25/05/08 - Conservatives Fight West Swindon Development As Deadline Looms

Government-led plans to build three thousand new homes on green space bordering West Swindon are being strongly opposed by local Conservatives.

Regional planners are proposing the huge development at Pry Farm, Ridgeway Farm and Moredon Bridge, with the consultation period due to end in less than a week.  The plans are fully supported by North Swindon Labour MP Michael Wills, who is adamant this green land should be built on.

South & North Swindon parliamentary candidates Robert Buckland & Cllr Justin Tomlinson are calling for the plans to be scrapped.  They are supported by councillors from Shaw & Nine Elms and Abbey Meads, the wards closest to the threatened development.

Robert Buckland said, “This is the wrong development in the wrong place.

“The government is forcing thousands of new houses on Wiltshire, but is not providing the money for the extra roads and services to cope with the influx.

“A Conservative government would return the power to make these sorts of decisions to local people.  But in the meantime, this development must not go ahead”.

Councillor Nick Martin, Shaw & Nine Elms ward, said, “I have some sympathy with the planners who are forced to find somewhere to build all the new houses being imposed on us by the government.

“But this is precious green space.  And West Swindon, and particularly our already congested roads, cannot cope with thousands of extra residents on our doorstep.

“I urge local people to join us in registering their opposition to these plans before the consultation period ends on March 30th”.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, "Local residents I represent as a Councillor in the Abbey Meads ward are extremely concerned at both the loss of yet more green land under this Labour Government, and also the impact on the local infrastructure such as the roads and community facilities.  Yet again out of touch Labour MPs are determined to ignore the concerns of local residents - shame on them.''