrait is awarded pride of place, befitting the Grandmother of King Henry VII.

Historian Sonia St. John traces Margaret’s remarkable vocation and achievements, not least ensuring that all her children were well-placed to survive and prosper during the War of the Roses.

Sonia’s talk, which will include a surprise ‘unveiling’, will be followed by a delicious afternoon tea.

Click here to book tickets or visit the Friends of Lydiard Park website www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk

Rusty Garage Craft Brewery’s third birthday party

5 July 2023

Please save the date and join our local craft brewery in celebration of their third birthday – Saturday at 3 pm, 29th July. Live music by the amazing Sonic Alert and a burger van will also be available.

Proposed 20 mph limit for Old Shaw Lane (Shaw side)

12 June 2022

Old Shaw Lane has no pavements nor street lighting. It is also a ‘safe route’ to school; it is used by dog owners (some dogs off their lead) and has many driveways opening onto it. There are many reasons why driving faster than 20mph anywhere along the Lane can be inconsiderate to other users and potentially dangerous. Most drivers do, in fact, keep well below the current legal 30mph limit. Some do not.

The lane is precisely 0.4 miles long. If it were possible to drive the whole length of the lane at 30mph, which even for the most aggressive of drivers it is not, you could traverse the entire length just 25 seconds faster than if it were driven at 20mph. That said, the Lane is a cul-de-sac, so few need to go the whole distance. That means, on average, it would take only 12.5 seconds longer to drive at 20mph. Furthermore, given that it is impossible to keep to 30mph because of all the obstacles, the average speed is likely closer to about 25mph. That means an enforced 20mph limit would add about 5 seconds to an average journey along the lane.

Five seconds, versus the safety of a child……… If you have an opinion on this, please send us an email.

30 September 2022 update

An update letter was delivered to all residents at the beginning of September. The traffic survey equipment mentioned in the letter has now been installed.

2 February 2023 update

Another letter informing residents that the scheme has been approved to move to the next stage was delivered to residents at the end of January 2023. The letter, signage plans and an opportunity for residents to comment further can be found here.

19 May 2023 update

The consultation has now entered Stage 2 – click here for more information.

Music in the Mansion and exploring the archaeology of Lydiard Park

5 May 2023

The Friends of Lydiard Park have organised the following two events:

Sunday 4th June – Music in a Mansion
With music specially chosen from across the centuries to reflect Lydiard’s history, the acclaimed Dodecantus chamber choir will perform in the elegant surroundings of Lydiard House Main Hall.
https://www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk/events/music-in-a-mansion-a-celebratory-concert-with-the-dodecantus-choir/

Sunday 9th July – Exploring Archaeology at Lydiard Park – a walking tour with professional archaeologist Chris Ellis

Discover the fascinating archaeology unearthed by Chris and his team from Wessex Archaeology in 2004-5, from a boat house mystery to a Roman villa.https://www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk/events/exploring-archaeology-at-lydiard-park-a-walking-tour-with-professional-archaeologist-chris-ellis/

Progress made by the Parish in the grounds maintenance of Shaw Village Centre

4 April 2023 – updated 4 July 2023

Following our meeting with West Swindon Parish Council in October 2022, we are pleased to note that the following work, as detailed in the action plan we agreed with the Parish, has been completed:

• Raised beds brickwork and drainage – the brickwork has been repaired and drainage holes created
• General plant tidiness – shrubs and hedges have been pruned
• Concrete blocks in front of the Parish notice board – these have been removed, but shrubs now need to be planted
• Damaged fence between the Pub and the Church – this has been replaced
• Block paving has been levelled and tree guards removed

The following work items remain outstanding:

• Raised beds by the clock tower – it was agreed that the Parish would make one recommendation on planting based on them doing all the work and one requiring community support. The work will commence in the autumn
• Circular bench still to be replaced
• Plant bed by Richard James – the Parish agreed to plant this with some shrubs. Also, the bed in front of the Parish notice board requires planting

Extension of green partnership with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is approved by SBC

30 March 2023

A partnership has been extended, which has created forest meadows and wildlife corridors across Swindon.

