It's all growing well for forest (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It's all growing well for forest

FOOTPATHS, seats and more trees will soon be appearing at Shaw Community Forest. The forest, which had looked to be lost under concrete when it was chosen as the destination for Swindon Town's new stadium last year, is now set for a makeover.

It's part of Swindon Council's plan to rejuvenate the forest in West Swindon as part of the list of 50 pledges announced earlier in the year.

In spite of some recent renovation, public access has been limited but the council's promise number 23 of 50 would change this by 2008.

As part of its 30-year vision for the future the council plans to transform the old tip sites in Shaw, Peatmoor and Barnfield into urban forests.

Coun Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) is pleased how far the forest supporters have come since the move was rejected.

Coun Martin said: "Shaw Forest Park is a fantastic success story and demonstrates how land can be recycled and industrial waste sites restored.

"Gas pipes have been laid and it is a case of building more and more layers of soil onto the original site so that the area can hopefully open up to the public by the new year."

Concerns that the underlying waste may cause damage to walkers and trees are unfounded.

"The area will be very safe and covered under several foot of soil. It simply marks the end of landfill tipping in the middle of Swindon," said Coun Martin.

The scheme to turn the Shaw site into a public beauty spot was an initiative originally brought to the council's attention a decade ago by the Great Western Community Forest group.

The group has planted more than 46,000 trees on the Shaw site over the past 11 years with the help of local residents.

Ed Stanford, landscape and countryside manager, said: "For a while the landfill sites have been an eyesore to the community with plastic bags flying around and unpleasant smells creating a bad atmosphere.

"The Shaw site is large and has an amphitheatre where we will look to hold various events including concerts and firework displays."

A tree planting project has been organised by the Great Western Group at Shaw Forest on Sunday, November 6 from 10am until 6pm.

For more information call 01793 466324.

Victoria Ashford