A decision on plans for 11 homes in Berricott Lane, Badbury was reversed after villagers threatened legal action A decision by the borough council’s planning committee to approve a development of 11 houses in the tiny village of Badbury was reversed after the threat of legal action by neighbours. In December, the committee endorsed the scheme by Bower Mapson Homes to build the small estate on the edge of the village to the east of Chiseldon, despite opposition by residents and a recommendation by planning officers to turn it down. But the matter was brought back to committee by the planning department because the previous decision did not give clear enough reasons to go against the officers’ advice.
Chiseldon and Lawn The election this year in Chiseldon & Lawn is a by-election, caused by the death of sitting councillor and deputy mayor of Swindon Brian Mattock. Coun Mattock was elected for his seat in 2018 and the four-year term runs out next year, so the winning candidate in this ward in May will only serve for a year before having to stand for election again. Although polls last year were delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, future elections will be held according to the original cycle, rather than moving everything on a year. Chiseldon & Lawn is a ‘sister’ ward to next door Ridgeway.
AN ambitious plan to revamp the Health Hydro could move a step closer to reality when chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils his Budget today.
Swindon Borough Council has bid for £25m of Towns Fund money from the government – and would spend a fifth of that at the Milton Road facility. The refurbishment of the 19th century Grade II -listed Health Hydro would include re-opening the small pool. Cabinet member for the town centre, heritage and culture Dale Heenan told members of the resources and corporate committee he was hoping for good news today. Coun Heenan said: “We had hoped to hear in December last year about our bid for money from the Towns Fund – but the government was busy with the increasing rates of Covid-19 and that announcement was delayed. We are hoping we will hear as part of the Budget speech.”
Arguments over the Oasis leisure centre dominated the debate over Swindon Borough Council’s budget for next year. But despite Liberal Democrat and Independent Tory support for a Labour proposal to guarantee £5m for the Oasis, and the ruling Conservative group having one councillor missing and one who initially voted the wrong way, the Conservative majority won and the administration’s budget was adopted. It will see a general fund of £153m for day-to-day spending over the next financial year, largely funded by council tax which will go up by 4.99 per cent. Nearly three per cent of the increase will be ringfenced to pay for adult social care.