Residents to have a say on plans for Ridgeway Farm homes (From Swindon Advertiser)

Residents to have a say on plans for Ridgeway Farm homes

1:50pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Scott D'Arcy

HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey is set to consult residents over controversially approved plans for 700 homes to the north-west of the town.

The developer won on appeal for its Ridgeway Farm proposal for a 700-house mixed development on land under Wiltshire Council jurisdiction, just north of Peatmoor.

The Secretary of State approved the buildings in the face of fierce opposition from residents in Purton and Swindon, on both sides of the local authorities’ fences.

The meeting is set to shed light on the money Taylor Wimpey will hand the authority for the development, called a section 106 agreement, which is understood to amount to around £1.1m for road improvements and additional school provision.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “Through our Section 106 agreement for Ridgeway Farm, we will be contributing £395,580 to Wiltshire Council for highway improvements.

“From this, £345,580 will go towards the congestion reduction on the Mead Way corridor and £50,000 towards improving the road network in the vicinity of the site; at the Western section of Purton Road to be retained, Swinley Drive, and the junction of Purton Road and Washpool.

“Also, the development will deliver a one form entry primary school and a secondary education contribution of £700,000 towards the provision of new buildings and/or new extension to existing school buildings – and associated IT furniture equipment and facilities – to accommodate additional pupil places at Bradon Forest Secondary School.

“Further contributions will be made to an array of other matters including leisure, sport and recreation, cemeteries, footpaths, GP surgery, libraries, fire and rescue, in addition to the provision of on-site play areas and public art.”

Coun Nick Martin (Shaw, Con) said: “It is interesting they are giving money for improvements to Mead Way as the development is outside Swindon.

“Of course, sorting Mead Way out is likely to cost around £100m if it is to link Thamesdown Drive with Great Western Way. The road was never designed to deal with the northern expansion so quite what they are going to do with that money I don’t know.

“Clearly we don’t want the traffic on Swinley Drive either, which is why we’ve proposed a bus gate. I would say keep the money and just don’t use our roads.”

The consultation will take place on February 18 between 2pm and 8pm at Roughmoor Hall, in Swinley Drive. There will also be a meeting held by Swindon councillors at Roughmoor Social Hall, Swinley Drive, this Saturday from 11am to 1pm to discuss traffic issues.