STOPPING SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL FROM ACTING AGAINST THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Our local authority continues to support developer interests over the very residents they’re paid to serve. And the matter shows no sign of stopping!!!

This petition requests:

✅ A formal intervention by the Secretary of State under Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999

✅ A full statutory inspection into Swindon Borough Council’s governance, legal conduct, and planning decisions

✅ Immediate suspension of those implicated in recent allegations to allow whistleblowers to come forward

✅ An emergency pause on all developer-related decisions while investigations are underway

✅ National-level oversight to restore public confidence and accountability in an organisation which seems completely out of control 

Amidst ongoing controversies like the Oasis Leisure Centre, Highworth Golf Course, and Abbey Stadium, another scandal now finds itself in the spotlight. 

SBC has allowed developers Vistry and Barratt Redrow to walk away from their legal obligations, leaving local families of Abbey Farm with £178,000+ of remedial costs, and over £300,000 already taken from residents by Gateway Property Management Ltd, a company that refuses to provide any evidence of a lawful appointment.

And what did the Council do?
Refused to enforce the breaches
Refused to challenge the wrongdoing
And gave developers a free pass - while forcing the costs onto residents
👉 A sham planning meeting

👉 Two councillors voting against expert evidence, based on a pleasant experience at a nearby play park

👉 A motion passed while ignoring serious breaches

👉 A decision published almost immediately - despite live complaints, Ombudsman referrals, and warnings of legal challenge

👉 And worst of all - residents ignored at every turn as the council operates against the public interest.

Meanwhile, the Council Leader, Chief Executive, legal officers and senior planners have all been accused of shutting down scrutiny, misleading residents, and protecting the developers they should be regulating. 

It’s all been laid bare in a formal open letter sent to the Secretary of State and the Local Government Ombudsman.

Click here to view the Open Letter

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

With Swindon due to grow significantly in the next 20 years, we cannot sit by whilst our council continues to support developer wealth over public interest at any cost. 

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