Jefferies Land Conservation Trust
PRESS RELEASE
3 December 2005
Trust publish their vision for Jefferies Land at Coate and a history of the area
The Jefferies Land Conservation Trust has published two pamphlets that provide a guide to the literary and historic interest in land at Coate and their vision for an alternative use of this special area.
The first pamphlet entitled Coate and Richard Jefferies was written by a local historian. John Chandler, who lives near Salisbury, examines the links between the Victorian author Richard Jefferies and the land where Jefferies was born and raised at Coate. The report discusses this area in the context of the life and career of Jefferies, its topography and character during the period of his acquaintance with it, and major references to the area in his works. It concludes with an assessment of Jefferies as a topographical writer, as formed by literary opinion since his death, and considers the importance of the Coate area in his works.
The second pamphlet An alternative use for Jefferies Land forms the basis of the Trust’s vision [1] for the area. It looks at the recent history and how the existing fields and buildings could be put to best use for the future economic, educational, social and environmental well-being of Swindon and its residents.
Jean Saunders, Secretary of the Trust said:
“We are delighted to make these pamphlets available to the public who might not be well acquainted with the special qualities of the area. At the same time, we want to ensure that the greatest assets are protected and enhanced in order that future generations of Swindonians can derive as much pleasure from them as their ancestors.”
The pamphlets can be obtained by sending postage stamps to the value of £1 to Pear Tree Cottage, Longcot, SN7 7SS. Copies can be picked up on Saturday 10th December at 1pm at the Community Crossroads, the former railway museum in Faringdon Road, where the Trust will be holding a special meeting.
For more information contact Jean Saunders on 01793 783040
-ENDS-
Editor’s notes
[1] The main elements of the Trust’s Vision are to:
§ maintain the landscape setting of Coate Water in the countryside; to preserve the adjoining Jefferies land as an ideal place for "rambles" to see the links to Jefferies' writing; and .... just simply a "place" to relax and enjoy.
§ enhance the biodiversity of the Site of Special Scientific Interest and the nature reserves at Coate Water, Day House Copse and Burderop Wood North. Extensive new habitats and wildlife corridors would be created, stressing the ecological value of streams, trees and hedges, etc.
§ provide a centre to study and appreciate literary landscapes as an inspiration to UK writers; the history of British nature writing; and to include a special focus on Richard Jefferies' key role in this evolution ;
§ demonstrate and study traditional crafts and environmentally sensitive alternatives that reduce man’s impact on the land, including managing land organically as an educational tool and for local food production;
§ feature the archaeological qualities of the area dating back about 3000 years and the links to others at Liddington Hill and Barbury Castle;
§ provide educational opportunities for local children linking in with local schools and community groups
1 comment:
What I did tell Jamie Hill was that the University of Bath would have to withdraw their current planning application as all the main campus buildings would fall within the area that the Inspector advised against developing. The Inpector didn't specify the size of a buffer, but advised Swindon Borough Council to accept English Nature's minimum buffer - up to 250m in places. To protect the landscape value of key views out of Coate Water to the east, that the Inspector said should be kept as open views, this would also require a buffer of about 200-250m.
Jean
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Swindon Advertiser
Date Published: Friday 09 December 2005
Visions of the future
by Jamie Hill
THERE is a vision of Swindon that will see the town transformed into an academic paradise.
It's one where students will rub shoulders with long-time residents of the town in cafes and pubs.
And businesses will see that Swindon is a seat of learning and come flocking to the town to grab a piece of the action.
This is the University of Bath in Swindon's utopian aim and it says it will only happen if the campus is built on controversial rural land at Coate next to the water park
Last week, the Government's planning inspector gave the plans a massive push in that direction by stating that Coate is the only place in the town where the university could be built.
And now Peter Reader, the director of communications at the university, has outlined how the institution can bring only good to the town.
For campaigners, the planning inspector's decision was a blow as they don't want the land built on at all.
Mr Reader said: "I have read the report thoroughly and I have to say he has made a very good independent assessment of the planning needs of Swindon.
"He has highlighted that Coate is the only area that would be able to sustain a university in the Swindon area.
"The town centre simply does not have enough space for the development and it would seriously put in doubt any plans for its regeneration if the university had to be squeezed in."
