ORA's suggestions for a Standard Objection/Comment Letter

PLANNING APPLICATION S/11/1588

RESIDENT'S COMMENTS

TO:  Mr I Halsall, Planning Officer, Swindon Borough Council,

Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH

Resident’s Name & Address:  

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

I  am/we are concerned about the following issues:-

Road congestion/traffic impact:  The proposal has seemingly unrealistic forecasts of the impact of the development on existing traffic flows and there are concerns that the traffic assessment does not accurately reflect the impact of the proposals.  This leads to serious concerns that existing local roads, along with the main routes that they feed into, cannot handle the additional traffic that will arise from this application.    The plans propose just three points of exit for traffic, Oakhurst Way, Saltzgitter Drive and through Blunsdon Village, none of which is suitable for the addition of large volumes of traffic. There is also no direct route from the proposed site to the town centre or main employment areas, which will also lead to an increase in traffic leaving the site.  The proposed rapid transport route is unfeasible as it will have to share the existing roads with no ability to use bus lanes.  The increased volumes of traffic will have an adverse impact on the quality of life of the existing communities, along with the associated safety risks for roads that are already difficult for school children and pedestrians to cross.  The area of search defined in the traffic modelling is not comprehensive and does not take into account the views of the community which were expressed at the developers’ consultation.

Link Magazine Article - S.106 Rabbits Will Be Pulled From the Hat

http://www.swindonlink.com/news/what-section-106-rabbits-will-be-pulled-from-the-hat

North Swindon Forum Confusion - Where's our developer money gone and does anyone want us to know?

Oakhurst Residents' Association belong to the North Swindon Forum which is hosted by the Borough. A meeting date of the 23rd November was mooted to discuss the thorny subject of where the £20m+ of developer money went and why less than 20% of it was spent on facilities in our area. Senior figures from the Borough (both officers and elected members) were to be invited to answer questions from the community.

TADPOLE FARM APPLICATION SUBMITTED S/11/1588 - MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN

The developer has now formally submitted their planning application for Tadpole Farm.

The planning application reference is S/11/1588 and details can be found at the following link -

http://195.89.201.121/PublicAccess77/tdc/dcapplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LUCLLAPT0FL00

The SBC Case Officer assigned is Mr Ian Halsall (ihalsall@swindon.gov.uk) and the official end of the consultation period is 8th December 2011, which is only three weeks away! If you send a letter/email then please remember to include your full name, address and the planning application reference.

If you are sending a letter then the address is:

Mr I Halsall,

Planning Officer,
Swindon Borough Council,
Wat Tyler House,
Beckhampton Street,
Swindon,
SN1 2JH

Scout Christmas Post 2011

Scout Christmas Post 2011

Scouts across Swindon will once again this year be taking part in the annual Scout Christmas Post.

The 7^th Swindon (Abbey Meads) Scout Group, which covers North Swindon, will be selling stamps at Asda Walmart on the Orbital Retail Park.

Stamps cost 20p each and will be on sale:

Date	Times
Friday 25 November	7pm – 8pm
Saturday 26 November	10am – 4pm
Sunday 27 November	10am – 4pm
Friday 2 December	7pm – 8pm
Saturday 3 December	10am – 4pm
Sunday 4 December	10am – 4pm
Friday 9 December	7pm – 8pm
Saturday 10 December	10am – 4pm
Sunday 11 December	10am – 4pm

The delivery area includes:

All areas of Swindon including Badbury, Bishopstone, Blunsdon, Burderop, Chiseldon, Draycott Foliat, Elcombe, Hannington, Highworth, Hinton Parva, Hodson, Inglesham, Langton Park, Liddington, Overtown, Red Barn, South Leaze, South Marston, Stanton Fitzwarren, Stratton St Margaret, Thorney Park, Wanborough, West Leaze, Wroughton.

Other Towns and Villages:

We also deliver to Wootton Bassett, Purton, Lydiard Millicent, Bushton, Clyffe Pypard, Tockenham, Broad Town, Cricklade, Latton, Ashton Keynes, Shrivenham, Watchfield, Bourton, Idstone, Ashbury & Kingston Winslow.

