School plan is kicked into touch (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

School plan is kicked into touch

Coun Glenn Smith, left, and Steve Holborow, second left, and other concerned residents after the meeting Picture Ref: 78903-09RESIDENTS are celebrating after plans to build more than 250 homes were thrown out.

The buildings were earmarked to go on the site of St Joseph's Upper School, in Stratton St Margaret.

One councillor described the proposals as "faceless, ghastly and meaningless."

George Wimpey homes had already been given outline planning permission for the project and the council planning office had recommended the plans be granted.

But at a planning committee meeting last night, during which residents spoke out against the plans for 258 homes, 50 per cent of which were flats, councillors decided to send the construction company back to the drawing board.

During the meeting, Coun Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said: "I find this development wholly offensive.

"This one should really go down in Swindon history in the annals of bad design. It's unfair to inflict this on the people of Swindon. The designs are faceless, they are ghastly, they are meaningless."

Local councillors, Glenn Smith (Con, Covingham and Nythe) and Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) both spoke out against the plans.

They cited the traffic problems and the density of the buildings, as well as the high number of flats as problems.

Doreen Dart (Con, Blunsdon) said: "There are more representations from neighbours than I have seen in a very, very long time.

"There is grave concern about this development."

Maurice Fanning (Lab, Pinehurst and Gorse Hill) told the meeting that there were not enough doctors or dentists in the area.

Speaking after the council's decision to turn permission down local people were pleased at the outcome.

Steve Holborow, 25, of Wagtail Close, spoke on behalf his fellow residents about the problem with the new flats overshadowing his estate.

He said: "I'm elated at the outcome. We're really happy it's been refused by the council and the refusal is not unjustified.

"It would be a real over-development of the area."

Terry Knott, 58, of Nythe Road, who also attended the meeting along with other concerned residents, said: "We are very pleased. They have refused it and hopefully they will greatly reduce the number of flats in the area."

Coun Glenn Smith (Con, Covingham and Nythe) said it was a victory for the people.

"I'm pleased that the people have been listened to," he said. "The comments made by the public have been taken in to account and it's a victory for them."

Graham Smith, from DPDS, the planning consultant for George Wimpey, said: "Clearly my client is going to be very disappointed, particularly when we had recommendation for approval from the planning officer.

"We will need to have a further look at the scheme and discussions with the officers of the council."

St Joseph's is due to move to one site off Queens Drive next summer.

Gareth Bethell