The partnership, through the Swindon Forest Meadows project, has created new areas of woodland, scrub and grassland at Mouldon Hill, new woodland and river restoration at the Rivermead Flood Storage area, and support for community projects throughout Swindon, including, Shaftesbury Lake, Moredon Meadows Common Farm and Raybrook Meadow.

The Trust’s plans, events and opportunities can be found in this brochure.

Upcoming talk ‘How Genealogists Use DNA’

To be held at Lydiard House at 7pm on Wednesday 19th April 2023

6 March 2023

Have you ever thought about having your DNA tested?  What might you discover?  Sonia St. John whose research into the St. John family of Lydiard Tregoze has brought so many intriguing stories to light, provides a layman’s guide to DNA testing from a family historian’s perspective.

Using data from the St. John family in the early 17^th century and up to the present day, Sonia shows how family connections can be proven.  She also references the famous case of identifying the body of Richard III.

This will be the first of our 2023 talks and the ticket price includes a glass of wine or a soft drink if preferred.

Click on this link to book tickets.

Voter ID is coming

2 February 2023

Voters in Swindon will need to show an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station. The new requirement follows UK-wide legislation, the Elections Act 2022, introduced last year by the UK Government. These new requirements will apply to the 4 May 2023 Borough and Parish elections.

More information can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

Peatmoor lagoon tree planting

10 January 2023

Led by the Peatmoor Community Woodland group, there will be a tree planting event on 5 February 2023 between 10 am and 1 pm. To find out more, go to their Facebook page or website. Please get in touch with the organiser, Roger Ogle, if you wish to participate.

7 February 2023 update

A superbly organised event, with some 120 adults, children and woodland group volunteers planting about 330 trees in around 90 minutes. Well done to Roger and all involved!

Parish to hold drop in meeting for volunteers

26 November 2022

The message to the SRA from the West Swindon Parish Council reads:

We are holding an open drop in for volunteers on Monday 23 January from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm.  This will provide light refreshments, access to extra kit and the opportunity to speak to Councillors or Parish team members.  The meeting will be followed by the Full Council meeting at 6.00 pm and volunteers are very welcome to stay on for that. Depending on take up numbers, we will confirm the venue nearer the time.

Shortage of allotment plots in West Swindon raised with the Parish by SRA members

18 November 2022

Section 23 (2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 states that a Council has a statutory duty to provide allotment plots where more than six residents make written representation. West Swindon Parish Council currently has 54 people waiting for a plot. We are told that the Parish is actively looking at options to help people access an allotment.

If you wish to be put on the waiting list or have a general enquiry about allotment availability in West Swindon, please get in touch with your Parish Councillor – go to the West Swindon Parish Council website for contact details.

Experimental road closure at Hayes Knoll Road junction to be permanent

18 November 2022

The Wiltshire cabinet member for transport, waste, street scene and flooding has approved the following

• To make a permanent Traffic Order enabling the Experimental Prohibition of Driving Order to be continued in force indefinitely
• The objectors be advised accordingly.

The decision may be accessed here. The report reference is HTW – 24 – 2022.

Thames Water sewage pipe bursts for the third time in two years

11 November 2022

Yet again, Thames Water’s sewage pipe has burst, this time near the railway bridge over the River Ray Parkway. This has resulted in many vehicles, many of them huge tankers using the River Ray Parkway to help mitigate the damage the sewage is doing to the environment and repair the broken pipe.

Of course, these vehicles are inflicting more damage to the River Ray Parkway. The question is whether Thames Water’s social responsibility will convince them to repair their damage or the local Council Taxpayer will have to foot the bill. Based on previous experience, we do not expect such action from them.

Read the Swindon Advertiser story here.

