The article does seem to be a mass of contradictions, “an isolated housing estate removed from services and community provision”, and then goes on to say, 'Nearby residents also complained that trees were not correctly plotted and that road infrastructure needed to be improved before more building could be considered'. So it can't be that isolated then.

Some residents want a community centre, some don't.

I bet SBC are loving this, the existing housing developments in and around the town are mothballed as there are no buyers, the regeneration developments, if they go ahead will have flats and houses no one will be able to afford, Coate Water plan is a mess. Our Councillors really are a shining example to other towns, of how not to do things, however at least they didn't invest our money in Iceland.

Im getting so p**d off by this taht I wish I was still in jail. No wonder people are turnin to crime more and more. Just to get out of this place.

In light of the complaints officers have recommended that the committee refuse the application

road infrastructure needed to be improved before more building could be considered. Etc Etc

Have to agree with Bobfm's view on this one.The article does seem to be a mass of contradictions.
50,000 people have protested about the Coate abomination, so why have SBC done sweet BA to reject those plans?
Do Wilson Homes offer a smaller "bung" than Persimmon and Redrow ?

May I ask, which councillor is it that lives in the area concerned?

I had to laugh, SBC turning down a planning application because of a 'lack of parking'?

That's never been of the slightest interest where the flats they've crammed into Old Town have been concerned.

Odd that they'll merrily continue allowing over-development of an already over populated area but refuse permission for just 51 houses in the middle of nowhere.

So, which councillor is it then?

With reference to the planning application there are a number of different views amongst the residents but I would like to thank APRA for taking the trouble to collate a general view and then making this known to all the residents.

My personal view as resident and I emphasise this is my own view is as follows;

I do not believe that DWH had any intention of following the original planning consent and that the LA was duped about the commitment to the working spaces. The efforts made by DWH in this respect have been very poor and their claims the property would not let due to other Swindon locations is a very weak arguement. Good quality space in good locations always lets and this should have been both.

That said the best option with no work space is housing but the current S106 is too severe by volume and thus the total volume will not work in this space with the parking guidelines laid out by government. In fact a development of 40 properties with adequate parking would probably be about right.

There was no support for the hall because the cost for ongoing maintenance had not be secured from the LA and this was critical to this decision.

The rejction of shops is becasue people have moved to here knowing the location and its surroundings. I venture to suggest a shop would not be appropriate, probably not viable and would probably attract trouble in this location.

There is a need for DWH to offer the residents and the LA an incentive for this development to proceed and it has to be something that is sustainable. I would suggest that DWH gives great consideration to facilitating the ownership of the open spaces by the residents rather than Solitaire and that in conjunction with the LA there is some adjustment to the parking arrangements at the existing development just to make things more balanced to modern transport demands. In addition a better quality bus shelter would also make some sense. Then there is a need for a footpath from Alexandra Park towards Wroughton.

These things may seem petty but they are the things that just make the difference. There is a solution to this application and it lies in a compromise between the LA and DWH with the residents interests at the heart of the solution.

Kindest regards

Labby the Labrador

Alexandra Park is a great place to live as as it matures over the coming yeras it is going to be one of THE places to live in Wiltshire.

My vote is for the housing if DWH can bring themselves to agree to some sensible adjustemnets and the LA can also work out better scale development and parking.

Thankyou for that pile of gobbley gook councillor Labrador.
Now would you please kindly inform us, which councillor lives in the vincinity of the proposed 51 houses

Its always disappointing when other writers have to resort to personal attacks. I am never sure if this is due to poor intillect or just plain ignorance. However to assist on this occasion all you need to do is use your undoubted internet talent to visit the Council website and then look at the councillors and where they live......... got it so far.......... excellent! Now all you have to do is have the abulity to read and hey presto guess what YUP!!! There they are the names of Councillors that live close to Alexandra Park. I guess calling something gobbldy gook is because you don't understand the issues or the technicalities. Sometimes least said the better!!

It's true. I don't have an 'abulity'.
Why should I go to the trouble of visiting the council web site, when the councillors, masquerading on this site, could just tell us?

One Nil to I TOO methinks!