Latest news with #Highworth


BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Decision over Highworth golf course housing plans to stand
A controversial decision to progress plans for housing on a former golf course will stand, a scrutiny committee has Swindon Borough Council voted to proceed with a feasibility study for 700 homes on the old golf course in Highworth, Wiltshire, in the decision was reexamined by the council's Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday after Conservative councillors used a rare protocol known as a call-in to ask the council to check if proper procedure was leader Jim Robbins told the meeting the project was in the "pre-planning process" stage and a final decision would be made at a later date. The "extraordinary meeting" was called after some opposition councillors cited issues with how the decision to progress the plans to the next stage was made, including that it was not clear whether the cabinet had read the report on the Robbins said it was "simply untrue" to suggest they had not read the papers and "knew nothing about the issue".Closed in 2019, the golf course land has been owned by the council since the resident groups and the town council want the area to officially become a nature park. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, at some points, the meeting became heated, with chairman councillor Dale Heenan warning some members of the public after intemperate councillor Steve Weisinger asked for the decision to be returned to the cabinet, but only after the Build a Greener Swindon policy and performance committee had discussed and produced a detailed report on the ward member Nick Gardiner said the decision was "legally shaky, financially short-sighted and environmentally backwards", saying the loss of green open space would have a negative impact on residents and asked for it to be returned for councillor Kevin Small, the cabinet member responsible for the plan, said "even with 700 houses", around "58 per cent of the site will remain as green open space".Mr Heenan pressed Mr Small to assure the committee that no final decision on houses would be taken before a further report was made to cabinet, Mr Small confirming the cabinet would make the final committee voted to confirm the cabinet's decision with voting falling along party lines.


BBC News
09-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Calls for 'iconic swinging 60s' K8 phone box to return
A fight to bring back an "iconic" piece of a town's history continues two years after a car crash destroyed a Grade II listed K8 phone box. Hailed as an emblem from the "swinging 60s", the loss of Highworth's big, red-panelled box is still felt around the Wiltshire town. Campaigner Tom Sykes has appealed to BT and Swindon Borough Council to reinstall the "landmark". He said: "Preserving all our British heritage, including communication heritage, is really important. If we let something like this go, bit by bit we lose telephone boxes which I think is an important bit of our history to maintain." The phone box was granted Grade II listed status in 2010, before it was destroyed in this, BT said it was left damaged beyond repair and was a risk to public safety. Swindon Borough Council investigated the case and leaders said they were "disappointed" by BT's ruling. However, the authority decided not to pursue it further.A council spokesperson added many of the old boxes are no longer used for the original purpose, but have been adopted by communities and turned into things like libraries, defibrillators and food said that it understands the "value of the kiosk to the community but given the damage caused by the collision, we acted promptly and made a decision based on the safety of the general public". A few decades ago, there was a force of about 11,000 K8s across the UK, but now there are less than Sykes said Highworth's phone box was an iconic landmark and was still working and during the pandemic residents turned it into a library. He is calling on authorities to either repair the K8 or replace it with another one."It's sad. It was always something you could see from our window. It's style was very unique," he added. However, Oli Marshall from The Twentieth Century Society, which campaigns for outstanding buildings, believes the K8 could be salvaged. He said: "Sourcing replacement parts or a whole replacement should be completely possible.""They were an icon of the swinging sixties. They were the last in the line of the great red telephone boxes."They were designed in 1965-66 by architect Bruce Martin, an update of the classic Giles Gilbert Scott K2 and K6 phone boxes."They were a intelligent update. It was designed for a new age. It was easier to repair and maintain and they're just very jolly, fun things that are valuable parts of our national heritage," Mr Marshall added. Mr Marshall added that he is aware councils have "limited resources" and "have to prioritise", but feels that with the help of the society, it is "surely possible" to get something done with BT and the council."They are just as much a part of our national heritage as anything else."The council suggested asking Highworth Town Council if a replacement could be bought using Community Infrastructure Levy funds from new developments.