SRA and Parish staff meet to discuss the grounds maintenance of Shaw Village Centre

26 October 2022

Following the transfer of grounds maintenance of the Shaw Village Centre from SBC to West Swindon Parish Council, we met with two Parish staff to discuss our views on how the Village Centre can be improved:

• Raised beds by the clock tower – it was agreed that the Parish would make one recommendation on planting based on them doing all the work and one requiring community support
• Raised beds brickwork – the Parish will highlight this to Swindon Borough Council to see if any SBC funds can be used to repair it
• General plant tidiness – the Parish will tidy the area and then review planting along the central corridor, for example, to see how it can be improved
• Circular bench – a new one is available to be installed. However, the block paving in that area is very poor due to tree root damage. The state of the paving has been highlighted to SBC
• Block paving – the Parish will need to understand SBCs plans for paving repair/replacement before installing the new bench
• Tree guards – these are unsightly, and the Parish will remove them once the position on the paving is confirmed
• Concrete blocks in front of the Parish notice board – the Parish agreed to remove these and plant some shrubs there
• Plant bed by Richard James – the Parish agreed to plant this with some shrubs
• Business support – we suggested writing a Parish letter to business owners in the area asking for their ideas and help in improving the Centre
• Damaged fence between pub and church – while this is an SBC responsibility, the Parish agreed to see if they could repair it. The fence must stay to ensure vehicles cannot get onto the grass

It was great to see some new planters installed by the Parish, by the clock tower, bringing some colour to the area!

West Swindon Parish Council to take on grounds maintenance of Shaw Village Centre

30 September 2022

From 1 October 2022, West Swindon Parish Council has a formal agreement with Swindon Borough Council’s Property Services to undertake general cleansing and grounds maintenance at Shaw Village Centre.

For 2022 to 2023 it is proposed to undertake the following:

• Continue with weekly bin emptying adding a weekend empty as and when a bank holiday is scheduled
• Locate and review the size and parts of the circular bench at the village centre (check with Property Services about repairs to the paving ahead of installation)
• Cut, weed and tidy all shrub beds (bamboo, coral berry)
• Liaise with the Shaw Residents’ Association about the brick planters to the front of the village centre
• Add two to three low level planters and add spring planting to the front

Broken safety barriers along River Ray Parkway reported to Parish and Borough Councils

6 September 2022

Some low-level wooden barriers are along the length of the River Ray Parkway (the track that runs along the back of Shaw Forest). These barriers act as a safety barrier to help prevent track users from falling into the ditch that runs parallel with the Parkway.

Said ditch contains runoff from the forest, which was once a landfill site. Therefore, it is likely that the water and sludge within the gutter have materials that would be best for anyone to avoid falling into.

We have requested for these barriers to be repaired.

October 30 update

The barriers have been repaired. Thank you, council!

There has been a Thames Water leak in Old Shaw Lane for at least three years – possibly decades

1 September 2022

There has been a Thames Water leak in Old Shaw Lane for at least three years and possibly for over a decade. Thames Water has been contacted on numerous occasions about the leak by several residents. Thames Water typically claims it to be rainwater run-off. Given the recent drought, this claim can be easily dismissed as wrong.

The pictures below were all taken on Thursday, 1 September 2022. They show surface water in front of Maryhaven, marshy grass in front of Ellondale, and several inches of standing water inside the cover of Castlereagh’s water meter.

The picture below depicts the dried-up stream that feeds the Peatmoor Lagoon, which proves the severity of the drought in the area. The owner of Castlereagh has lived there since 2006 and can vouch that the standing water was there when he bought the property and is always there when he checks his meter. Therefore, the Thames Water leak may have existed for over 16 years!

We have contacted Councillor Keith Williams, who has requested SBC highways take an urgent look at the problem to see if they can convince Thames Water to act. After all, in the words of Thames Water, apparently, ‘every drop counts!

September 8 update

SBC engineer visited, and we quote from his report, “[we] cleaned out our assets which were surcharging. Thames stopped the leak and our assets went back to normal”.

We have requested a translation of that quote as it is far from clear to the layman. Thames Water has visited numerous times over several years and has failed to find the source of the leak – so we are somewhat sceptical that it has been fixed this time. However, kudos to the SBC engineer who attended so quickly!

