Background.
The Front Garden Action Group (FRAG) was formed
in June 1997 by residents of Swindon when it was
heard that there was an intention by developers
and the Council to build houses on the stretch of
land known as the "Front Garden"
(a 2 mile by half mile area between Junctions 15
and 16 of the M4, also often called "the
lungs" of Swindon)
General.
FRAG held its first public meeting on 9 September
1997, attended by over 200 people, and support
has been growing ever since. Several public
meetings and marches have been held since, and a
petition with several thousand signatures has
been delivered to the Council.
Objections.
The Front Garden Action Group have listed over 20 practical
objections to
development on the Front Garden, as shown
attached, and intend to intensify the fight
against development until the proposal is
withdrawn.
It is argued that the Front Garden is a stupid,
illogical, and unhealthy place on which to site.
houses, and that in any case the quantity of
houses proposed for Swindon up to 2011 is
unnecessarily high.
The fight against housing development includes a
letter to Mr Prescott which will be sent in early
November, a letter to Councillors appealing for
them to vote against housing development on the
Front Garden when the subject is debated in full
Council on the 23rd November, a legal appeal
against the seriously flawed SBC Technical
Appraisal, and a proposal to establish a New
Country Park on the Front Garden.
Public Views.
Many thousands of Swindonians objected to the
Councils proposals during the public consultation
period in 1998 and so far the Council have
cynically disregarded these opinions
Future Events.
The next public event is a mass walk along the
old railway path on Sunday 19th November,
culminating in a rally at the old Rushy Platt
sidings at 3 P.M. Watch out for details in the
media. This walk precedes the Council meeting of
the 23rd and we want as many supporters as
possibler to join in, to show the strength of
public opinion.
Information.
A car! window sticker saying "Hands off
Swindon's Front Garden" is available free to
anyone who wants one.
If you would like more information, or would like
to register as a supporter, please ring Swindon
487154.
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