At a primary school place consultation event at Oakhurst Community Primary School on 21st February one of the local councillors has stated her intention to build a school on the Special Site of Scientific Interest, Clifford Meadow, in Oakhurst. This field has protected status because of the rare orchids that proliferate in the never-ploughed ridges and furrows left untouched since Medieval times.
The councillor has consulted with the solicitor and she believes that the protected status of the field runs out in about 18 months time. In the councillor's opinion it would then become an ideal site for a primary school and houses. The whole field might as well be built on to complete the development.
The same councillor also suggested that a road should be built from another one of her preferred school locations, at Mouldon Hill Country Park, straight to Oakhurst Way. When questioned by residents about how this road would cross the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Line and bypass existing houses they received no reply.
Perhaps this mile long link road will cost as much as the long promised Northern Bypass, also a mile long, from Thamesdown Drive to the Great Western Way. This is currently estimated, by the local councillors' colleagues, to cost about £110 million.
Residents were expressing dismay that the Tadpole Farm site, one that they believe will provide primary school places for Oakhurst children, is not the priority.
