The vital case for Highworth’s Nature Park
Taken from the Swindon Borough Council website (swindon.gov.uk), the Borough has
11 major country parks within or on the edge of Swindon. None are in Highworth
despite it being one of the Borough’s largest towns/parishes.
For Swindon town residents, virtually all parks can be visited on foot or by cycle path (with the exception of those living in outlying areas).
However, Highworth residents must use a car or bus to enjoy any of these parks.
Highworth has no cycle paths and is not connected to Swindon by a cycle path.
Borough Parks by Quadrant
This diagram clearly shows that the North East (Highworth) needs its own country /
nature park.
Borough Park Locations and Growth
The planned large northern, eastern and Highworth developments are shown in red.
The large growth in housing is focused within the Borough's East, North East and
North sectors, such as Highworth, Blunsdon, Eastern Villages, Kingsdown, Tadpole
Village and more, i.e. a significant portion of the North Swindon constituency.
As you can see from the map, there is already a shortage of parkland in these areas
compared to other parts of Swindon. This, therefore, is where the greatest amount of
parkland will be needed in the coming years.
Highworth Town Council (HTC), aided by the Action Group, has a fully costed plan for
their own nature park without funding from SBC. Without this, the growing number of
Highworth residents will need to drive to get into nature. This is not acceptable.