A special green collection box will be located in Asda ready to receive your cards.  Last collection from the post box will be 4pm on Tuesday 13th December. Cards will be delivered over the weekend of 17th/18th December.

For more information, please visit Asda during the above times, visit the Group’s website  http://sites.google.com/site/7thswindon/christmas-post-2011or call Philippa on 07960 485206.

Since 1981, Scouts across the UK have been licensed to deliver Christmas cards as part of a Scout Post.  In Swindon this helps to raise funds for Groups and raises the profile of Scouting within the local community.

ORA Constitution for the AGM

The ORA Constitution can be viewed here.

ORA AGM and Public Meeting

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, 23^rd November 2011, 7:30pm Oakhurst Community Primary School 

The AGM will be followed by a short presentation about school places, local neighbourhood issues and Tadpole Farm.  We will also discuss what local people can do to contribute to the planning application consultation.

and

Public Meeting

Friday, 2^nd December 2011, 7:00pm

Blunsdon Village Hall 

We have invited the North Swindon MP to a public meeting. This will give the residents of Oakhurst the final chance to find out what actions he has taken to protect our homes and school places from the proposed development at Tadpole Farm. 

ORA Public Meeting - MP confirms his attendance

Oakhurst Residents' Association has organised a public meeting to discuss residents' concerns about the imminent Tadpole Farm outline planning application.  The meeting will be held on Friday, 2nd December 2011, 7.00pm at Blunsdon Village Hall.

ORA will be inviting residents from all over North Swindon and community representatives from the parishes and residents' associations.  The North Swindon MP has confirmed that he will attend the meeting.

Response from the Leader of Swindon Borough Council to Oakhurst and Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Associations S.106 letter

Dear Mr Exell

Lack of Community Engagement S.106

Thank you for the letter dated 12 September 2011 to Cllr Bluh regarding the above, from yourself and Mr Hunt, an acknowledgement will be sent to Mr Hunt separately as requested.

Response from the Swindon Lib Dem Group to Oakhurst and Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Associations S.106 letter

Dear Mr. Exell and Mr. Hunt,

Lack of Community Engagement (S.106 money)

Thank you for your letter regarding this very important issue.  In response I have raised a councillor question for this Thursday's Council meeting.  Interestingly on the same day I received your letter I received one from the Haydon Wick Parish Council in the same vein.  My question is as follows:

Response from the Swindon Labour Group to Oakhurst and Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Associations S.106 letter

Dear all

Please find below a response from the Labour Group Leader regarding your correspondence with him to do with the way S106 is being allocated by Swindon Borough Council.

Kind regards

Matt Bradley (mbradley@swindon.gov.uk)

Swindon Labour Group Political Assistant

Swindon Borough Council

Tel: 01793 463800

Web: www.swindon.gov.uk

Priory Vale Developer Money - Have the Ward Councillors offered Oakhurst a Crumb of Comfort?

Oakhurst Residents’ Association & Rodbourne Cheney Residents’ Association

(Please reply to: Mr P M Exell, Chair – ORA and to Mr T Hunt, Chairman – RCRA

Cllr Rod Bluh

Leader of Swindon Borough Council,

Civic Offices,

Euclid Street,

Swindon.

SN1 2JH                                                                                            12^th September 2011

Dear Cllr Bluh, 

Lack of Community Engagement (S.106):- 

ORA publishes it's previously submitted response to SBC's Core Strategy

After a reasonable delay, ORA is able to fully publish it's detailed response to Swindon Borough Council's Core Strategy.  You can see the full document here.

Is the Northern Development bypass dead?

It has come to ORA's attention that the proposed £10 million+ improvements to the Bruce Street bridges will be part funded from the Haydon 3 developer money (this money was the Priory Vale part of the Northern Development Area).  The legal agreement originally had, ORA believe, about £17 million to be shared between the Bruce Street bridges and the Purton/Iffley Road link.  However, the legal agreement was renegotiated in 2008, when our North Swindon MP was on cabinet (and would have needed to have had his approval as an Abbey Meads ward councillor on cabinet), and several million pounds was, ORA understand, signed away.

