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Tories under fire over playing fields (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Tories under fire over playing fields
2:20pm Saturday 13th September 2008
POLITICAL rivals have slammed Conservative politicians who promised to keep green space at the former Headlands School free of houses.
And residents have sent the St Philip ward councillors David Sammels and Paul Findlow a list of 20 questions about the proposal to build 200 homes on the school site.
Under new plans, the playing fields beside the school, now the Swindon Academy, would be covered in 200 homes. The council needs to sell off the land to help raise £5.5m towards funding the £35m academy – which will be sited in Beech Avenue, Pinehurst.
But a Conservative newsletter published last year claimed the playing fields had been secured.
On Thursday Coun Sammels told the Adver that was the case when the newsletter was published, but further consultation had led to a change in the plans.
Joe Tray, who stood as a Labour candidate for the St Philip ward in the last election, said green space was already rare in Stratton.
“I am totally disgusted as I think Stratton suffers from less green space than other parts of Swindon,” he said.
“One of my election promises was to keep as many green areas in the area as possible.
“What amazes me is the amount of money spent on the Headlands School site and now it will be developed into houses.
“It is disgusting to spend money with the left hand and take it away with the right.”
And Liberal Democrat candidate Ann Richards said: “If it was promised the land would be preserved then it ought to be.”
Residents living near the Headlands Grove site held a meeting last night and hope to meet with ward councillors in the near future as well as gather names for a petition.
Michael Wood, of Masefield Avenue, off Headlands Grove, said: “We are hoping for straight answers. We are not opposing total development on the site. We realise Swindon Academy has to be funded but we want to be consulted.
“We hope to work with the council to do the best to please everybody.”
An outline planning application will be submitted at the end of October. A consultation took place at the school on Wednesday and another one is planned for the end of the month.
Coun David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill) said:”I was against moving the Swindon Academy to Beech Avenue as I thought it would be better left in Headlands Grove. Everybody knew that the land would have to be sold off to fund the academy.”
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Your Say YourSwindon
RF1, Swindon says...
5:06pm Sat 13 Sep 08
I certainly don't.
Bobfm, South Marston says...
9:08am Sun 14 Sep 08
For the record it is UKIP who believe in true local democracy where residents voices are really heard. But people are right, it is sadly the case that ruling parties promises are like 'Pie Crusts' they are made to be broken. One must assume the carrot for the Academy was the houses. Much like the town centre developments, SBC are giving away Rate Payers owned land worth millions to entice developers. Were the public asked if SBC could give away our land?. I think not. But as we know over regeneration SBC are just the 'puppets or is it muppets', of the EU sponsored RDA.
I Too, Swindon says...
11:17am Sun 14 Sep 08
There lips are moving.
I Too, Swindon says...
11:19am Sun 14 Sep 08
It should read THEIR lips are moving .........D'OH!
Bobfm, South Marston says...
11:25am Sun 14 Sep 08
It is as though the officials know the Councillors do not run the council, so it doesn't matter.
I Too, Swindon says...
11:37am Sun 14 Sep 08
But people are right, it is sadly the case that ruling parties promises are like 'Pie Crusts' they are made to be broken. One must assume the carrot for the Academy was the houses. Much like the town centre developments,.......
.
The same can also be said for the proposed developments around the Coate area (university "bribe") and the ten storey burial of The Mechanics' Institute (Swindon Chamber of Commerce Chums)
I don't recall a time when the general public were more dissapointed with our "Local Authority", and yet, many still refuse to vote at local elections.
True enough there doesn't seem to be anyone worth voting for, but unless you're totally chuffed with the way the town is "pimped out" to developers, at least go to the local elections and vote for "none of the above".
A line through the voting slip maintains your right to vote, but must still be counted as a destroyed paper.
Let's put Swindon on the history map, as the town with the highest number of destroyed papers.
To all planners / councillors who plead " we can't do anything, it's down to central government" I would suggest that your position is therefore void and pointless so please resign and stop wasting our money.
g5wq, south marston says...
12:28pm Sun 14 Sep 08
it is surrounded on all sides for safe and easy access from all areas within its locality .
it is a very pleasant part of that area on a focal viewpoint .
it already has a bridge crossing across cricklade road which gives safe access for those from the western side of cricklade road .
the land is superb for athletics or academics and there is a much better light aspect which will aid in the learning quality of pupils and sportsmen .
i do wonder though if the beech avenue project is a decoy to take us off the scent to the fact they want to develop and build houses on the merton fields site . .
i have nothing agsainst beech avenue but i dont think this is as good a site to place an academy as is MERTON FIELDS .
with merton fields you can cover stratton,queensfield
, penhill, pinehurst,blunsdon ,groundwell,cricklad
e road , gorse hill ,and many other areas in the north of swindon , with easy access from all sides and good security .
4 gates will cover all directions and also you wont have the traffic problems because youll have good access from 4 entrances ...
the main thought of course , is , DO THE PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO GO TO THE NEW ACADEMY IN BECCH AVENUE , or do they want to send them somewhere else ?.
as with anything else in the country , at present its a "BUYERS MARKET" .
Your sayYour Swindon
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flicky, Lawn Swindon says...
4:18pm Sat 13 Sep 08
It is time that politicians were straight with us, and that consultations and promises are kept as described.
I hope the residents of Headlands Grove and around are given truthful answers from now on, and that their views/wishes are taken into account.