Post by Coate Water on Mar 11, 2009 14:58:30 GMT -5
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/4137138.Coate_housing__key_for_target_/
Coate housing 'key for target'
7:40am Thursday 19th February 2009
A PLANNING expert says development at Coate is essential to achieving Swindon Council’s housing targets.
Speaking on day six of the Coate enquiry at Swindon’s Marriott Hotel, Pegasus Planning Group boss Stephen Bawtree said Swindon’s desperate need for housing is an ‘important material consideration’ which supports the argument in favour of the Coate development.
Mr Bawtree already counts the northern development of Swindon as a feather in his cap as well as expansion projects in Chippenham and Calne.
As part of his evidence Mr Bawtree quoted part of a statement from Swindon Council.
The statement says “...Swindon faces potential barriers to its continued success – a disappointing town centre, poor image and limited cultural offer and a low educational attainment. Through working with key private and public partners, Swindon is set to become a destination of choice.”
He went on to say that Swindon Council’s ambitions for the town include a new university campus for around 8,000 students alongside 1,800 houses, employment opportunities and an extension to the Great Western Hospital.
Following his review of the growth in Swindon, Mr Bawtree said that although Swindon is in need of housing and has other development areas available, the council should ensure that it does not undermine the Local Plan by making the wrong decision.
“I find that the need for housing is an important material consideration which supports the grant of planning permissions,” he said.
“Even if Swindon Council are right in their assertion that they have adequate supply of deliverable housing land, it is incumbent on the council to demonstrate whether the granting of planning permissions would undermine policy objectives.”
The housing proposals have angered Coate campaigner Jean Saunders.
On day two of the inquiry she said: “I would say that developers would sell their grandmothers to build houses.
“The council are trying to say they could bring proposals forward and they assume the planning applications will quickly go through the committee, but we will be objecting to every single application.
“There’s no way houses should be built on Coate on the strength of public opinion alone.”
Coate housing 'key for target'
7:40am Thursday 19th February 2009
A PLANNING expert says development at Coate is essential to achieving Swindon Council’s housing targets.
Speaking on day six of the Coate enquiry at Swindon’s Marriott Hotel, Pegasus Planning Group boss Stephen Bawtree said Swindon’s desperate need for housing is an ‘important material consideration’ which supports the argument in favour of the Coate development.
Mr Bawtree already counts the northern development of Swindon as a feather in his cap as well as expansion projects in Chippenham and Calne.
As part of his evidence Mr Bawtree quoted part of a statement from Swindon Council.
The statement says “...Swindon faces potential barriers to its continued success – a disappointing town centre, poor image and limited cultural offer and a low educational attainment. Through working with key private and public partners, Swindon is set to become a destination of choice.”
He went on to say that Swindon Council’s ambitions for the town include a new university campus for around 8,000 students alongside 1,800 houses, employment opportunities and an extension to the Great Western Hospital.
Following his review of the growth in Swindon, Mr Bawtree said that although Swindon is in need of housing and has other development areas available, the council should ensure that it does not undermine the Local Plan by making the wrong decision.
“I find that the need for housing is an important material consideration which supports the grant of planning permissions,” he said.
“Even if Swindon Council are right in their assertion that they have adequate supply of deliverable housing land, it is incumbent on the council to demonstrate whether the granting of planning permissions would undermine policy objectives.”
The housing proposals have angered Coate campaigner Jean Saunders.
On day two of the inquiry she said: “I would say that developers would sell their grandmothers to build houses.
“The council are trying to say they could bring proposals forward and they assume the planning applications will quickly go through the committee, but we will be objecting to every single application.
“There’s no way houses should be built on Coate on the strength of public opinion alone.”
