University of the West of England - Development faces inquiry

A public inquiry into whether the University of the West of England will be allowed to build its Swindon campus on a beauty spot, Coate Water, is under way. The local branch of environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth is opposed to the plans, along with Swindon Borough Council. Both argue that a town-centre site would be more suitable for the development. The opposition follows a previous decision by the University of Bath to abandon plans for a Swindon campus as a result of planning concerns.