This has meant that unless substantial monies are made available to this area again through large-scale development that the northern bypass is, effectively, dead.  This will mean that any development on the North Western border of Swindon will have to use local roads, including Oakhurst Way.  The local community programme at Swindon Borough Council called OneSwindon has said that residents should 'like where they live'.  With the traffic increase from Tadpole Farm and other developments in the area the question might be, "Are the Council supporting communities liking where they live?"

Rodbourne Cheney S.106 money finds its' way to the Community Forest

It has come to light that S.106 money (this is the financial contribution that a developer makes to offset the impact of lots of new houses in an area) from Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney ward may be winging its' way over to the Community Forest and Wiltshire Fire before anyone has had opportunity to put in a local view.  This may sound all to familiar to Oakhurst residents with so much of the Haydon 3 money having been spent by SBC's cabinet members outside of the Priory Vale area (where the developer money was originally destined for).

In discussions between the developers and a local Residents' Association information became available that some of the S.106 money from the new frozen food outlet in Rodbourne Cheney village has already been diverted elsewhere before the application has even been decided.
ORA are concerned that the same thing might happen to the Tadpole Farm legal agreement with money been taken out of the S.106 pot before there has been any discussion with the local community.  We might find that road improvements are being carried out in another part of Swindon whilst we are suffering the impact of the additional traffic from the 1,700 houses and a waste-to-energy facility. Once the money is gone there might not be another chance to get it back!!

What is happening to the incinerator at Tadpole Farm/Chapel Farm?

Confusion reigns in North Swindon about what the plans are for a CHP (combined heat and power) plant.  The developers say that there are plans for waste to be disposed of at the new, proposed Tadpole Farm/Chapel Farm waste site.  This waste will be processed at Waterside and transported to Tadpole Farm/Chapel Farm.  The traffic figures for this 'waste' disposal have not been calculated into the overall transport assessment for the development at Tadpole Farm, but it is estimated that

No medical centre for Redhouse Village Centre

At this evening's developer community feedback meeting concerning Tadpole Farm, it has emerged that the PCT have not taken up their option for a new medical centre at Redhouse Village Centre.  There was a legally documented time period of six months for the PCT to take up this option and ORA believe this has now expired.

This had been one of the key amenities that the ward councillors had asked for to service the new community at Tadpole Farm.  However, none of them had any idea that it is unlikely to be delivered.

Do any ward councillors represent Oakhurst?

ORA were invited to attend the developer's community feedback meeting concerning development at Tadpole Farm this evening.  Representatives from community groups, Haydon Wick Parish Council, Blunsdon Parish Council, ward councillors, a Borough officer and two representatives from the developers were in attendance.

The main concerns arising from the consultation in April were highways (55% of respondents), need for 1,700 additional houses in a stagnant market,

Why has the Conservative Council Leader kept the people of Oakhurst in the dark about the pyrolysis incinerator plant at Tadpole Farm/Chapel Farm?

The North Swindon MP has made it known to ORA that the Conservative Council Leader has plans, that he has known about certainly before February 2010, that a pyrolysis incinerator plant will be built at Tadpole Farm/Chapel Farm as part of the proposed development of 1,700 houses on the same site.  The Leader has made it clear that the incinerator will be of great benefit to Oakhurst.  However, he has omitted to tell ORA and people living in Oakhurst until he sent an email to the MP which was a veiled attack on one of our members.

"As for the plasma pyrolysis technology, we are confident that this will help many of environmental needs including supporting an energy partnership with local businesses and reducing our land fill. At the moment the evidence shows that it will be a great benefit to the whole borough, including Oakhurst".

ORA wonder why this 'great benefit' has been kept so secret when the Conservative Leader attended ORA's public meeting of 120 residents in April this year and made no reference to the jewel in his crown. ORA and the residents of Oakhurst are puzzled why he did not make a grand announcement earlier.

Questions regards CPCP cluster meeting raised.

The Haydon End Community blog has reported on the CPCP North Cluster meeting here, and asks questions regarding the future direction of this organisation.