The planning inspector also stated that the university plans would have to do as much as possible to protect the local environment, including a rural buffer between the development and Coate Water Country Park.
The current plans, which have already been submitted to the council, see the university development in the exact place where a rural buffer would have to be.
"Over the next few weeks we will be putting the planning inspector's report under a microscope to decide whether new plans would need to be submitted or just amended," added Mr Reader.
"One thing I would like to clear up is that, unlike what Save Coate campaigner Jean Saunders claims, the rural buffer has not been defined as 250 metres, but has been left open by the planning inspector.
"The university plans have always had the intention of protecting the environment it is in, as that is to the benefit of everyone.
"The planning inspector also detailed how the buildings themselves should not visually impair the skyline vertically and that certain views from Coate Water should be protected such as the one to Liddington Hill."
The current plans include a campus for 8,000 students, a primary school with extensive playing fields, 1,800 new homes and a business park.
The plans have been submitted by the Gateway Partnership, which comprises the University of Bath in Swindon, Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes.
An arts faculty is planned for the town centre.
The council has already stated that if the university does not end up going ahead because it cannot find the financial backing or for other reasons the planned 1,800 homes would not be given permission.
Mr Reader said: "One thing in the report that I found interesting is how the planning inspector thought that a university would be essential for the future of Swindon.
"He even used the term that it would help to `rebrand' the town.
"Wiltshire is now the only county in the south west without a university.
"Every town or city with a university has benefited substantially from increased investment by businesses who are attracted because it has a seat of learning.
"It can only bring good to the town.
"The money to build a university would be raised by investment, philanthropic donations, and from the Government.
"It would be impossible to say exactly how much it will cost as with ever-changing curriculums there are ever-changing costs.
"We still aspire to start building it in 2008 but it is still very early days."
This is how protesters view it ...
A CAMPAIGN group fighting the development at Coate for a university campus has published its own vision for the land.
The Jefferies Land Conservation Trust has published two pamphlets which provide a guide to the literary and historic interest in land at Coate and its idea for an alternative use of this area.
The pamphlet, entitled An Alternative Use for Jefferies Land, forms the basis of the trust's vision for the area.
It looks at the recent history and how the existing fields and buildings could be put to best use for the future economic, educational, social and environmental well-being of Swindon and its residents.
The other pamphlet entitled Coate and Richard Jefferies was written by historian John Chandler, who lives near Salisbury.
It examines the links between the Victorian author Richard Jefferies and the land where Jefferies was born and raised at Coate.
The report discusses this area in the context of the life and career of Jefferies, its topography and character during the period of his acquaintance with it, and major references to the area in his works.
It concludes with an assessment of Jefferies as a topographical writer, as formed by literary opinion since his death, and considers the importance of the Coate area in his works.
Jean Saunders, secretary of the trust, said: "We are delighted to make these pamphlets available to the public who might not be well acquainted with the special qualities of the area.
"At the same time, we want to ensure that the greatest assets are protected and enhanced in order that future generations of Swindonians can derive as much pleasure from them as their ancestors."
The pamphlets can be obtained by sending postage stamps to the value of £1 to Pear Tree Cottage, Longcot, SN7 7SS.
Copies can be picked up on Saturday December 10 at 1pm at the Community Crossroads, the former railway museum in Faringdon Road, where the Trust will be holding a special meeting.
For more information contact Jean on 01793 783040
Main points of the plan
* Maintain the landscape setting of Coate Water in the countryside; to preserve the adjoining Jefferies land as an ideal place for rambles to see the links to Jefferies' writing; and . . . just simply a place to relax and enjoy.
* Enhance the bio-diversity of the Site of Special Scientific Interest and the nature reserves at Coate Water, Day House Copse and Burderop Wood North. Extensive new habitats and wildlife corridors would be created, stressing the ecological value of streams, trees and hedges, etc.
* Provide a centre to study and appreciate literary landscapes as an inspiration to UK writers; the history of British nature writing; and to include a special focus on Richard Jefferies' key role in this evolution.
* Demonstrate and study traditional crafts and environmentally sensitive alternatives that reduce man's impact on the land, including managing land organically as an educational tool and for local food production.
* Feature the archaeological qualities of the area dating back about 3000 years and the links to others at Liddington Hill and Barbury Castle.
* Provide educational opportunities for local children linking in with local schools and community groups
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