Here are the basic minutes from the first meeting of the Oakhurst Residents' Association, as transcribed by Jeff Hill:
Oakhurst Residents' Association
Chairman: Jeff Hill
Secretary: Stephanie Excell
Committee: 5 Committee members (names redacted)
Meeting Notes 23rd November 2010-11-30
Meeting Notes 23rd November 2010-11-30
Reference: Tadpole Farm Development
A number of residents have expressed interest and concern after reading about the proposed development in the November issue of Link Magazine.
As a result of this Stephanie Excell and Jeff Hill had had a number of discussions and decided to reform the Oakhurst Residents Association and use this platform in order to register a general protest at the impact the development might have on local resources and road infrastructure.
A meeting was arranged to be held at The Hayden Wick Parish Council offices on Tuesday 23rd November at 19.30. Some 124 people were in attendance.
Jeff Hill provided an overview of the current position confirming:
Crest Nicholson own the land known as Tadpole Farm
‘Off the record discussions’ have taken place between the developers and councillors in order to review and discuss outline proposals. The first took place more than one year ago with councillors expressing some concern particularly with traffic management plans. The developers were asked to revise proposals and resubmit provisional plans mid 2010. This deadline was missed.
Meanwhile a web site called newmasterplanning.com claims to be working with Crest Nicholson shows outline proposals for the new site. In a subsequent telephone conversation with Sarah Foster (PR for Crest), she claims that this site should not have been posted and is more than six months out of date. She goes onto to say that she is working on initiatives to work with local residents.
Steph Excell and Jeff Hill met with Justin Tomlinson (MP), Vera Tomlinson, Peter Heaton-Jones and Peter Stoddard (Councillors) plus Roger Ogle editor of the Link Magazine on Friday 19 November in to discuss issues relating to the above proposals and to seek clarification on rumours including a proposal to widen Oakhurst Way. The outcome as expected was rather inconclusive but what is apparent is that Swindon Councillors had in principal agreed to a development at Tadpole Farm more than a year ago. Also various road plans have been ‘discussed’ including Lady Lane, Adinsell Road and Oakhurst Way but no firm conclusions have been reached as far as we can establish.
Justin Tomlinson has confirmed that a further ‘Pre App’ meeting has now been provisional fixed for 17 December. This again will be ‘off the record’ but proposals from the meeting will be placed in the public domain and we will receive copies. (Justin will not be able to make this meeting).
Vera Tomlinson has confirmed she will be organising a public meeting shortly after the 17 December but it was generally agreed that due to Xmas this would not be possible until early January.
It is noted that Redhouse Residents Association are also actively pursuing their own initiative with Tadpole Farm and whilst it would appear that they have conveyed concern that we may be working against each other, we have a firm resolve to work together, share information and where possible create joint initiatives particularly with regard to mailings and disseminating information to as many residents as possible in the Oakhurst, Redhouse, Ashbrake area.
The meeting was concluded with a move to seek volunteers to come forward to enable a committee to be formed. Jeff Hill will act as unofficial Chair and Steph as Secretary.
Steph and Jeff are to meet on Wednesday afternoon in order to agree what further action is required and to set up a formal system of keeping committee members and residents informed.
