Letter from Jason Reeves (From Swindon Advertiser)

Letter from Jason Reeves

2:52pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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WITH regards to a recent letter, stating that the "not in my back yard" brigade are going from strength to strength. I would like to agree wholeheartedly. There does seem to be a surge of people, that don't agree with all that is placed before them.

There are those prepared to spend time, effort, and even money to oppose more than one development proposal. Is it that they've got nothing better to do with their lives?

Why would that be? Surely it wouldn't be that despite many decades of housing developments, springing up all around Swindon, the only price drops were caused by recessions?

Who would believe that building houses, on a marshy field, directly adjacent to a nature reserve, would have an impact on water dependant wildlife?

Who in their right mind would feel that the image of Swindon, as ‘characterless’ or ‘a builders dustbin’, is caused by the loss and destruction of much of its heritage?

Surely everyone feels that Swindon is full of character, and possibly becoming the most beautiful place on earth.

Further afield, everyone must see the financial benefits of manning non productive nuclear power stations, with hundreds of staff, in order to maintain safety. Why would anyone not think that nuclear is the complete solution?

Nobody would believe that lovely, kind-hearted developers would rename areas, such as Coate and Badbury Wick, to a non existent place (Commonhead), in the hope that the public would assume their plans were for another area?

Why not rely on the ballot box? It's not as if each political party blames their predecessor, for everything that they fail to achieve is it?

Politicians are impeccable, I expect. None of them would consider even fiddling their expenses.

If anyone disagrees with any of the previous statements, chances are they are a potential nimby.

If enjoying the countryside, appreciating heritage and historical building, makes one a nimby, there could be many out there.

If you consider the future impact of destroying pleasant aspects, and the effect of areas on communities, be careful. You too might be a nimby.

Does questioning councillors, politicians, or developers, mean I'm a nimby?

Oh yes, I am a nimby and a very proud one at that. I would urge all potential nimbys to come out of the closet.

Get in touch with the group that is trying to defend an area, or a building that you care about, even if it's not in your back yard.

Being a nimby is something to be proud of.

JASON REEVES Dean Street Swindon