Residents’ concerns handed over to council (From Swindon Advertiser)

Residents’ concerns handed over to council

7:40pm Saturday 13th June 2009 in

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SOUTH Marston residents have made their concerns clear over a proposed 12,000-home development on their doorstep.

Worries about the size and funding of the Eastern Development Area (EDA), as well as the effect on flooding and traffic have all been raised by the residents.

The EDA is a proposed development of 12,000 houses, community facilities and infrastructure on land between South Marston and Wanborough, east of the A419.

More than 200 feedback forms from the South Marston community have been delivered to Coun Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Council’s lead member for the project.

Simon Olive, who handed the forms to Coun Greenhalgh, has been vocal in his opposition to the EDA.

He said: “I stood up at a parish meeting and said that we were acting like this was a fait accomplit. I said it was important to encourage people that this is not a done deal and that we can still have our say on this.

“We have had a fantastic response. We have had more than 200 feedback forms sent in and others have done them online or sent them individually. I would say 75 to 85 per cent of people have returned their feedback forms.”

Simon said the opposition movement to the EDA had grown in strength over the past few weeks.

He said: “I was concerned at first that all the parish councils were just concerned with how the development would affect them and were very inward looking. I felt we should work together.

“Then I discovered that Gary Sumner and Wanborough Parish Council were making moves to bring everyone together, which I think makes it easier for us to present our concerns.

“The important message to get across, from my point of view, is that this is not a done deal and we have to work together to take on the system.”

Coun Greenhalgh, lead member for sustainability, transport and strategic planning, said: “It’s very encouraging to see the community are engaging in the process. It is very helpful to us to hear their comments.

“Working together hopefully we can get the right message across to central Government that if they are going to foist growth on Swindon then the funding needs to be in place. It’s important that Government hears that message not just from councillors but from the community and the people of Swindon.

“I would urge everyone to contact Swindon’s two MPs and ask them to join us in lobbying Government to make sure that crucial funding is in place before a single house is built.”

Swindon residents have until 4.30pm on Monday to make their concerns known about the EDA.

Any comments should be made in writing and sent to Forward Planning Group, Freepost SCE5251, Swindon Borough Council, Premier House, Station Road, Swindon, SN1 1TZ, or emailed to: forward planning@swindon. gov.uk.

An online response form can be found at the council website, www.swindon.gov.uk.