We believe that development of the Coate area will have a devastating impact on wildlife at Coate Water nature reserve. It would desecrate an area that has strong historic, literary and recreational attractions and destroy the last remaining pocket of unspoilt countryside close to Swindon. Coate Water Site of Special Scientific Interest contributes to the very best of the rich variety and abundance of wildlife that makes England's nature special and distinct from any other country in the world........We demand that a one kilometre buffer of land is left undeveloped next to Coate Water.......We call upon Swindon Borough Council to say NO to development at Coate...........Please sign the petition!.............
Over 50, 000 people have now supported the petition.
The Swindon Gateway Partnership (Redrow Homes and Persimmon Homes) has forced a planning inquiry that starts in Swindon on 10 February 2009 to decide the fate of their planning application for 1800 dwellings, a university campus and a large "employment" zone at Coate/Badbury Wick.
Since March 2007, when the University of Bath pulled out of the plans, closely followed by the Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust, the housing companies have tried to attract another university that might take up land for a campus next to Coate Water nature reserve. No university has come forward, making the planning application inappropriate.
KEEP COATE WATER A COUNTRY PARK!
WATCH THIS SPACE!
Please sign the petition online or click on the links below to learn more.
Save Coate is a coalition of concerned individuals and is supported by the following organisations in and around Swindon: Friends of the Earth, Alliance of Literary Societies, Animal Concern, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Coate Residents Group, Green Party, Greenpeace, Liberal Democrats, Socialist Alliance, Civic Trust, Trade Union Council, Chiseldon Parish Council, Front Garden Action Group, Liddington Parish Council, New Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust, Old Town Group, The Ramblers Association, Richard Jefferies Society, Jefferies Land Conservation Trust, Socialist Party, Swindon Forest Protection Group and the Wiltshire Badger Group.
Latest news from the Save Coate! campaign blog
Important information from the Jefferies Land Conservation Trust