October 30 update

There has been no change to the flow of water – the leak continues unabated.

Application to build houses north of Purton Road – appeal dismissed by the Planning Inspector for the second time

15 July 2022

Following the second appeal by the Appellant in as many years, the planning Inspector has dismissed the application.

Click here to read the full story on this website.

West Swindon Parish Council is investigating taking over the maintenance of Shaw Village Centre from the Borough Council

10 July 2022

Minutes of the 8th June Finance and Staffing Committe of West Swindon Parish Council state: “the Parish Manager introduced a proposal, a summary of which had been agreed by the Planning, Leisure and Environment Committee. The purpose of the proposal is to seek a financial arrangement with Swindon Borough Council to service, maintain and improve Freshbrook, Toothill and Shaw village centres”.

The minutes then propose the following action: “that it was important to understand existing charges on tenants in order to create a reasonable and appropriate proposal. The Parish Manager to seek clarity from Swindon Borough Council Property Services”.

River Ray Parkway damage – update

8 June 2022

Following the damage to the Parkway, which is a national cycleway, by Thames Water’s 20+ ton tankers and other utility vehicles, we met with Thames Water and SBC representatives and agreed on an action plan. We are pleased to hear that SBC has decided to repair the Track during this financial year and replace the bridge over the river so that vehicles can use the Galton Way access. Click here to read more background to this story.

Defibrillator (AED) locations

7 June 2022

We recently discussed the need for a defibrillator in the Shaw area. Surprisingly only a couple of people in the meeting were aware that there was one located by the Post Office within Tesco Express in Ramleaze Village centre. Click here for a website that provided the map below.

Peatmoor lagoon tree planting

25 February 2022

This proposal has been discussed at several SRA meetings. SRA member, Roger Ogle, gave this update on Facebook:

A party political leaflet being distributed refers to tree planting close to Peatmoor Lagoon. This may be a surprise to many people and has preempted my post with information about the proposal.

I (as a non-party political resident) first put forward the idea of planting trees on the two fields to the northwest of the lagoon in December 2020. It seemed an ideal area to get residents, local families and schools involved in planting trees to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.

West Swindon Parish Council supported the idea and forwarded the site to the Great Western Forest team at Swindon Borough Council which was tasked with identifying land for tree planting across the borough. I was hoping an announcement could be made in the Autumn with some tree planting, coordinated by Peatmoor Community Woodland Group, taking place this Spring. However, the borough’s Property Department objected; I can only assume because they were working to their brief of ensuring land is reserved for housing at some point in the future.

Shaw councillor Keith Williams, who holds Swindon Council’s cabinet responsibility for both Property and the Great Western Community Forest, decided that planting trees was the best option for the site.

The planting season has almost passed so we’re looking at an event in late November or early December, and possibly a second in February 2023. Until then the parish council will continue to cut the grass every few weeks.

Please note the blocks of green in the photographs illustrate that native British trees will be planted in a number of blocks with pathways between them. The final shape is subject to change.

If you would like to participate in tree planting later in the year, please register your interest here.

Peatmoor community woodland group open morning

2 November 2021

To coincide with the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, and to highlight the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark her Platinum Jubilee next year, Peatmoor Community Woodland group volunteers are holding an open morning on 7th November, 10.30am to 1pm.

Visit thier Facebook page or website for more information.

Footpath from Angus Close to Pilgrim Close to rerouted

30 May 2020

Although the notice below was published in the Advertiser, this is only half the story. The intention is to reroute the path and not close it. Sadly, officers involved neglected to tell local councillors the full story:

SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 SECTION 116 APPLICATION
NOTICE Is given that application will be made to the Magistrates’ Court sitting at Princes Street, Swindon on Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 2pm for an order that part of the highway at off of Pilgrim Close in Swindon leading from Pilgrim Close to Angus Close as indicated on the plan which may be inspected at Wat Tyler House, One Stop Shop, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm represented by the part coloured hatched black shall be stopped up on the ground that it is unnecessary.
Dated: 2 March 2020
Lisa Hall
Chief Legal Officer Swindon Borough Council Civic Offices, Euclid Street Swindon, SN1 2JH

BT phone box consultation follow up

16 February 2020

SBC have objected to the removal of several boxes on the grounds of high call volume and locality to assisted living facilities. Unfortunately they have ignored our submission highlighting the fact that the consultation is deeply flawed because several units have been unserviceable for an unspecified amount of time. For example, the Shaw village Centre phone box shows zero calls, and yet, SBC are not objecting to its removal even though it is close to an assisted living facility.

