A statement by the Great Western Community Forest Partnership

From Maurice Fanning, Chair, Great Western Community Forest Partnership

Re: Proposed Site for Swindon Town Football Stadium

In light of the debate on the provision of a new Football Stadium in the Town, I am writing on behalf of the Great Western Community Forest Partnership to set out its concerns for the future of Shaw Forest Park and how the Great Western Community Forest has been involved in its creation.

The Forest Partnership consists of a broad range of organisations including environmental bodies, statutory agencies, community groups and local authorities. The creation of Shaw Forest Park is a key element of the Great Western Community Forest Partnership's 30 year plan for creating a diverse woodland environment in and around Swindon - providing opportunities for people to enjoy the leisure, recreation and health benefits that local woodlands and green spaces bring.

One of the great successes has been the restoration of Shaw Forest Park, which is unique in terms of its location because it is on the doorstep of many Swindon residents ­ bringing the countryside into the town. It is not just available to those living close by in Shaw, Sparcells and Hillmead but is accessible to many more of the town's population within a 30 min. walk.

There has been tremendous involvement, support and enthusiasm from thousands of local people and various local businesses who have helped to create the Forest ­ contributing to a total of 46,000 trees on the site and resulting in the creation of one of the largest woodlands in Swindon. This huge investment in time and effort from local people has been made in the belief that they and future generations would be able to enjoy the benefits of a woodland environment nearby.

Other members of the Community Forest Partnership have also been instrumental in supporting the creation of Shaw Forest Park. The Forestry Commission has supplied grants for planting and establishing trees and both the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and BTCV have supported community tree planting events as well as other projects to enhance and protect the abundant wildlife in the area.

To conclude therefore, we feel the potential impact on Shaw Forest Park, should it be chosen as the site for the new stadium for Swindon Football Club, is causing considerable concern for the Great Western Community Forest Partnership. Not only because of the importance of Shaw Forest Park for the reasons given above, but also because the involvement, support and goodwill of local people is crucial to the continued credibility of the Great Western Community Forest project in it's efforts to create woods for people in and around the town. The Great Western Community Forest Partnership believes that these efforts, achievements and issues should be considered in any discussions about the future of the site.