From the Herald archive - Stratford to lose 19-year development fight
22nd April 1999
THE 19-year fight to save the green fields of Bishopton from development may end today (Thursday) when Stratford district councillors decide whether to give the go-ahead for another huge housing development in town.
Parts of the land surrounding The Avenue, Bishopton, have been the target of developers since 1980 and the area has been the subject of four public inquiries and two High Court decisions, which all ruled against development.
But at a meeting tonight, the council’s Avon area planning committee is being recommended to surrender to the building companies and grant outline permission to three housing development on three stretches of adjoining land at Bishopton.
In total it is estimated that the schemes could pave the way for up to 180 houses and an estimated extra 200 cars onto Stratford’s congested roads.
STRATFORD is “an unremarkable market town” that has been “smothered by package tourist-hype, according to the latest travel guide to hit the market place.
Describing Stratford, more frequently used to being hailed as the jewel in Britain’s crown, as an “ordinary little place,” Britain: The Rough Guide has again not minced its words in a five-page lambast of the town and its attractions. It describes Stratford as an “ordinary little place... all but smothered by package-tourist hype and tea-shoppe quaintness”.
22nd April 1966
OIL pollution of the Stratford canal in the borough has caused the death of a nesting swan – and the rising waters of the Avon have this week taken toll of young mallards near Welford.
The pen from the pair of swans that forsook their canal bank nest after they had become fouled with oil on the stretch between Clopton and Maidenhead roads, died at Barford where they were taken to be cared for. The cob is now back on the river with the local flock.
Four of their eggs have been taken to the Severn Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge for hatching and an attempt is being made to incubate the other two at Stratford. At the same time, three broods of mallard duckling – about 30 – were swept away from the nests at Welford and many more were endangered. The Severn River Authority reported that the river was three feet up at Stratford and still rising.
25th April 1924
LETTER to the editor: Sir, l have read the report in your last issue of the swimming club annual meeting, and heartily support Mr Cratchley’s suggestion that the authorities be requested to consider the viability of providing a proper swimming bath for the town.
Since my removal to Derby, and living in a house without a bathroom, thousands of which exist, I have appreciated a swill in the well-equipped baths provided by the Derby Corporation, and think that from a health point of view public baths should be provided, and do not hesitate to say that I am sure they would be well-patronised both in winter and summer, as no one would grumble to pay 3d or 6d for a bath.
It seems to me that the old college buildings in Chestnut Walk could easily be converted into public baths.
