Vote for Coate! (Swindon Liberal Democrats)

Swindon Liberal Democrats <info@swindonlibdems.org>

Vote for Coate!

April 23, 2005 10:26 AM

Sue Stebbing at Coate Water examining the development plans for the area

Sue Stebbing, the Liberal Democrat challenger to be the next MP for South Swindon has warned that plans to develop around Coate Water risk damaging Swindon's health as well as its most loved piece of countryside.

Dr Stebbing said:

"It is most unfortunate that the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust has joined the consortium to build up to Coate Water. The hospital stands to gain only a very small space for expansion and doubtless that space has already been earmarked.

"It is foolhardy to throw away the one benefit of siting the hospital at Coate - which was to allow it room to expand. One of the problems identified with the Princess Margaret Hospital was that there was no room to grow and in a few short years we could find ourselves in the same position again. The hospital was supposed to be a 'one off' development on this site and there is no justification for building anything not directly related to the hospital."

Dr Stebbing has just attended the Local Plan Enquiry to hear some of the environmental evidence against further major development at Coate. She also heard that the University had originally been considering a town centre site until Coate had been suggested as an alternative.

Dr Stebbing, who recently raised the proposed development as a matter of public concern on ITV West's 'Sunday Roast', commented:

"Liberal Democrats have been consistent in their opposition to the plans to build 1800 houses, a business park and a University of Bath campus at Coate, while both Conservative and Labour councillors have supported the proposals.

"How is it that candidates from parties supporting the destruction at Coate are able to support the Save Coate Campaign? At best this shows that the parties are split - at worst it is a cynical ploy allowing the parties to look both ways at the same time."