Archive - Tuesday, 6 April 2004


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Residents out in force to object to proposal

RESIDENTS turned out in force to object to Swindon Town's plans for a football stadium being built on land promised as a community forest.

More than 130 people attended the monthly meeting of the Shaw Residents' Association last night.

The main topic of discussion was the plan for Old Shaw Tip, between Rivermead and Sparcells.

People were concerned about increased traffic, noise pollution and the visual impact of the development, as well as the loss of a green space.

Thousands of trees have been planted on the proposed stadium site, many in memory of residents' loved ones.

Residents voted unanimously to fight to keep the site, also known as the Peatmoor Recreation area, as a community forest.

Keith Williams, the chairman of the Shaw Residents' Association, said: "We only publicised this meeting last week and we have had an exceptional response.

"It shows the strength of public feeling. If this is the number of people who turn up with a week's notice, it just shows a fraction of the people in West Swindon who are opposed to the development."

And councillors Coun Nick Martin (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms), Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms), Coun Doug Stewart (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms) and Coun Peter Stoddart (Con, Abbey Meads), who all attended the meeting, are supporting them in their campaign.