Swimbridge Parklands Committee (also known as SNAP) has 16 members (including 3 young people) representing various village community groups. SNAP began life as a sub committee of the Parish Council but is now a registered charity in its own right. SNAP's aim, in a nutshell, is to acquire land in Swimbridge for the benefit of the community. Ideally this land would be recreational space (including a playground, football pitch & cricket pitch), plus parkland.
Pearce Construction have submitted an application (number 45152) to build around 16 houses on the Glebe Field (adjacent to the village hall). The application is subject to a condition that public open space be provided for the village by the developer. At the Planning Committee meeting on 12 Nov 2008, committee members expressed concern that Pearce Construction's proposals breached the permitted development boundary (the line set out in the Local Plan, beyond which no building can take place) and so encroached on the land available for recreation. SNAP had objected to the application on that basis. However, rather than refusing the application, the Planning Committee's decision was deferred, to give Pearce Construction an opportunity to redraw their plans. On 21 April 2009 a meeting took place with representatives from Pearce Construction, the Parish Council, the District Council, SNAP and planning officers. At that meeting Pearce Construction agreed to resubmit their application, keeping within the permitted development boundary. Affordable housing and drainage issues are also likely to be amended. The plans should be resubmitted in the next couple of months.
If Pearce Construction's application is eventually approved, SNAP would apply for grants to develop the land (ie installing play equipment, pitches, fences, pathways, drainage etc). SNAP's charitable status means we can apply for grants which are not always available to public bodies. In 2002 the cost of such works was estimated at around £150k and would now probably be significantly higher. If Pearce Construction's application is not approved, SNAP will continue to work to obtain recreational space for the village, either at the Glebe Field or elsewhere.
SNAP has recently approached the Parish Council to suggest that whatever happens with Pearce Construction's application, both bodies should work together to seek to obtain a park for the village. The Parish Council agreed that this was a sensible proposal.
If anyone would like copies of SNAP's minutes or letters to the District Council regarding Pearce Construction's application, please do not hesitate to contact Julie Whitton on 830311.
If any other queries concerning SNAP, please contact Judith Thompson, Chair of SNAP, on 830006
