by Jean Saunders, Swindon Friends of the Earth , Save Coate!
Objection deadline Friday 7 October, 5pm
The deadline for objecting to modified development policies for Coate in the Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan is 7 October 2005. Late objections will not be accepted.
The immediate objective is to delete new policy DP10C [Ref: PM7] and reference to ‘Development at Commonhead’ on the key inset diagram [Ref: PM13].
The proposed modifications to the Structure Plan policies are now available as an Adobe Acrobat reader file. This includes the official objection sheet. Go to:
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/pdforms-proposed_mods_consultation_document-2.pdf
New reasons to object:
The scale of development proposed policy cannot be accommodated at ‘Coate’/Commonhead without destroying the very qualities that make this area special and unique. To do so would be in conflict with government policy to protect special sites.
Development of the area cannot enhance and protect the existing environment and, as such, is in conflict with modified policy DP4 whilst it is also in conflict with making provision on previously developed land and with policy to regenerate the town centre for higher order activities such as education that generate high levels of movement.
There is NO obligation to allocate ‘Coate’ for housing or employment land.
The policy is in total conflict with the vision proposed by the Jefferies Land Conservation Trust that places Swindon squarely on the map as a literary heritage site, a place for visitors to enjoy a special rural climate, and a centre for study of the environment and historic landscapes by creating a major wildlife sanctuary. [See separate article]
This vision would satisfy over 25,000 people who have signed the Save Coate! petition calling for a one kilometre of undeveloped land around Coate Water in order to protect these unique features.
The new Swindon Area insert map is available here:
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/pdforms-proposed_mods_swindon_inset_map.pdf
The Coate package is depicted as a star “Development at Commonhead”.
Objections should be sent in writing to:
Strategic Plan Manager
Strategic and Countryside Planning Group
Environmental Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8JD
or by email to: structureplan@wiltshire.gov.uk.