• click here for the SBC response
• click here for our response to SBC

Pilgrim Close – the warts and all story

7 February 2020

As a money making exercise, SBC sold some of our public green space behind Shaw Village Centre for housing. Here is the story:

It was originally billed as ‘assisted living’ accommodation. We as a group (the SRA) did not like the idea of losing the green space, but could not argue against such a development in such an ideal place for it. However, it changed much later in the process to just ordinary bungalows.

Both the SRA and West Swindon Parish council objected to the application on the grounds of not enough parking bays and the need to protect the footpath from Old Shaw Lane and the path from George Tweed Gardens.

It became public knowledge that officers, with the approval (obviously) of Councillors had manipulated the size of the development area so that it was under the size after which a percentage of ‘affordable housing’ must be included. This is the problem when you have the poacher and gamekeeper wearing the same hat.

Due to the size constraints, more parking spaces could not be included in the original plans as they would have increased the size of the development area and SBC wanted to maximise their profits.

We had assurances from local councillors that a separate planning application would be put in for the additional parking bays. Eventually such an application was put in but it was for 3 more bays and not the seven required simply to put the area back to how it was before the additional houses (in other words, ZERO growth even though these additional homes will add to the problem).

We were told that officers could not approve more than 3 spaces because of a tree – that tree turned out to be non-existent.

We were then told that no more parking spaces could be included in the development because the only place they could be put was where the soak-away for the houses was being dug. We are not civil engineers, but we think most soak-aways are just a big hole filled with gravel – so parking a car on top would be perfectly possible.

Given that our foreheads were now bleeding from hitting it against a brick wall, we gave up on the car parking spaces and focussed on the protection of the paths, since they were now in greater jeopardy. Our proposal was for a simple small extension of the path into the road with a bollard either side. This has now also been rejected. So we suggested painting the road white or yellow from dropped curb on one side to the dropped curb on the other, just to make them clearer. It would seem more photo evidence (even though several pictures have already been provided) is required for that to happen.

Re-wilding of Hillmead site

3 December 2019

The site shown on the map to the right is currently designated for industrial development. A report, written by Roger Ogle and available by clicking here details the rationale for preserving it as green space for future generations.

Furthermore, given the amount of unoccupied office and warehouse space along the Mead Way corridor and within Cheney Manor Industrial estate, we endorse Roger’s report and believe that any greenfield (which site S0366 clearly is) development would be contrary to current environmental / climate change thinking. We are, therefore, supporting Roger and are urging SBC to change the designation of this site to public open space.

BT payphone removal consultation

1 December 2019

BT has instigated a public consultation on their proposals to remove 24 payphone callboxes within the Borough. Notices have been posted in each of the relevant phone boxes to inform users and passers-by of the proposals and the consultation process. As the local public organisation the Council is consulting with parish councils, residents associations and community groups giving 3 options:
1. to agree to the removal;
 2. to adopt the callbox for use by the local community; further information on this process can be found at: https://bt.com/adopt or
 3. to object to the removal.
Please click this attached list of the callboxes which BT are proposing to remove.
We will also be putting the details of this consultation on the SBC website as soon as possible.
Responses should be sent to either forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk or Forward Planning, Swindon Borough Council, Wat Tyler West House, 5th floor, Beckhampton Street, Swindon SN1 2JG.
All representations received should arrive no later than 5pm on Friday the 13th of December.