BBC News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Special Swindon meeting to be held over Higworth golf course plan
An "extraordinary meeting" has been arranged by a council after four councillors decided to use a rare protocol to ask for a re-think on plans for for a former golf land in Highworth, near Swindon, is now used for recreation by locals and has a lot of wildlife, but the Borough Council voted to ask officers to start creating plans for 700 homes on some of the 200 protestors turned up to that meeting as many residents want the council-owned area to officially become a nature planning application has gone in yet, but four Conservative councillors have formally asked for a call-in. They cited issues with how the decision was made, including that it was not clear that cabinet had all read the report on the matter, although Jim Robbins, the Labour leader of the council, said it had been discussed before the Nick Gardiner told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "I'm sure I speak for the majority in Highworth when I say we are not against the growth of the town."But without counting the possibility of 700 houses on beautiful green open space there are a number of development and more in discussion; that could lead to another 800-900 houses coming here, that's about a 25 per cent increase in the size of the town," he added. Mr Robbins has said that the council "understands the passion that some residents of Highworth feel for the Old Golf Course" and the resistance to the added: "We are quite happy for local councillors to use their right to call in the decision, but we are very surprised by the reasons that they have chosen."The decision will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of Swindon Borough Council's Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee at 18:00 BST on 16 July.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in Pictures: A Royal visit to the county
It's been a busy week in Wiltshire including a royal visit, with the Royal Regiment of Artillery playing host to King Charles at its headquarters in Larkhill on Friday. There have been new beginnings in Salisbury, with a diesel locomotive being renamed in honour of the Royal Artillery and the first Canon Historian being installed at the cathedral. A new exhibition has opened at Lacock Abbey, a legal graffiti wall has been praised in Melksham and some rare nocturnal visitors have been spotted in a little-known woodland. Here is our weekly round-up showing life across the county this week. Royal visit: King Charles met soldiers and their families when he visited the Royal Regiment of Artillery HQ in Larkhill. All dressed up: Historian Tom Holland has become the first Canon Historian in an English cathedral He was installed in an Evensong service at Salisbury Cathedral on Monday, alongside Judith Davey Cole, Nigel Salisbury and Lucinda Herklots. Passionate: Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday to lobby Swindon Borough Council and speak up for keeping the former golf course in Highworth as a green space rather than letting it be developed. A rare sight: One of England's rarest species, the Pine Marten, has been discovered living in a protected woodland. The animal was captured by a camera trap in RSPB Franchises Wood, on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border. The wood has been dubbed "the secret forest" due to its location and the fact it is not open to visitors. On show: Lacock Abbey is playing host to an exhibition of previously unseen photographs by the acclaimed photojournalist Werner Bischof. The exhibition began on 31 May and includes images of post-war Cologne and various character studies. Naming ceremony: A diesel locomotive has been rededicated in honour of a branch of the armed forces in a naming ceremony at Salisbury Railway station. The train, named The Royal Artilleryman, has just undergone a major overhaul and was unveiled with military personnel, Royal Artillery Association Members and an Honour Guard all in attendance. Creative outlet: Wiltshire Council say that the legal art wall in Melksham has proved to be a real success. The scheme, set up last September, has resulted in a reduction in vandalism in the town, whilst also offering a creative outlet for local artists. Well deserved: Members of the public have been recognised alongside police officers and staff for their bravery, courage, and dedication in the latest Wiltshire Police Force Awards ceremony. The event took place in Devizes on Wednesday, with awards being given out for public spiritedness, bravery and leadership. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: Shindig and crop circles Wiltshire in pics: Shindigs and a princess visit Wiltshire in Pictures: Stunning Salisbury blooms Wiltshire in Pictures: VE Day and bank holiday sun Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine and school success Wiltshire in Pictures: Flowers and Easter flames Wiltshire in pics: Magical murals and an Easter donkey Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon Wiltshire in pics: cows, Crufts and challenges Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt Wiltshire in Pictures: Romance in the animal world Wiltshire in Pics: Football, floods and remembrance Wiltshire in Pictures: Tunnels, murals and sunrises Wiltshire in Pictures: Toothbrushes, tigers and barges Wiltshire in pictures: animals enjoying the snow Wiltshire in pictures: Cold snap brings frosty scenes Wiltshire in pictures: Presents, bats and meerkats Wiltshire in Pictures: Star Wars and 'Fudgehenge' Wiltshire in Pics: Prince William and Storm Bert Wiltshire in pictures: Remembrance and light shows Wiltshire in pictures: Royal visit and mason's award Wiltshire in pictures: Halloween and sacred stones Wiltshire in pictures: Daleks, bats and pigs Wiltshire in pictures: Welcoming the troops home In pictures: Dragons, cows and Jane Austen Wiltshire in pictures: Culture and murals Wiltshire in pictures: Spinal tattoos to air tattoos Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge Wiltshire in pictures: Silhouettes and bras Wiltshire in pictures: Reunions, sunflowers and maize Wiltshire in pictures: New sports hub and wartime cakes


BBC News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wiltshire in Pictures: King Charles visit and pine marten spotted
It's been a busy week in Wiltshire including a royal visit, with the Royal Regiment of Artillery playing host to King Charles at its headquarters in Larkhill on Friday. There have been new beginnings in Salisbury, with a diesel locomotive being renamed in honour of the Royal Artillery and the first Canon Historian being installed at the cathedral.A new exhibition has opened at Lacock Abbey, a legal graffiti wall has been praised in Melksham and some rare nocturnal visitors have been spotted in a little-known woodland. Here is our weekly round-up showing life across the county this week. Royal visit: King Charles met soldiers and their families when he visited the Royal Regiment of Artillery HQ in Larkhill. All dressed up: Historian Tom Holland has become the first Canon Historian in an English cathedral He was installed in an Evensong service at Salisbury Cathedral on Monday, alongside Judith Davey Cole, Nigel Salisbury and Lucinda Herklots. Passionate: Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday to lobby Swindon Borough Council and speak up for keeping the former golf course in Highworth as a green space rather than letting it be developed. A rare sight: One of England's rarest species, the Pine Marten, has been discovered living in a protected woodland. The animal was captured by a camera trap in RSPB Franchises Wood, on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border. The wood has been dubbed "the secret forest" due to its location and the fact it is not open to visitors. On show: Lacock Abbey is playing host to an exhibition of previously unseen photographs by the acclaimed photojournalist Werner Bischof. The exhibition began on 31 May and includes images of post-war Cologne and various character studies. Naming ceremony: A diesel locomotive has been rededicated in honour of a branch of the armed forces in a naming ceremony at Salisbury Railway station. The train, named The Royal Artilleryman, has just undergone a major overhaul and was unveiled with military personnel, Royal Artillery Association Members and an Honour Guard all in attendance. Creative outlet: Wiltshire Council say that the legal art wall in Melksham has proved to be a real success. The scheme, set up last September, has resulted in a reduction in vandalism in the town, whilst also offering a creative outlet for local artists. Well deserved: Members of the public have been recognised alongside police officers and staff for their bravery, courage, and dedication in the latest Wiltshire Police Force Awards ceremony. The event took place in Devizes on Wednesday, with awards being given out for public spiritedness, bravery and leadership.