TAKEN together the areas of Freshbrook and Grange Park are a snapshot of the varied makeup of West Swindon as a whole.

Freshbrook is made up of many more council-owned properties and the area itself is generally less affluent than Grange Park, which sits just the other side of Whitehill Way.

Built later than the mid-80s Freshbrook, Grange Park is mostly privately-built and borders the grounds of the historic Lydiard Park, which the residents are fiercely protective of.

For instance when in the latter part of last year the land on Hook Street south, a stone’s throw from Grange Park, was subject to a planning application for 175 homes there was noisy opposition.

An appeal by the developer and an apparent confusion over Government policy has led to concerns from residents these new houses may be get through on a technicality.

Speaking to those who live in Grange Park they vehemently oppose the new development because they believe it will distinctly alter the area. With a potential application for 2,000 homes on Hook Street north, which is under Wiltshire Council jurisdiction, the currently leafy suburb faces being swallowed up.

Alan Bailey, who has lived in Grange Park for 11 years, said the area has plenty going for it but the planning issues loom large on the horizon.

“By and large there is an excellent community spirit in both Grange Park and Freshbrook,” the 70-year-old said.

“Most folk are very proud of Greendown School, which gets very involved in the community – they put on a carol concert this Christmas and have lots of outings. The church is also very active in the area.

“We focus on Freshbrook or the Link Centre for community activity. One of the biggest changes is the new school and the development of Freshbrook centre.

“But the big concern for many of us at the moment is that the proposed development could change the entire area.”

Much of the community activity in the area centres on Freshbrook though, with Freshbrook Village Centre, in Worsley Road, featuring a pub, a community centre, sheltered accommodation, a primary school and a church just up the road.

The reopening of Freshbrook Community Centre and the newly-built Millbrook Primary School – an amalgamation of the former Windmill Hill and Freshbrook schools – has helped foster a renewed community spirit in the area.

Tracy Brown, vice-chairman of the committee which runs Freshbrook Community Centre, has been living in the area for 31 years.

She said the sense of community had returned to the area after a long absence.

Full story and pictures in tomorrow's Swindon Advertiser.