Concerns Raised Over New Tower Blocks in Swindon
There are worries they don't come with enough green space
Two huge tower blocks of flats proposed for the very centre of Swindon don’t come with enough open space, says one concerned resident.
Josie Lewis says the proposal put forward by the owners of the Brunel Centre, FI Real estate management, to use some of the centre’s footprint at Wharf Green as the bottom of a 24-storey tower and a sister 20-storey block will not provide enough recreation space in an area where it is already in short supply.
And she says that’s contrary to Swindon Borough Council’s own planning rules.
The towers, if built as planned will contain 290 one and two-bedroom flats, creating homes for up to 600 or 700 people.
Ms Lewis said: In the Swindon Borough Council Local Plan 2019-2036 there must be 1,8 hectares of public open space per 1,000 of population, and open space is required per every 20 houses. This is a legal requirement.
“The last public open space audits in 2011 and 2014 show there is already a deficit of open space in the town centre and Eastcott wards.”
Ms Lewis says that the proposals for rooftop gardens and a pocket park at the base of one of the towers in Farnsby Street are not sufficient to qualify as open space.
There are different specifications of public open space in planning rules – such as children’s play areas, sports and football fields, an open recreation ground, allotments and leisure gardens [arks and major open spaces like Coate Water.
Ms Lewis said: “There are guidelines about the distance each should be from a new development – for example a children’s play area might be set for five minutes’ walk, with larger spots facilities 20 minutes away.”
Without increased provision, Ms Lewis said: “The development should not go ahead without increasing the amount of open space. There is nowhere in the town centre to increase the open space that the public can access.”
Recently the LDR reported that FI REM are helping some of its tenants in the northern half of the Brunel Centre to find alternative accommodation nearby in anticipation of permission and working beginning on the residential proposals.
The company declined to respond to Ms Lewis’ comments.
Swindon Borough Council does not comment on ongoing planning applications.