Save Lower Shaw Farm

As readers of this Blog will know I've already mentioned Lower Shaw Farm near Swindon and written to try and keep it open. It is still under threat of closure - it would be very bad news to loose it's educational activities that it provides especially for children. We really cannot put a price on the importance of the unique experiences offered by Lower Shaw Farm.

Tomorrow councillors vote on a motion to try and save it. Conservatives who run the Council have given indications that they may well block this move. Watch the video about Lower Shaw Farm here. Read more about their activities here. And please send a line to the email addresses below expressing your view:

The Leader of Swindon Borough Council Councillor Rod Bluh - rbluh@swindon.gov.uk
The Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council Gavin Jones - gjones@swindon.gov.uk
Councillor Nick Martin - nick@nickmartinconservative.co.uk
Please copy your messages to SwindonLink:
publisher@swindonlink.com

LATEST NEWS: 22/11/06: AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL AND TRUSTEES OF LOWER SHAW FARM

An agreement has been reached in principle between Swindon Borough Council and the trustees of Lower Shaw Farm, which it is intended will secure both the future of the activities at the farm, and allow the Council to realise some needed capital from the site. In addition, the Trustees have today signed a 12 month lease, with a possible extension to 15 months, to remain at the farm until negotiations and plans have been completed and agreed.

Today’s agreement will mean the council will seek to use some of the existing Lower Shaw Farm land for high-quality sustainable homes. Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr Roderick Bluh says: “Throughout the public debate about the future of Lower Shaw Farm we have been involved in constructive talks with Matt Holland, and I am pleased that we have been able to reach a positive agreement which is acceptable to both parties. What we now have is an agreement which will allow us to get better value from the site, and will allow the valuable work which goes on at Lower Shaw to continue.”

Farm Trustee Matt Holland says: “Through listening to one another, understanding one another's position, plus reasoned, imaginative, and informed discussion between them, the Council and the farm’s trustees have been able to agree a solution which achieves positive results all round. We hope it will offer an exciting opportunity to create an environmentally- friendly development which complements the work we do at the farm.”