Green spaces will be protected, says Swindon planning chief

8:40pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By David Wiles

Dale Heenan, the councillor in charge of planning affairs at Swindon borough Dale Heenan, the councillor in charge of planning affairs at Swindon borough

SWINDON Council’s planning chief, Coun Dale Heenan, is seeking to offer extra assurances to residents and community groups who fear the possibility of future development on green space in their area.

The council’s final version of the Local Plan sets out a specific planning policy on open space, including that any designated open space is protected from development, except in certain circumstances, such as where the development provides community benefit which outweighs the loss.

However, Coun Heenan, cabinet member for strategic planning and sustainability, wants to hear from anyone concerned about green space in their area to see whether there are extra ways of safeguarding cherished land for the future – even if it would not be already protected by this policy.

After being approached by ward councillors, Coun Heenan recently agreed to designate Pickards Field, in Gorse Hill, Moredon Rec and nearby Martins Farm as part of the green strategic corridor in the Local Plan, providing an extra level of protection.

He has launched the initiative now as the Local Plan is out to public consultation so there is still a window to change it if needed, and because the Government has introduced its National Planning Policy Framework, whose central theme is the presumption in favour of “sustainable development”.

“If any residents are concerned about open space in their area, then please contact me we; will see what can be done,” said Coun Heenan.

“Sometimes it might be myth- busting rumours and concerns, or it might be possible to give additional protection over and above what is in the Local Plan.

“Every response on this issue will be considered. I can’t make any specific promises but the Local Plan is for 15 years and I see absolutely no reason why Swindon Borough Council can’t consider whether it can go further in reassuring local residents.”

Swindon Council recently rejected a bid by the Swindon Walcot and Parks community group to designate Buckhurst Field, in Walcot, as a village green.

Coun Heenan said this was because it did not meet the legal criteria, but offered to discuss other ways to protect the land, like the council voluntarily giving it the status.

John Brownlee, SWAP’s chairman and secretary, said: “Anything to guarantee that no one can ever go up there with a bricklayer’s trowel and start laying bricks. That’s what it’s about – to keep open space as open space for public use.”

Comments must be emailed to forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk by 6pm on February 21, and should include as much information as possible about the open space.

Full details about the 2026 Local Plan, maps and the consultation can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/localplan

Comments(19)

salt and vinegar says...
8:48pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Like that old saying aint it, never say never?

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peatmoor pirate says...
9:29pm Thu 10 Jan 13

How about Ridgeway Farm? If Developers want to build on it, Local Govt Minister and "Man of the People" Eric Pickles will allow them despite what our locally elected politicians say.

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LordAshOfTheBrake says...
10:57pm Thu 10 Jan 13

What a load of tosh. Swindon has time and time again approved unsuitable, poorly laid out developments on green spaces.

To make such a ludicrous comment that cannot possibly guaranteed should be considered misconduct in public office.

As stated above, developers only have to go running to Eric Pickles for approval.

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Dale Heenan says...
11:30pm Thu 10 Jan 13

peatmoor pirate. Ridgeway farm was submitted to Wiltshire Council in 2010, and 2006 rules applied in that case. We are talking about Swindon and our new Local Plan in 2013

LordAshOfTheBrake, actually there are several options. Using Buckhurst Field as an example, there is no reason why the Swindon Walcot and Parks community group couldn't investigating having a lease on the land - same arrangement has occurred with Parish Councils, or perhaps consider the legality of voluntarily turning it into a village/town green. Buckhurst Field was originally held by the Borough for housing purposes. This field, under the Public Health Act 1825, has been designated as open space for 50 years, but can the Council do more it should definitely be considered.

If residents want to come forward with concerns about a site, then please do and we'll see what can more can be done to reassure

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peatmoor pirate says...
6:48am Fri 11 Jan 13

Dale
sorry, I appreciate that Swindon were not the planning authority for Ridgeway Farm but Swindon and Wilts oppsed it as did our local MPs and your colleague Eric Pickle overrode all these considerations and any suggestion of local say over such decisions and approved the developers demands regardless. I don't know what special powers you have subsequently received but I'm afraid it seems locval people have no say in whatd does or doesn't get built near them. I wish you luck but have no faith in the system any longer.

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salt and vinegar says...
7:37am Fri 11 Jan 13

With the population in this country set to reach the best part of 70 million in the next few years, do people think it will stop then,no of course not, there will always be pressure to use up more and more green belt land, like I said never say never?

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Felix A says...
7:39am Fri 11 Jan 13

Does anyone have any faith in the planning system and Swindon planners other than the developers? Green spaces protected - phooey! All we have seen is broken promises about protecting treasured areas. None more so than at Coate and Badbury Wick.

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Al Smith says...
8:24am Fri 11 Jan 13

What good are these promises when the Conservative party in Westminster seems to have been handed a brown envelope full of used £20s by property developers?

We were promised localism, where locals would have a say in development. 50,000+ people signed a petition opposing development at Coate yet the government ignored this. So what happened to that promise of localism? Oh yes, it was ditched by in favour of planning permission being the default for any "sustainable development".

