Allotments could be used for housing (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Allotments could be used for housing
3:10pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Local
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build nearly 250 homes on green space in Gorse Hill were revealed yesterday by Swindon Council.
Developer Haboakus plans to build 241 homes, including 106 affordable family homes, on the former allotment site, Pickards Small Field, and the open space known as Kembrey Grass, both of which are council-owned.
The council says the £30m scheme will have a number of benefits, including helping the council to meet its housing targets and supporting the economy by increasing the number of residents and creating work and training opportunities.
A further £1m from the sale of the land is also proposed be spent in landscaping the open space adjoining the proposed development and on a pavilion for Southbrook Recreation Ground.
Council leader Rod Bluh said: “It will probably attract a certain amount of opposition on the basis it’s open space. But by the definition, all new houses tend to be put on some sort of open space. This, effectively, is redundant scrubland.
“This is just an opportunity to deliver much-needed housing with a boost to the local economy and a significant investment into landscaping.”
Cabinet will be asked on February 15 to agree to a number of proposals, including for the council to sell the land and for the council and Haboakus to explore the potential of setting up a community land trust.
If this is supported, there will then be a consultation before a planning application is submitted by Haboakus.
The disposal of the land is dependent on several conditions, including the granting of planning consent, and £1m of funding from the Homes And Communities Agency.
Haboakus, a joint venture between GreenSquare and Hab Housing, is the housing provider which works with TV architect Kevin McCloud.
Josie Lewis, of Friends Of Kembrey Grass, said there was an active covenant on Kembrey Grass saying it must be kept as open space. Commenting on Pickards Small Field, she said: “They’re depriving the community of an open space and ignoring the demand for allotments.
“We are sure the ground was never meant to be built on, it’s been allotments since the 1700s.”
A public meeting to discuss the plans will be held at St Barnabas’ Church on Thursday at 6.30pm.
Comments(16)
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
5:37pm Wed 8 Feb 12
This is just an opportunity to deliver much-needed housing with a boost to the local economy and a significant investment into landscaping"
Er... No. The only boost to the economy houses will bring is short term at best unless you have the jobs to go with the houses. Otherwise it just becomes another place to collect people for the welfare state. I don't recall seeing any major job announcements recently. Increasing residency does not lead to creating training and work opportunities.
People who buy their houses typically don't like shelling out a lot of money to be very close to "affordable housing".
Is this land allotments or is the land formerly allotments. Big difference between the two; especially since Swindon has a large waiting list for allotment space last time I checked. The article seems to contradict the title.
If the land is formely allotments, why did the allotments disappear?
itsamess
says...
8:40pm Wed 8 Feb 12
greenpacer
says...
1:26am Thu 9 Feb 12
sn5
says...
7:09am Thu 9 Feb 12
Robfm
says...
10:04am Thu 9 Feb 12
So very real possibility that it will once again cost the rate/tax payers money in grants etc to the builders like the last development they did.
Wowbie
says...
10:05am Thu 9 Feb 12
It was a building site when people were forced to move in, some with paint still drying on the walls. There are countless corners cut and issues that are still unresolved.
The heating is breaking down in various houses on an almost daily basis (nice in this weather).
It seems that although the design is good and the houses pleasant enough it helps to actually monitor the cowboys that put these developments together and have a proper sign over of a completed and working property before moving some poor sod and their family in!!!
Always Grumpy
says...
6:15pm Thu 9 Feb 12
greenpacer wrote:I have a feeling the original allotments were deemed unsafe because of toxic substances found on the site as a result of the old incinerator located next to them.
There is still some space at Barnfield Road sandwiched between Lidl and Thamesdown's Bus depot. Don't know who owns it , but that might make good allotment land. I had thought Stagecoach would've taken such a prime site,but their thoughts are on a site at Cheney Manor !
I Too
says...
10:14pm Thu 9 Feb 12
On a plus note I have more time to keep you company on here now
I Too
says...
8:22am Fri 10 Feb 12
Robfm wrote:Well thanks to you, I am about to cost the tax payer money.
But will these be Social Housing, isn't that what GreenSquare does.
So very real possibility that it will once again cost the rate/tax payers money in grants etc to the builders like the last development they did.
On a plus note, I get more time to keep you company on here.
Robfm
says...
9:22am Fri 10 Feb 12
In my experience the individual is usually responsible for their own demise where their job is concerned I think you have posted on at least half a dozen occasions I did not know where you worked, so I don't quite see the connection.
Wowbie
says...
9:57am Fri 10 Feb 12
I Too
says...
9:28pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Robfm wrote:That's why you have no customers
If you have indeed lost your job then you should look to yourself, and not seek to blame anyone else.
In my experience the individual is usually responsible for their own demise where their job is concerned I think you have posted on at least half a dozen occasions I did not know where you worked, so I don't quite see the connection.
Always Grumpy
says...
11:46am Sat 11 Feb 12
I Too wrote:Well, that's nice - always commenting on the story as usual!
No they were not. That "feeling" is just your incontinent pants leaking.
On a plus note I have more time to keep you company on here now
You know there weren't traces of toxic substances found because.......???
I merely stated that ' I thought' there were problems in the past, you seem to know for certain there weren't any problems, so just give me the evidence and I'll believe you.
Anyway, have you visited that location I gave you yet? You really would be at home there.
As to my incontinent pants leaking, that's rather a personal question, but seeing you asked they're fine. Thanks for asking anyway, you were obviously concerned. As you are no doubt aware from your own experiences, this cold weather can cause problems - or so I'm told.
Robfm
says...
1:05pm Sat 11 Feb 12
TINKS30
says...
9:19am Mon 13 Feb 12
com/groups/152481078
203078/
fedupagain says...
3:18pm Wed 8 Feb 12