What do you like about South Marston?

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2 What do you like about South Marston? What you have said so far: Strong and separate identity, distinct from Swindon Village character (Church, School, Green and Hall) Surrounding working countryside and landscape views contributing to the rural character Accessible countryside for recreation Sense of community (size and abililty to self manage) Proximity to other settlements for jobs, services and facilities Images (left to right): Strong visual connections with the surrounding landscape; the historic community assets of South Marston Primary School and St Mary s Church; and the recreational benefits of an accessible countryside contributing to the rural village character.

3 What do you think needs to be improved? What you have said so far: Approaches and gateways to the village (brownfield and employment sites) Management of traffic (speed, safety and volume) Improved pedestrain connections offering safe routes around the village Community facilities (offer, size and quality) Village boundaries (maintained and strengthened) Better management of flood risk Car parking Images (left to right): Traffic pressure points ( Pound Corner ); the exposed employment sites at village gateways; impact of traffic management schemes on village character; and the disconnected network of public rights of way.

4 Do you have any concerns regarding growth? What you have said so far: Relationship with Swindon Coalesence with other settlements Impact of expanding the current village centre and loss of open space Impact on green areas, archaeology and heritage Impact on village character (views, rural feel, managable community size) Pressure on existing infrastructure (roads, utilities and community facilities such as the school) Increased risk of flooding Images (left to right): Employment expansion east of Swindon in close proximity to the village; the character feature of farmsteads set in the countryside south of the village; the recreation ground adjoining the village centre; and the risk of flooding as proven in 2007.

5 Key challenges Developing sustainable growth, however large or small, will need to address a number of key issues, including: The location, offer and size of the village centre The management of traffic accessing and passing through the village The location of new homes, ensuring the village facilities are accessible for all by means other than the car The viability of any new services and the amount of investment available The type and layout of new homes, ensuring they are well connected and respect village character Working with the natural environment to manage flood risk and potentially create opportunities for countryside recreation The relationship with the surrounding countryside, ensuring a defendable boundary and positive frontage for the village Images (left to right): Community facilities must be accessible for all by means other than the car; and the village should define a positive frontage to an accessible surrounding countryside.

6 Can growth deliver benefits for South Marston? More housing will bring better local services and facilities. The more development there is, the more viable services become and the more investment will be available to create new facilities. How much development will deliver what kind of services? Which are most important for you? Low scale Medium scale High scale Public Transport Existing + community transport More frequent More frequent & more destinations Traffic Small modifications to slow traffic Some alternative routes to existing roads Sport & recreation Improved quality of existing facilities Extended facilities of better quality Dispersed traffic to relieve existing roads New facilities and location, wider variety Shops Unlikely to be viable Community shop for essential goods Commercial retail outlet School No change to existing facilities Better facilities, shared with community Community buildings Hall with basic facilities New hall, additional facilities Children and young people More viable youth clubs and provision for the under 5s Better quality facilities and activities Older people Existing activities more viable More activities and services Green space Health and personal care Protection of village boundaries Confined to new developments Community transport to access services Through existing planning system More integrated with existing; village centre designed around open space Outreach services (baby clinic, chiropody, prescriptions) Land transferred to Community Forest Employment Protect existing jobs and businesses Enhance existing businesses New building, wider range of facilities New hall, indoor sports, multiple facilities Wider range of facilities and activities Wider range of dedicated facilities and services Redesigned centre and open spaces Branch surgery Land transferred to the community Provide new local jobs and businesses

7 Constraints and Opportunities The SPD process should help to identify the most sustainable options for village growth Village Green Important hedgerow Public rights of way 110 Flooding Zone 2 (medium probability) Zone 3a (high probablilty) Zone 3b (functional floodplain) Watercourse centreline 105 Ponds Archaeology protected area Potential areas of archaeology 100 Turf farm Copse Arable land Pasture/ paddock 5 Woodland m ? 0m 100m 500m Above: Key physical considerations for the existing village with a 500m walking circle focus on the current village centre. The SPD process must consider the future role, function and location of the village centre and the appropriate focus area of search for new growth