Swindon Area Green Party - Kingshill Ward

28/08/2026

NEWBURN SIDINGS: PLANNING APPROVAL IS NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS

Planning consent has now been granted (last week) for the Newburn Sidings housing development (SBC planning portal ref : S/OUT/21/0181), which is within the Kingshill ward and very close to many local residents.

While we are disappointed that the application has been approved, there is still an important process to follow before the development can commence.

We have contacted the Chair of Swindon Council’s Planning Committee to seek clarification on three key questions:

Reserved Matters :

The consent includes a number of Reserved Matters (details and conditions that still need to be agreed or addressed before development activity can begin). We have asked the Council to confirm exactly what these are and what needs to be resolved.

Public scrutiny and consultation :

Will local residents have the opportunity to see and comment on the Reserved Matters when they are submitted by the developer?

How do residents keep track?

Will these submissions appear under the existing planning application reference S/OUT/21/0181, or will new application reference numbers be created?

If new references are generated, we will make sure residents know what to look out for.

Approval does not mean we should stop paying attention.

Our priority now is to ensure that the development is the best version it can possibly be with proper consideration given to housing quality, ecology, nature, community, infrastructure and the environment.

We will keep local residents updated as we receive further information.

Local residents deserve to have a voice throughout the process and not just when the initial planning application is decided. You can view the details on the SBC planning portal.

02/07/2026

Marcus Kittridge and Rosie Leather are both taking part in SWINDON OLD TOWN OPEN GARDENS this coming
Sunday 5 July 2026 from midday to 5:30pm. Our gardens are in the heart of the Kingshill ward on Kingshill Road and Grosvenor Road. As well as our 2 gardens, you can also visit another 13 open gardens in the local area.

We both enjoy our respective gardens very much and we're excited to share them with visitors this weekend. You’ll be warmly welcomed whether you come for the gardens or just a peaceful wander and a chat!

Swindon Old Town Open Gardens is a community fundraising event held each July, where residents open their gardens for visitors to enjoy.

Now in its 12th year, the event features a mix of returning favourites alongside new gardens opening each year, giving visitors something fresh to explore every time.

Many gardens offer refreshments, plant sales, and occasional tours, creating a friendly and inspiring afternoon out whatever the weather.

This year’s event supports four local charities: Twigs, Prospect Hospice, SHINE, and Old Town Community Gardeners.

TICKETS WILL BE £5 AND AVAILABLE PRIOR TO THE EVENT FROM THE FOLLOWING PLACES in person on - www.southswindoninbloom.co.uk/events/swindon-old-town-open-gardens

Or purchase online for £5 + £1.13 Eventbrite fee. £6.13 at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swindon-old-town-open-gardens-2026-tickets-1990881679697

Swindon Old Town Open Gardens is a community fundraising event held each July, where residents open their gardens for visitors to enjoy. Now in its 12th year, the event features a mix of returning favourites alongside new gardens opening each year, giving visitors something fresh to explore every

12/06/2026

Come along to the next couple of Public Living Rooms at the Westcott Community Garden between Manor Road and Newburn Crescent in central Swindon.

We had one of these at the garden a couple of weeks ago and it was soooo lovely. Looking forward to chatting to a few new people and enjoying our lovely space again. 🌿🌸🌞

06/06/2026

LOCAL UPDATE:

This week I've spent time making sure that the Kingshill ward area has representation on some important local initiatives.

On Tuesday I took part in the regular "Get Swindon Moving" group meeting where all aspects of transport in Swindon are discussed and fed back to council officers and representatives from the bus and rail operators. I was surprised that no local councillors made themselves available as we were hoping to get assurances that the recent changes to the political make up of the council would allow for continuity of thinking and planning. The senior officer for Highways and Transport did not show up either.

During the many topics we discussed, I asked about the replacement bus service for the Kingshill area. It's been almost 300 days since our bus service was withdrawn. Apparently the tender bids are in and awaiting appraisal. I really don't know why it's taking so long but I will keep the pressure on through every channel I can.

On Friday, I went to the City of Culture 2029 bid strategy meeting. We (around 80 participants) workshopped many themes including people and places. This is an immense opportunity for our town

I made sure that Kingshill's assets would not be overlooked in any program of events if we are successful in the bidding process. Locations I proposed included The Wilts and Berks Canal, Westcott Rec, Angel Ridge Park, Rushey Platt Nature Reserve, Robert Le Kyng School and GWR Park.

If anyone has any other ideas on either topic, I can feed those into future meetings. Let me know in the comments section.

Best wishes,
Marcus Kittridge

10/05/2026

A big thank you to all of our page followers who have liked, shared and commented on our posts. Your support has been inspiring.

We threw the kitchen sink at this election campaign because Rosie, Becky and myself are so passionate about Kingshill and Swindon.

It's been one hell of a journey. Lots of laughs, a few tears and so much hard work and support from our tribe of loyal and trusted supporters and local party members.

Too many people to thank individually but many many thanks to all of you.

If you've enjoyed our journey and feel inspired to join us on our ongoing adventure you can join the local green party here and you'll be a member of the nation Green Party for as little as £6 a year.

We are passionate about growing our membership and continuing to do more great local things. Our community means a lot to all of us.

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/join-us/

09/05/2026

It wasn’t our day in Kingshill on the Parish either. We’re a bit devastated on this one - we know we have so much to offer locally and so to lose by so few votes is completely gutting.

But there are green shoots showing and we want to celebrate our wonderful friends and newly elected Green Councillors across Central Swindon North, Haydon Wick, St Andrews, Stratton and Wroughton Parishes.

We’ve got a few of our Young Greens taking Parish Council seats and we’re incredibly proud of what they’ve started here in Swindon.

We’re going to take a short social media break to have a little cry and pick ourselves back up.

Thanks again and see you all soon 🌿✊🌸💚🌞

08/05/2026

Well, despite working so hard, Rosie and myself were beaten to a close and very respectable second place behind Labour in the local borough council elections.

We finished ahead of Reform, Conservatives and the quite nice LibDems ;)

We're not going away.

We'll regroup and plan to return to fight another day.

In the meantime we'll continue to work independently and cooperatively with our neighbours and residents that have shown so much love and support.

Thank you for your votes and thanks to everyone who have helped us behind the scenes and shoulder to shoulder with us.

One day here in Kingshill and Swindon our time and your time will come. 💚 💚 💚

Meanwhile .....

🚨 GREEN MILESTONE 🚨

For the first time, the Green Party has 1,000 councillors 💚

Congratulations to Cllr Maxine Webb - the 1,000th Green Party councillor - on being elected to Norfolk County Council 🎉

08/05/2026

I’m so proud of myself. The journey from leaving the Labour Party with a broken heart, to joining the Green Party, to thinking I’d give it a go, to finding my people, to giving it my biggest go…

It’s been a pleasure and I am so thankful to the residents of my wonderful home of Kingshill. You may be hilly but you’re a powerhouse of ideas, opinions and opportunities and I’m not done with you yet 💚