NEW PYROLYSIS PLANT PLANNED FOR TADPOLE FARM/CHAPEL FARM

Pyrolysis is classed as incineration.  According to the EU Definition 2000/76/EC, Article 3(4), incineration plant means, “Any stationary or mobile technical unit and equipment dedicated to the thermal treatment of wastes with or without recovery of the combustion heat generated.  This includes the incineration by oxidation of waste as well as other thermal treatment processes, such as pyrolysis, gasification...”

WE ARE CONCERNED:

Do the Councillors take the community view seriously about Tadpole Farm?

TADPOLE FARM COMMUNITY RESOLUTION 

Oakhurst Residents’ Association representatives attended a meeting of the North Swindon Forum, called Connecting People/Connecting Places (CPCP), on 8th March 2011 and the following resolution concerning development in North Swindon was voted on and carried by ORA, Blunsdon Parish Council, Haydon Wick Parish Council and Rodbourne Cheney Residents’ Association: 

“There should be no further development in North Swindon until promised and future infrastructure is in place such as roads (Iffley Link Road), community facilities and schools. We ask that our cluster councillors take this resolution to Full Council as a motion to show their support for the community in North Swindon.” 

This resolution was amended (see below) by the Conservative Group

PROPOSED CROFT PRIMARY SCHOOL PUBLIC MEETING - Croft Area Residents' Association

Another issue has arisen where SBC have proposed plans that have angered local residents; this time in southern Swindon.  Here are the details about the meeting:

(Please note that this meeting is not being held by ORA, nor does it directly impact on the Oakhurst area)

Oakhurst Community School Summer Fayre is today

This is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year; if you've got some spare time today, please see if you can pop along.

It's being held from 11:30 to 14:30, on the school grounds.

North Swindon Forum to meet Thursday 7th July

The North Swindon Forum are due to meet at 19:00, Thursday 7th July 2011, at the Haydon Wick Parish Rooms.

According to the meeting flyer:

Oakhurst Community Primary School Summer Fayre Saturday 2nd July

Oakhurst Community Primary School Summer Fayre

This is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year; please try and come along to help out this integral part of Oakhurst's Community.

It's being held on Saturday 2nd July from 11:30 to 14:30, on the school grounds.

ORA response to Core Strategy and Tadpole Farm

The ORA committee produced a response to Swindon Borough Council’s newly proposed Core Strategy, and submitted it to the Council.  A decision was made not to publish the entire document, (which totals over 7,000 words), into the public domain at this time, but we are able to release the following synopsis:

Electoral Boundary Change

The LGBCE has produced details of their new proposals for the SBC ward changes.  They have broadly followed the proposals of the Conservative Group in Swindon.  Their consultation window closes on the 20th June.

Deadline for Core Strategy Approaches

The deadline for responses to the Swindon Borough Council Core Strategy is 18:00, Thursday 16th June 2011.  Although the ORA plans to respond formally to the Core Strategy, if you have your own individual concerns you wish to direct to the council, you have only a few days left within which to do so.

Details of the Core Strategy can be found here, there is an online response form available here, or you can email a response directly to forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk.

Blood Donation in North Swindon; Monday 13th June 2011

This is just a reminder that Orchid Vale Primary School have scheduled a blood donation session for Monday 13th June, between 15:00 and 19:30. 


To enquire more about the sessions please email orchidvaleblood@gmx.com or visit http://www.blood.co.uk/.

Oakhurst Community Primary School Summer Fayre 2nd July 2011

Oakhurst Community Primary School Summer Fayre

This is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year; please make a note in your diaries and try to come along to help out this integral part of Oakhurst's Community.

It's being held on Saturday 2nd July from 11:30 to 14:30, on the school grounds.

Minutes From 6th April Public Meeting

Here are the (extensive) minutes from the Public Meeting hosted by the ORA at Oakhurst Community Primary School on 6th April:

Oakhurst Residents' Association prepares response to the Core Strategy

Apologies for the hiatus in posting updates on the blog; the ORA Committee have been hard at work preparing a detailed and technical response to Swindon Bororugh Council's new proposed Core Strategy.  Hopefully once the document has been completed, we'll be able to publish it here.

