Letter from Felicity Cobb

In it you advised the public that if they wished the future of Coate Water to be in their own hands - and not in those of developers or councillors - then they should make sure their feelings are known to Mr Ian Halsall, Planning Officer, Swindon Borough Council, Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

There is now a three week consultation period during which time planning officials will gauge the enthusiasm Swindon residents have for the new proposals from Redrow and Persimmon Homes to build 890 new homes between the Great Western Hospital and Day House Lane.

Peter Greenhalgh, the senior cabinet member for planning, has supported the developers’ plans, saying that the new proposal would protect Coate Water.

“This proposal is the best proposal that has been put forward for the general area. I think the development will protect the character of Coate Water and should prevent building between this land and Coate itself.”

The Save Coate coalition feels strongly that this is dangerous nonsense.

How can the opening up of an area that for decades has been prevented from housing and office development suddenly act as a breaker for any future development?

Clearly, it will have the opposite effect.

The landowners of the fields around Coate have been waiting for years to have the opportunity to sell their land to developers, ever since the Science Park proposals over 25 years ago.

Indeed, that building proposal was far less intrusive in the environment than the 2011 proposed scheme yet Swindon Borough Council was opposed to it, as was the Secretary of State.

I would urge readers to ensure that their wishes do count, and write to Ian Halsall at Wat Tyler House as soon as possible.

Without your efforts the area around Coate Water could soon be disfigured by concrete. Once building starts then the developers will very soon seek permission to extend their building.

FELICITY COBB

Save Coate Coalition