A LEADING light in the local business world has called on Swindon Council to abolish plans to build 12,000 homes to the east of Swindon.

Kevin Copp, president of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce, believes the Eastern Development Area (EDA) could turn central Swindon into a ghost town.

He is also concerned that the development – proposed for land east of the A419 between South Marston and Wanborough – will cause traffic chaos and increase the risk of flooding.

Mr Copp, who became chamber president last month, said: “Although the aim for the EDA is to complement Swindon town centre we fear that in reality it would compete with it. The development is too large for proper integration with the town centre and, as such, will be a stand alone community completely disconnected from the town centre.

“The town centre should have a heart and soul, be a real community and be economically successful and vibrant. If the plans for the EDA go ahead it could result in Swindon taking on the form of a doughnut – with little more than a ghost town in the middle.

“The potential damage that the proposed out of town district centre will have on Swindon town centre cannot be underestimated. We call on Swindon Council to abolish the development in its proposed state.”

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for sustainability, transport and strategic planning, said: “I would invite him to look at the plans – the whole idea is to link the EDA to the town centre to prevent exactly this kind of doughnut. We have already seen that happen in the northern area with the Orbital Retail Park.

“The idea is to only have minor retail in the EDA – just to provide the basics and encourage those links with the town centre for everything else.”

Mr Copp, who is the business development director for the Worklife Company in Burbage, also expressed concern about congestion on the already overburdened A419.

He said: “The A419 is a strategically significant road for long distance traffic and the proposals do not satisfactorily address these movements. If 12,000 new homes were built, this congestion would undoubtedly be aggravated further and could result in the roads within the EDA being used as a rat run.”

He added that large scale development on the area would increase flood risks.

Coun Greenhalgh said: “Traffic management is crucial and the last thing anyone wants to see is major congestion. That is why we have the transport strategy, which identifies £370m of improvements to our transport network.

“I have also been very robust in pointing out that we will not allow any development without funding for the necessary infrastructure.

“Before any development there would also have to be flooding risk surveys carried out.”

PARK and ride sites should be included in the blueprint for the Eastern Development Area, according to Kevin Copp.

The chamber of commerce was highly critical of Swindon Council’s decision to mothball the Groundwell Park and Ride in May.

Mr Copp said: “The fact that a park and ride site is not included on the indicative master plan is concerning. This calls into question the council’s commitment to the Swindon Transport Strategy and the new Core Strategy Document.

“It is essential that any major development proposals in Swindon integrates with the town centre with respect to travel modes including public transport as well as vehicular and cycle access.”

Coun Peter Greenhalgh said: “Park and ride is a key part of our transport strategy and we have estimated that up to five sites may be required.

“If there is a need for a park and ride in the EDA then there will be one but the idea of having rapid transit corridors into the town centre is to encourage people to move away from their cars.”