Wanborough and Bishopstone residents set to fight plans for homes on farmland (From Swindon Advertiser)

Wanborough and Bishopstone residents set to fight plans for homes on farmland

7:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By David Wiles

HUNDREDS of residents are expected to attend a public meeting to discuss the impact on Wanborough and Bishopstone of building thousands of homes in the area.

Swindon Council’s final version of the Local Plan 2026, currently out to public consultation, is set to be the planning document for the borough’s future growth, and allocates nearly 10,000 new homes in East Swindon.

The Eastern Villages, on farmland to the east of the A419 and south of the A420, comprises 6,000 homes across a series of villages, plus a district centre, employment land and sports and leisure facilities.

However, residents have raised concerns that the development could increase the flood risk and cause traffic problems, calling on the council to ensure funding is secured, studies completed and infrastructure installed before construction starts.

On Monday at 7pm, Wanborough and Bishopstone parish councils are jointly hosting a meeting at Wanborough Village Hall, in the High Street, to give residents a chance to discuss the Local Plan and the Eastern Villages.

Planning officers and Coun Dale Heenan, the cabinet member for strategic planning and sustainability, will attend.

Coun Gary Sumner, the chairman of Wanborough Parish Council, said: “The last time we had this there was standing room only in the village hall.

“We expect Swindon Council to defend why they have developed this plan in the way they have and we would like our say against it.”

Coun Sumner said the parish council also wanted to show the level of public opinion against the proposal in the draft plan to move the settlement boundary to include Redlands Airfield, which would allow Redlands Farm owner Joe Smith to sell the land to build a small estate.

If approved, it would mean the airfield could be closed.

Speaking to the Adver in October, Coun Heenan said the council had written a joint policy for all possible developments in East Swindon, ensuring that developers must contribute upfront to the overall infrastructure in the sector to ensure it can start as soon as possible.