7 December 2019 – Click here for the SRA response

Swindon local plan consultation

18 December 2019

Local Plan Submission is available for you to view and comment between the following dates:

Start date: 17/12/19 15:31

End date: 31/01/20 17:00

Click here to view this event

Swindon local plan review consultation open

30 July 2019

Local Plan Review Emerging Strategies is available for you to view and comment between the following dates: 29/07/19 to 23/09/19. Click here to go to the SBC website where the consultation is hosted.

Application to build nine houses within the Essential Setting of Lydiard Park

Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council unanimously vote to object to the application

9 July 2019

In a highly professionally chaired meeting on the evening of 7th July, those Councillors with vested interests in the application both declared those conflicts and left the room when it was discussed. The objection from the SRA and Friends of Lydiard Park were both reviewed, along with mention of the CPRE and Wiltshire Spatial Officers objections. As a result, the Council voted to object to the application.

Furthermore, we have been informed that SBC and West Swindon Parish Councils have submitted objections. And, the Gardens Trust has written to object stating that they, along with Historic England and the Georgian Society, should have been consulted directly. They have, therefore, requested a 21-day extension to the consultation period.

29 August 2019 – Lydiard Millicent Parish Council objection

25 July 2019 – Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council objection

19 July 2019 – the Garden’s Trust objection

16 July 2019 – SBC objection, CPRE objection, West Swindon Parish objection

29 June 2019 – Friends of Lydiard Park Objection

25 June 2019 – SRA Objection submitted.

20 June 2019

An application to build nine houses off Hook Street and within the Essential Setting of Lydiard Park has been submitted.

The application can be viewed on the Wiltshire Council planning website by searching on application 19/04598. Deadline for comments is 2 July 2019.

Wiltshire’s own Spatial Planning officer is NOT supportive of the application, stating that the Lydiard Tregoze Neighbourhood Plan “carries negligible weight as it has not sufficiently progressed”. And concludes that “the proposal fails to accord with key policies in the adopted development plan”.

Many organisations including South Swindon MP, Robert Buckland, and North Wiltshire MP, James Gray, signed a Joint Statement on the protection of the Essential Setting in January 2018.

Pilgrim Close – Parish Council fail to meet assurances

9 July 2019

We have been informed by Councillors that officers cannot approve more than three spaces because of a ‘non-existent’ tree! We have written to David Renard, and he has told us that the issue will be discussed later this week with a substantive response to follow in due course.

4 June 2019

Dear Cllr Sydney-Smith

 Cc Parish Clerk, Shaw Borough Councillors, Shaw / Ramleaze Parish Councillors

 I write to you in your capacity as chair of the Parish planning and Environment committee.

 Ref: application S/19/0728 – the creation of 3no. Additional parking spaces at Pilgrim Close

 I refer you to the attached documents concerning the planning application to build the 14 houses on the former Pilgrim Close play area, two of which are objection letters from the SRA, and the other two from your own Parish.

 You will note our objection focused on the fact that the existing 16 parking bays would be reduced to 9 even though the parking surveys indicated the need to keep all 16, and the fact that the new houses would bring yet more cars. Furthermore, we requested the paths from Old Shaw Lane and the retirement homes be protected – both of these requests were supported through your attached objections.

 Parish Councillors assured us that a follow-up application would be presented by the Parish to remedy the above concerns. Sadly, planning application S/19/0728 falls woefully short of meeting those assurances. It contains just three bays, which means a net loss of three bays (when there is a need for an increase), and contains no mention at all of protecting the footpaths.

 Moreover, it would also seem that the application made by the Parish did not contain enough documented support since our own highways officer appears to be objecting to the three-bay application on the grounds of ‘no justification appears to have been submitted’ and it ‘is contrary to Local Plan Policy TR1’.

 There is ample space for more than three bays. Certainly, your application could easily have recommended six, which would mean the current inadequate number of bays within that area of the Village Centre is maintained.

 We ask that you withdraw your application and replace it with one that includes at least six bays together with the protection of the footpaths mentioned above.

 Best Regards
Kevin Fisher

Chair Shaw Residents’ Association

• SRA objection
• SRA Follow up objection
• Parish objection
• Parish follow up objection