Good news. At the recent Swindon Borough Council Planning Committee the application to build on land off Hook Street was rejected.
Lydiard and Freshbrook Labour Councillor Cindy Matthews argued "It is unfortunate that the Government’s new Planning Framework is making towns such as Swindon very vulnerable to this sort of speculative development, in areas where we wouldn’t choose to build. We are also not helped by the fact that our Local Plan is still not finalised."
Good news. At the recent Swindon Borough Council Planning Committee the application to build on land off Hook Street was rejected.
Lydiard and Freshbrook Labour Councillor Cindy Matthews argued "It is unfortunate that the Government’s new Planning Framework is making towns such as Swindon very vulnerable to this sort of speculative development, in areas where we wouldn’t choose to build. We are also not helped by the fact that our Local Plan is still not finalised."
She was supported by other councillors however her fellow ward Councillor, Conservative Michael Dickinson, did not attend.
The main reasons Cindy gave to reject the application were:
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The proposed development will encroach on Lydiard Park and its surroundings. It will be visible from the park and and will diminish the setting and approach to Lydiard.
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The development will increase the likelihood of flooding in certain roads in Grange Park. These roads have flooded previously with the fields absorbing much more moisture than will be possible when they are largely built upon.
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Hook Street is a narrow lane which gets very busy in the rush hours. Access is already difficult and the proposed development can only exacerbate congestion.
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The residents of this area have been given assurances that this land is not part of any plan for development. They are almost unanimously opposed to the development and will feel very let down. It is really not surprising that people become cynical about consultations and believe them to be a sham when their views appear to count for so little.
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Finally, there are many areas in Swindon already approved for development, not least Wichelstowe, which is costing the Council millions every year just to service the debt. Why should we lose our loved green spaces, near to one of Swindon's outstanding landmarks at Lydiard House, while at the same time wasting so much of our Council tax on debt repayments?
The imminent changes to national planning rules to introduce a presumption in favour of development, alongside the ongoing absence of an approved Local Plan, leave Swindon residents exposed to speculative development applications. If this application goes to appeal it will be for all elected representatives to demonstrate how their actions and past votes have helped or hindered creating an environment where development is both sustainable, in terms of infrastructure, and subject to meaningful local accountability.
