Prime Ministers green advisor says don't concrete the park

Tony Blair's environment guru Sir Jonathon Porritt called on Swindon councillors to consider their legacy to the town when they discuss the future of Shaw Forest Country Park.

Visiting the site at the invitation of the Swindon Forest Protection Group on 14 May he said that Swindon Borough Council is creating something of national significance at the 100 acre former landfill site and he was worried that a policy u-turn to allow redevelopment for sports facilities would set a worrying precedent. "I don't know how many people in Swindon realise the country park exists but a large woodland and open space close to a town centre is both unusual and very special."

Sir Jonathon chairs the independent Sustainable Development Commission and has the ear of the Prime Minister, though that did not stop him publishing a highly critical report of the Government's environmental aspirations in late April. He is also a member of the South West Regional Development Authority which gives him an insight into Swindon's future development. Adding his name to the petition calling on the council not to destroy the country park, he said, "it is horrible to think of this valuable asset to the community covered by concrete. It goes against what the Government is trying to encourage.

"The really critical thing is how do you maintain co-operation between the council and local communities to bring something into Swindon which will be here for all time - for all generations. Forests are about long term asset building - they aren't just for the next decade, they are here for good.

"The issue of trust between council and community is very important and councillors have to consider how they will go down in history. Do they want to be remembered for their vision of the future or for short term commercial gain?"

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