Campus Green Belt Row

BY AMY WILSON AND SAMANTHA WALKER-SOWDEN

14 January 2004

The University of Bath is facing a second green belt battle - this time over plans for Swindon. Leaders want to build a £200m campus to house 10,000 students at Coate Water, a designated area of special scientific interest.

They say it would benefit both the university and the area itself.

But the move has caused controversy because of the sensitive nature of the site.

Now, university vice-chancellor Glynis Breakwell has said that if they cannot get permission to build in the area, the campus will not be built at all.

This approach has led to criticism from the environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth, which claims the university is resorting to bullying.

Prof Breakwell says that the Coate Water location is vital if the campus is to become a world leader in pushing back the frontiers of science.

She claims the university must be in the same location as the Great Western Hospital so leaders can develop world-class teaching and research in Swindon.

The university wants lecturers, researchers, students and staff at the hospital to be able to work closely together.

And Prof Breakwell claims the plans could be beneficial to the Coate Water area, which is renowned for its beauty and its scientific importance.

"The University of Bath has an excellent reputation for sustainable and environmental experience, and by bringing our expertise to the Coate area, we would enhance its future," she said.

But Swindon Friends of the Earth campaign co-ordinator, Jean Saunders, is not convinced.

A website has been set up, www.savecoate.org.uk and opposition to the development is said to be running high.

Mrs Saunders claims there is no public support for the university plans and has accused Prof Breakwell of being oblivious to the strength of feeling about the area.

She says the plans should be scrapped immediately and has warned that blackmail will not work, particularly since the Coate area has been protected from further development.

The plans for Swindon are not the only ones to cause controversy - university leaders are also embroiled in a similar row in Bath over proposals, which could lead to building on 29 acres of green belt land at Claverton Down.

The National Trust is against the plans and says the area includes a variety of important habitats with limestone grassland and meadows, and is home to the Bath asparagus and greater horseshoe bats.

Many local residents are also against the development.