A plan to build nearly 2,000 houses and a university campus close to the Coate Water country park beauty spot on the edge of Swindon has been rejected by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham.
He supported Swindon Borough Council’s case that the development was inappropriate in size, scale and location, after the developers appealed on the grounds that the council hadn’t made a decision on their planning application.
The scheme, by the Swindon Gateway Partnership led by Persimmon and Redrow Homes, sought to build 1,800 houses, a large business park and provide land for a university campus on green field land.
Following the developer’s appeal in November 2008, the public inquiry was held during February and March this year, chaired by government-appointed inspector David Richards. His report was sent to The Secretary of State, who dismissed the appeal.
Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for Sustainability, Transport and Strategic Planning Cllr Peter Greenhalgh said: “This decision is great news. We were determined to fight this proposal as hard as we could, and I’m very pleased that the minister has agreed with our position. The council’s planning team worked extremely hard and put together an excellent case.
“If the developers had been allowed to go ahead, it would have done huge damage to our future hopes to regenerate the town centre, as well as being disastrous for Coate. We will now continue our work with the University of the West of England to secure a more appropriate site in central Swindon.”
The appeal hearing involved legal cross-examination of witnesses from the developers, along with opponents of the plan who included Swindon Council, Swindon South MP Anne Snelgrove, the Save Coate Campaign, Liddington Parish Council, the Richard Jefferies Society and the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Peter Barefoot the development partner at Alder King Property Consultants who acted for the Swindon Gateway Partnership as their Expert Witness on the employment land and business park issues said: “Whilst disappointed with the decision, particularly in view of the difficult economic circumstances in Swindon at the moment, I was pleased to observe that the Secretary of State has confirmed that this is a sustainable location for development and that the Council continues to recognise the potential of the Gateway site for development in its Core Strategy.
“My clients, Persimmon and Redrow, remain committed to developing a scheme for Swindon Gateway which will deliver major benefits and, at the same time, satisfy local planners.
“Our team will continue to work with the Council to agree an alternative proposal to limit any impact on Coate Water.”
