Highworth Conservative Councillors are pressing for the old golf course to be designated as a Country Park, calling on the Labour-run Swindon Council to protect the open space from future development.
More than 260 days have passed since the Conservatives initially urged Swindon Council to grant Highworth Town Council a long lease, securing the area as Swindon’s sixth Country Park. Despite repeated attempts to collaborate with Labour, the Conservatives report no progress or communication over the past eight months.
Nick, a Conservative Councillor, expressed frustration: “More than 260 days have passed since the Conservatives called on the Labour-run Swindon Council to provide Highworth Town Council with a long lease and protect the open space from future development by designating it as Swindon’s sixth Country Park. Despite repeated efforts by the Conservatives to work with Swindon Labour to find a cross-party solution, there has been no willingness to work together for the benefit of local residents. In the last eight months, there has been no contact. This is a disgraceful way to run a Council. At Cabinet next week, Labour Councillors will be discussing the future of the site and have excluded the Highworth elected representatives. Our door remains open.”
Vijay, another Conservative Councillor, highlighted the environmental importance of the site: “Labour have had eight months to look at this important local issue and to discuss our proposal to ensure that the Golf Course site is designated as a park to preserve it as undeveloped, open, and accessible green space for future generations of Highworth and the wider Borough. A number of species of conservation importance have been noted, including water voles, hares, badgers, bats, frogs, and an abundance of different species of birds, butterflies, and insects. This land needs our protection. If any discussions are taking place, then they are happening in secret behind closed doors. This is not how anyone should be running a town.”
Steve, also from the Conservative camp, expressed concerns about potential overdevelopment: “The Labour Cabinet have pledged to build 20,000 more homes across the Borough, and a Council Director has already confirmed in a public meeting that Highworth and Wroughton will be areas of expansion. The new Labour Government is reimposing national targets, so the 20,000 is likely to increase to more than 30,000. We have made it clear right from the start of this long-standing campaign for the future of the former Highworth Golf Course that we want to see it designated as a Country Park. A long-term lease on the land with the Town Council is the only way forward. If Labour agree, fantastic, but why the secrecy?”
He continued: “In light of the Labour Government’s new designation, will the Labour Group now class this site as ‘Grey Land’ or ‘the ugly green belt’? It certainly isn’t that to anyone who lives here.”
Council Leader Jim Robbins responded, stating: “The Conservative Councillors have not reached out and asked for a meeting on this issue. Highworth Town Council did ask for a meeting, and I met with them yesterday to update them on our response to the motion. I’m happy to set up a briefing for the Councillors now that they have raised the issue, and would remind them that they can just ask me at any point, but I understand the political point that they wanted to raise in the press.
The Labour Group understands the strength of feeling on the issue of the Old Golf course and is committed to finding a way forward that delivers green open space for the town.”
The debate over the future of the old golf course remains active, with both parties expressing a desire to preserve the area as open green space, though differing in their approaches and communication efforts.