Swindon Borough Council have also extended the deadline for responses to the Core Strategy; their new deadline is now 18:00, Thursday 16th June 2011.  Details of the Core Strategy can be found here, there is an online response form available here, or you can email a response directly to forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk.

Isambard Academy plans to impact upon Tadpole Farm plans?

The provision of Secondary Education is a widely contentious issue when it comes to the proposed Tadpole Farm development.  Crest Nicholson did not provide any concrete plans for the provision of such a requirement in their recent consultation, but one of the ideas that was mooted was the construction of new school buildings on the current Isambard Campus, whilst relocating the school's sports facilities/playing fields to their 'proposed Common'.

However Isambard's proposed conversion to an academy may alter these plans:

Isambard School - Conversion to Academy Consultation

The Chair of Governors at Isambard Community School has informed ORA that the school’s Governors are considering converting the school into an academy.  They would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.  Please see here for more details.

SBC Proposed Core Strategy Consultation begins today

The emerging core strategy sets out the Borough’s future development principles from now until 2026.  ORA understands that 19,000 homes will have to be built by this date.

Tadpole Farm is one of the sites identified for development.  The first consultations will be held today and tomorrow at the Central Library from 10am to 5pm.

Reports from ORA's Public Meeting on 6th April 2011

Swindon Link has reported on our public meeting here

ORA Committee Positions

Our current committee now consists as follows:

Chair:	Ian Birch
Vice-Chair:	Rob Nyman
Membership Secretary:	Stephanie Exell
Treasurer:	Andrew Oakes
Minutes Secretary:	Brychan Travers
Committee Members:	Henry Mandikutse

Tadpole Farm : SBC Cabinet Member Agrees With ORA

At a public meeting held in Wanborough to discuss the proposed Eastern Village plans, the Swindon Borough Council Lead Member for Planning, Cllr Peter Greenhalgh, unexpectedly seemed to come out in support of ORA over Tadpole Farm! 

Public Meeting Tomorrow 7:30 @ Oakhurst Primary School

Here is a copy of the leaflet we distributed last week, with details of tomorrows public meeting:

Tadpole Farm : Is Public Consultation Invalid?

In a bizaare move SBC's Cabinet Member For Planning has allegedly refused to attend a public consultation on a proposal for 7,500 homes in East Swindon if the media are at the meeting to report on it!  He is quoted as saying that he would only attend if the media were excluded...for more details see the full article -

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8947266.Press_blackout_over_homes_plan/

Surely a public consultation is open to all, including the media?

Reports on reactions to Tadpole Farm consultations

Swindon Link has a report here and Haydon End Community Site also has some thoughts here.

Tadpole Farm: Oakhurst Residents' Petition Goes On-Line!

The petition that calls for our Swindon MPs and councillors to consult with the residents on developments that affect them and to take account of their views has now gone on-line as an e-petition!

If you have not yet signed the paper petition, then please go to -

      http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/take_account_of_our_views

and register your support now!

SBC Proposed Core Strategy Consultation Dates & Venues

The emerging core strategy sets out the Borough’s future development principles from now until 2026.  ORA understands that 19,000 homes will have to be built by this date.

Tadpole Farm is one of the sites identified for development.  Please note the proposed consultation dates for the core strategy:

Neighbourhood Policing Team Surgery 26th March 2011

The Swindon North NPT will be holding an open surgery for consultation with members of the public on Saturday 26th March 2011, between 12:00 and 13:00, at North Swindon Library.
(Orbital Retail Park, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon)

Tadpole Farm: Crest Nicholson selling all things to all people?

Crest Nicholsons' consultation documents show us three different proposals for the same area of land.  Which one are we supposed to believe will be the end result?  Surely not all of them?

 

Tadpole Farm: ORA Resident Feedback Form

The Oakhurst Residents' Association have produced a feedback form for our members to express their concerns to Crest Nicholson regarding their current community consultations.

Click here to print or download our Resident Feedback Form.

Click here to see the last three venues over this coming week for the consultations.

