1. First can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 44 married with two children aged 9 and 6 – I moved to Swindon 20 odd years ago after a career in property and banking. I have spent the past 20 years in IT, and am presently working with a small company in the security and safety field.
2. How did you become the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Strategic Planning, Property and Transport?
I became the cabinet member for Sustainability, Strategic planning, property and transport because I was asked by the Leader of the council to represent these areas as I have a very diverse range of interests, including sustainable development and transport safety systems. In the past few years I have been involved in looking at the utilisation of sustainable technologies such as Solar thermal and Photovoltaic systems in large scale developments as well as advanced multilayer films as insulation. I developed a keen interest in transport systems and methodology during my research into the effectiveness of speed cameras and other safety measures.
3. When can we expect to see the College demolished and when will work start on the new development?
With regard to the college site, I would hope we would see demolition and work beginning on the new development before the year is out. I appreciate this has been a long time coming but as the council does not own the site, we are beholden on the developers to deliver the improvements I believe we all are looking for.
4. What changes can we expect around the site, and in particular in the Back Garden?
The new development should provide a wide range of quality restaurant/food outlets complimentary to a multi-screen cinema and new supermarket as well as improved public space linking the site to Regent Street over a modified Regent Circus.
5. Who will monitor the impact of the building work on nearby residents?
Whilst the work is underway, there will be some disruption as the demolition and then the new buildings will generate a certain amount of construction traffic although this will primarily be on the major routes and we would seek to ensure there is minimal disruption to the Back Garden area and surrounding streets. Should any of the residents have concerns, please let me know and we will try to ensure all concerns are raised with the developers and resolved as quickly as possible.
6. How will construction traffic be kept out of the Back Garden?
As part of the planning process I specifically asked for money to be allocated to resolve some of the existing problems in the Back Garden area especially HGV’s using residential roads rather than the main routes.
8. Residents have concerns over existing traffic use and residents parking in the Back Garden, when will these be resolved?
Once the development is underway, we will try to work with local residents to tackle some of these issues. I have also had a meeting with local councillors to discuss some of the residents parking issues and hope to be able to present some proposals in the very near future.
Thank you Peter
Swindon Back Garden 