SWINDON'S politicians are determined to make Swindon the UK's top green town.

At a meeting of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on Friday in the Pilgrim Centre, campaigners heard about the great strides being made to improve the situation for the town's wildlife and biodiversity.

Restoration projects including the addition of meanders to the straightened River Ray in north Swindon and projects like those in the Quarries in Old Town will create habitats which wildlife can move to and from.

But improving conditions for wildlife alone won't make the town a greener place to live.

Coun Roderick Bluh, Swindon Council leader, said: "We all know we have a big challenge ahead of us, but we know we cannot do anything about the international situation so we have to do what we can locally.

"Some of the large developments which are being planned and built around the town are being built with wildlife and the biodiversity in mind and we trying to build communities that are sustainable."

Coun Bluh said he wanted the town to lead the way in energy efficient zero-carbon housing, but pointed out that measures to do that per household currently cost more than £14,000. He said he hopes that market forces would bring those prices down.

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said the environment was becoming the government's top priority.

"The environment and concerns about climate change have to become a priority, otherwise spending billions on health and education will have a reduced effect.

"Climate change would affect people's health dramatically as there would be increases in a range of illnesses, it would also effect education and this is why we need to act now."

North Swindon MP Michael Wills said: "We have a unique opportunity in Swindon to be leading the way forward on green issues.

"Swindon has been very successful with wildlife projects but we now need to push for greener development and I am encouraged by the council's interest in zero-carbon homes which is something I have been pushing for, for the last three years or so."

The Advertiser launched the Time to Change campaign in November to explain how readers can do their bit to help reduce energy emissions, and therefore use less carbon dioxide and minimise their impact on climate change.

The aim is to demonstrate that every household can do its bit to reduce the impact on the environment, as well as exerting pressure on councils and the Government to lead from the top.

l The council is asking residents to have their say on building and its effects on the environment.

It has produced a sustainable design and construction draft planning guidance document which aims to secure more sustainable ways of designing and operating new buildings in the borough.

It can be seen in public libraries and can be commented on until March 2.