Tadpole Farm: Crest Nicholsons' Transport Assessment

Crest Nicholson agreed an area of search with Swindon Borough Council and the Highways Agency when assessing the impact of traffic from Tadpole Farm.

Here is the map of that area:

Tadpole Farm: Traffic flow proposals from Crest Nicholson

Here is the map produced by Crest Nicholson to illustrate their proposals for traffic flow from the Tadpole Farm site:

Oakhurst Residents' Association on Facebook

Oakhurst Residents' Association now have their own Facebook page.

Tadpole Farm: Public Meeting 6th April @ Oakhurst School

Oakhurst Residents’ Association will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, 6th April 2011, 7.30pm at Oakhurst Community Primary School.  The meeting will be held at a key point for SBC’s proposed Core Strategy and at the end of the first community consultation with the developers concerning proposed development at Tadpole Farm.  We would like to invite you all to our meeting to represent the concerns/aspirations of Oakhurst and the wider community

Oakhurst Residents' Association - Disclaimer

A disclaimer has now been added to the site.

Key resolution about development passed at North Swindon Cluster Group

On Tuesday, 8 March 2011 members of ORA attended the Connecting People, Connecting Places (CPCP) meeting at North Swindon Library.  On the agenda, among other topics, were SBC’s proposed Core Strategy document and the Tadpole Farm community consultation with the developers.

After a good discussion, a resolution was put to the meeting by the chair of Haydon Wick Parish Council and seconded by ORA – the resolution was that there should be no further development in north Swindon until the promised and future infrastructure is in place such as roads (including the Iffley Road link), community facilities and schools.

Oakhurst and North Swindon residents turn up to support ORA CAMEO

It was great to see existing members as well as some new faces at ORA’s CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) held at Oakhurst Community Primary School last Saturday (5^th March).  We had a busy morning meeting each other, sharing information and listening to community concerns, at the first event of this type which ORA have held since the Association was reformed in November 2010.  ORA committee members were on hand to chat to residents and one of our local councillors dropped in during the morning.

It was really good to be able to talk face–to-face with residents from several areas of North Swindon and to find out how residents are feeling about general community issues, especially our collective concerns about the proposed development at Tadpole Farm.

CAMEO Event Tomorrow at Oakhurst School

This is just a reminder that Oakhurst Residents' Association is organising a CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Event.  This will be tomorrow, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, at the community rooms in Oakhurst Community Primary School.  This will be an 'open' event, so that visitors can drop in at any point during the times mentioned.  

It's an opportunity for ORA members and Oakhurst residents to get to know one another, to catch up on community news and to update everyone about the Tadpole Farm campaign. 

Refreshments will be available for attendees. 

North Swindon once again shortchanged?

Swindon Link magazine has an article here concerning the whereabouts of over £10 million of developers' money that was supposed to be earmarked for North Swindon.

It certainly makes the £700,000 obtained by Abbey Meads Councillors pale in comparison.  Once again, is this a direct result of North Swindon being under-represented on Swindon Borough Council?

North Swindon Cluster Meeting - 6.30 pm, Tuesday 8th March 2011

Please come along to your North Swindon Cluster Meeting at the North Swindon Library.

This is an opportunity to get your voice heard and influence decision making in North Swindon. Your local councillors and agencies working in North Swindon will be in attendance.

Items for discussion will include:

SBC Planners to present plans to Parish Council

From the minutes of the Haydon Wick Parish Council here, we can see that Swindon Borough Planning Officers have asked to give a presentation of the Core Strategy to the Council meeting in April or May.

The Parish Council have resolved to arrange for the for the presentation to take place on Tuesday 19 April 2011 at 7.00pm prior to full Council.

Tadpole Farm Community Consultation

Proposals at Tadpole Farm for approx. 1700 dwellings

Swindon Borough Council’s future Development Plan proposes building at

Tadpole Farm. Local residents and community representatives are invited to

a series of exhibitions displaying the findings of the work carried out to date

by Crest Nicholson. Members of the developer’s team will be available to

listen to your views and to answer questions.