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LordAshOfTheBrake says...
8:30am Fri 11 Jan 13

@Dale,

The planning system is a failure and I don't know of anyone who thinks otherwise except for yourself and a few planners.

Residents concerns mean nothing as has been shown in recent years. Coate Water, Tadpole Farm, Ridgeway Farm, Lydiard Park area and so on.

Politicians locally and nationally show nothing but contempt for the plebs they represent.

Lets remember that many councillors for the west and North of Swindon campaigned with one of their pledges being to oppose the developments of tadpole farms. Most of them should have resigned given they didn't vote against it, or have been forced out in votes of no confidence.

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Tim Newroman says...
8:37am Fri 11 Jan 13

salt and vinegar wrote:
With the population in this country set to reach the best part of 70 million in the next few years, do people think it will stop then,no of course not, there will always be pressure to use up more and more green belt land, like I said never say never?
Absolutely correct.

Between 1 and 2 Million new arrivals are due in the UK - which we know really means England in this context - at the end of this year when Romania and Bulgaria gain the unrestricted right to live and claim benefits here.

That's the equivalent of 10 entirely new towns the same size as Swindon.

House prices and rents will, again, go through the roof as properties become even more scarce.

Many towns and cities will be left with no choice but to build on green field areas in an effort to cope with demand.

As we have experienced over the last 10 years, new arrivals also tend to rapidly create large families as they cannot believe their luck at receiving free medical care for the pregnancies (and thereafter), free housing and free money to live on plus child benefit, free food vouchers et al.

If you're a keen environmentalist or fan of green spaces, things are about to get much, much worse for you.

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A.Baron-Cohen says...
9:39am Fri 11 Jan 13

Of course we need to protect green spaces for the future (generations) but we also need to invest and build so that our children and grandchildren have the houses and roads, schools, plants they need to prosper.
This is a balancing act, protecting green spaces yes, but not at the detriment of the next generations.

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Davey Gravey says...
9:52am Fri 11 Jan 13

Swindon is too big already. Send the developers elsewhere. Sort out the mess the town is in with the awful town centre and poor facilities.

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The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man says...
10:09am Fri 11 Jan 13

A.Baron-Cohen wrote:
Of course we need to protect green spaces for the future (generations) but we also need to invest and build so that our children and grandchildren have the houses and roads, schools, plants they need to prosper.
This is a balancing act, protecting green spaces yes, but not at the detriment of the next generations.
Some would argue that not protecting our green spaces is to the detriment of the next generations...

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The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man says...
10:18am Fri 11 Jan 13

Anyway, like others have said. Baloney.

Planning permission has already been granted for 2500+ houses in North & West Swindon in the last year, on green fields and open spaces, to the detriment of existing local residents. In the next few years we'll be expecting another 10,000+ to be approved in East Swindon There has been absolutely no improvement in infrastructure to counter these developments though - that would cost money.

Housing is apparently needed (which it wouldn't be if we had any control over immigration), so I don't think any sensible person would complain about these developments if the developers were forced to pay for genuine and meaningful measures to mitigate against the impact of said developments on existing residents out of their profits...

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RichardR1 says...
10:34am Fri 11 Jan 13

As the 5th most densely populated mainland in the world it is simply insane to keep building more and more houses to satisfy not just a domestic need but an open door policy to whoever it seems want's to settle here.

With an estimated million properties currently empty and no pressure being brought to bear on owners it seems ludicrous to carry on building.

If a news report I saw is correct, new houses will be bought to let, and that market is accelerating as people can't find the 25/30% deposit's.

Builders on Government New Buy schemes are conning both the Government and the purchaser with inflated prices, which when reduced with the 20% equity loan are only back to what they should have been originally. The Government should be aware of this as it is so transparent but do nothing.

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house on the hill says...
2:42pm Fri 11 Jan 13

"""peatmoor pirate says...
9:29pm Thu 10 Jan 13

How about Ridgeway Farm? If Developers want to build on it, Local Govt Minister and "Man of the People" Eric Pickles will allow them despite what our locally elected politicians say.”""

Not sure about man of the people looks more like he ate all the people!!!!

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Always Grumpy says...
5:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Why don't I ever believe anything the odious Heenan ever says?
Oh, I forgot, he's a Swindon councillor!

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Empty Car Park says...
6:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Always Grumpy wrote:
Why don't I ever believe anything the odious Heenan ever says?
Oh, I forgot, he's a Swindon councillor!
Totally agree

"Green spaces will be protected" my Rs

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peatmoor pirate says...
3:33pm Sat 12 Jan 13

house on the hill wrote:
"""peatmoor pirate says...
9:29pm Thu 10 Jan 13

How about Ridgeway Farm? If Developers want to build on it, Local Govt Minister and "Man of the People" Eric Pickles will allow them despite what our locally elected politicians say.”""

Not sure about man of the people looks more like he ate all the people!!!!
Very good.

On topic, if I were a politician, local or national, of any party, I think you can clearly see people in this town are fed up of being treated as a dunping ground for more and more housing with no improvements to infrastructure. Where are all these people going to work? The local business economy has had a bit of a hit lately sadly.
The real problem is what is the alternative?

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