(Dates below)

Blood Donation in North Swindon; Tuesday 8th March 2011

This is just a reminder that Orchid Vale Primary School have scheduled a blood donation session for Tuesday 8th March, between 15:00 and 19:30. 
 To enquire more about the sessions please email orchidvaleblood@gmx.com or visit http://www.blood.co.uk/.

There is also a subsequent session scheduled for Monday 13th June.

Developers and MP reveal their disastrous proposals for Tadpole Farm!

On Friday, 25^th February 2011 a meeting was hosted by the North Swindon MP for the developers and ORA The purpose of the meeting was for ORA to gain a better understanding of the developers’ proposals for Tadpole Farm.

The outcome of the meeting is that ORA are now a lot clearer about the position of our political representatives – with both the MP and the ward councillors appearing, to all intents and purposes, to be batting for the developers against the residents of Oakhurst

ORA Upcoming Events

This post details any upcoming events that the ORA has scheduled, or could be important to the local community.  We aim to keep this as up to date as possible.

Oakhurst Community Primary School Summer Fayre

Saturday 2nd July 11:30 to 14:30.

This is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year; please try and come along to help out this integral part of Oakhurst's Community.

Protestors Clear First Hurdle

Campaigners against the proposed wind turbines at the Honda site have cleared their first hurdle as the Swindon Borough Council Planning Committee voted to defer a decision on the application to build three 120m wind turbines.  This was to allow time for the council planning department to produce a report laying out the legal grounds for refusal of the application.

Further details can be seen in the Swindon Advertiser article at http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/8840380.Wind_is_taken_out_of_turbine_sails/

Parish Council Shares Tadpole Development Concerns

The Haydon End Community Site has highlighted the documented concerns of our Parish Council here .

ORA Membership

So far our membership has grown in a few short months to over 150 individuals, so thank you to everyone who has shown an interest and signed up. 

If you have not joined the ORA, and are thinking of doing so, please continue reading...

ORA Constitution published

The ORA Committee met on Wednesday 9th February to cover a range of issues, one of which was to adopt and sign the Constitution of the Oakhurst Residents' Association.  This has been reproduced below:

No Answer for ORA Question at SBC Full Council Meeting

A group of ORA Members attended the Swindon Borough Full Council meeting on 17th February 2011 to put a question during Public Questions.

First stop was some photographs outside the Civic Offices with our banners to publicise the ORA campaign.

. 

Then it was in to the Council Chamber for Public Questions and a chance ask for answers from our elected representatives.  ORA member Paul Exell asked -

CAMEO Event, Saturday 5th March 2011 at Oakhurst School

Oakhurst Residents' Association is organising a CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Event.  This will be Saturday, 5th March 2011, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, at the community rooms in Oakhurst Community Primary School.  This will be an 'open' event, so that visitors can drop in at any point during the times mentioned.  

It's an opportunity for ORA members and Oakhurst residents to get to know one another, to catch up on community news and to update everyone about the Tadpole Farm campaign. 

Refreshments will be available for attendees. 

Neighbourhood Policing Team Surgery 19th February 2011

The Swindon North NPT will be holding an open surgery for consultation with members of the public on Saturday 19th February 2011, between 12:00 and 13:00, at North Swindon Library.
(Orbital Retail Park, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon)

Oakhurst Residents' Association now on Twitter

You can now follow us on Twitter @WeAreOakhurst.

Oakhurst Shows Its Support For The Association!



ORA were out on the roads of Oakhurst today talking  to residents and discussing the issue of Tadpole Farm.

It was good to talk to more residents face to face and understand the issues they are concerned about. We also provided posters for windows - we even had cars pulling over and asking us if we had extra banners for front gardens!

We gained many new members and received lots of support from passers by - thumbs up and honking horns were very much in evidence!

North Swindon underrepresented; are we an easy target?

The ORA have been campaigning against the development of Tadpole Farm, during which we have been working closely with our Ward Councillors.  But are we disadvantaged in the representation we have on the council?

Swindon Borough Council to remove footbridge

The Haydon End Community Site has reported that SBC plan to demolish a footbridge that crosses the River Ray just south of Oakhurst.  More information can be found on their site here.

(Edit 28/02/2011) It now appears that the Bridge has had a stay of execution.