The Vale of Aylesbury Plan Whitchurch Fact Pack September 2011

Oving Road

Contents

Section Page

1 Introduction page 3 2 Location and Setting page 5 3 Story of Place page 7 4 Fact File page 9 5 Issues Facing the Parish page 35 6 Parish Constraints page 37 7 Annex page 41

Front cover photo source: Google Street View, (2010)

1. Introduction

Purpose of the document

This Fact Pack document was initially produced in 2010 to help inform the town/parish council about the characteristics of their parish for the ‘community view’ consultation. This consultation was undertaken early on in the preparation of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan as part of a bottom up approach embracing localism and aiming to get local communities more involved in the planning process. The town/parish council were asked to consult with their community on the following:

 The level of future housing and/or employment development up to 2031, including specific types of homes, employment and other development  The location, sizes and phasing of development  The types of infrastructure (social, community, physical) needed to enable development, including where it should be located  Any other issues relating to planning and development This Fact Pack document has also been used to support neighbourhood planning by providing evidence for the context of the neighbourhood plan, including information on housing, employment, infrastructure and the environment.

This Fact Pack document has also been used to support the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Settlement Hierarchy Assessment. This forms part of the evidence that classifies settlements into different categories, where different levels of growth are apportioned to over the next 20 years.

The document also forms part of the background work relating to Neighbourhood Plans as well as the production of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan. The Fact Pack does not form planning policy for Aylesbury Vale.

What the Fact Pack includes

The content of the Fact Pack reflects the size of the parish or town, providing the most detail for larger villages/towns which are likely to experience greater levels of growth, compared to smaller parishes/villages which are likely to experience less growth. Smaller parish’s Fact Packs have a more limited content in the Fact Packs. Fact Packs for larger villages/towns identify the following information:

 Location and setting within the district (relationship to other settlements)  Story of place (how the parish has developed from its origins to the present day)  Issues facing the parish (e.g. infrastructure and local services deficits)  Social demographics (population, age profile, social groups, levels of deprivation and crime levels)  Economic profile (allocated employment sites, change of use to employment looking back 5 years, sectors of employment, levels of economic activity, distances travelled to work and broadband speeds)

 Local service provision (retail, healthcare, leisure, public open space, tourism, and education)  Housing profile (dwelling types, tenure, occupancy, past completions and commitments, average house prices, housing needs waiting list and gypsy and traveller sites)  Transport infrastructure (road network, cars per household, public transport provision)  Environmental constraints (maps to identify agricultural land quality, landscape sensitivities, biodiversity constraints, flooding and historic constraints)

Fact Packs for smaller parishes/villages identify the following information:

 Location and setting within the district (relationship to other settlements)  Social demographics (population and age profile)  Housing profile (dwelling types, tenure, occupancy, past completions and commitments, average house prices, housing needs waiting list and gypsy and traveller sites)  Economic profile (employment change of B use classes looking back 5 years, sectors of employment and levels of economic activity)  Issues facing the parish (e.g. infrastructure and local services deficits)  Environmental constraints (maps to identify agricultural land quality, landscape sensitivities, biological constraints, flooding and historic constraints) Where possible information in the Fact Pack has been supplemented with information from the town/parish council to draw upon local knowledge, particularly for the section on issues relating to the parish. Some town/parish councils have also published the document on their website for the community to view and use.

In addition to this Fact Pack, a district wide Fact Pack has been written to develop an understanding at the strategic level on the availability of infrastructure, services, facilities, planning issues and environmental constraints. This can be viewed on our website1.

Availability of data

Statistics identified in the Fact Pact are primarily from Census data (2001), AVDC monitoring data (updated annually) and research carried out by Buckinghamshire County Council. There are also a number of websites that have been used to retrieve information, such as crime statistics, broadband coverage and housing sales. Where possible, parish level data has been used. If this level of data is not available super output area (SOA) boundaries or ward boundaries have been used (often these cover a larger area than just the settlement). The boundaries of the parish, SOA and ward can be viewed on map 1 in this document.

This Fact Pack is a ‘living document’ which is intended to be regularly updated. Information contained within the Fact Pack is correct at the time of writing. It is acknowledged that some of the information may change over time and the Fact Packs will be updated accordingly.

1 District Fact Pack http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local-development-plans/planning-policy/vale-of- aylesbury-plan-/fact-packs/ 4

2.Location and Setting

Whitchurch is situated astride the A413 Aylesbury to Buckingham road approximately 5 miles north of Aylesbury and 12 miles south of Buckingham. The settlement is predominately of linear form, chiefly consisting of one street with minor roads heading off.

Whitchurch is on an extensively prominent ridge of the Brill‐Wing Hills. There are long distance views in all directions. The land is mainly pastoral with hedgerows and mature trees. There is grazing land towards the north and several blocks of broadleaved woodlands towards the west. Whitchurch is a historic settlement with buildings dating back to the 13th century. There are many fine examples of medieval buildings within the village.

Location map

Super Output Area 7725

Key

Ward boundary Super Output Areas Boundaries Parish Boundary

Facts and figures have been identified relating to three different geographical boundaries depending on the source of the information. In general all Census data is provided at parish level, AVDC Local Area Profile data relates to Super Output Areas (SOA) and Hometrack Housing Intelligence System data relates to the ward level. Please note the 2011 Census will take two years to publish, as such this data will not be available until 2013.

3. Story of Place

Origins of settlement

Whitchurch is rich in history, with many historic buildings. One of the earliest mentions of the village is in the Doomsday book of 1086, when Whitchurch was formerly called Weston. During the 12th century, a Bolebec castle was built, which is a significant archaeological feature within the village.

One of the oldest buildings is St John’s Church, located in the centre of the village, set back from the A413, which dates from the 13th century. There is a Wesleyan Methodist Church which dating from 1844. Other historic buildings of note include the White Swan Pub, formerly the Queen’s Head Inn until 1785 and the Priory Hotel, dating from 1360, which was the Old Courthouse until 1900.

The original part of Whitchurch is to the south of the High Street, with development Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Whitchurch gradually extending towards the north. Traditional houses within the village denote antiquity, being built of timber frame filled with bricks and plaster.

Local industry included brick and silk weaving. A silk factory was located to the side of The Firs, on the road called Little London. The Firs once housed a secret Ministry of Defence department MD1, known as Winston, where staff developed and produced twenty‐six different types of The Swan Inn, Whitchurch weapons during World War Two.

1945 to 2000

During the 1980s there were a number of small housing estates developed including the Meadows off Ash Grove Gardens (18 dwellings), Land at Green Acre Close (10 dwellings), Crabsgrove (3 dwellings) and Bushmead Close (5 dwellings). There have been a number of barn conversions, including Rickyard Close (7 units from barn conversions and 18 new dwellings). Sporadic single dwelling infilling throughout the village has also occurred.

High Street, Whitchurch Development in last 10 years

There has been no significant development during the last ten years.

Current planning

As at March 2011, 15 dwellings within the parish have planning permission which have yet to be implemented.

4.Fact File

Social Demographics

Whitchurch has a parish population of 857, made up of 49% males and 51% females (Census, 2001).

The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics for SOA 7725 estimates the population at mid‐2009 to be 2,136. Please note this includes the settlements of Creslow, Hardwick and Weedon as seen on the location map.

There are 374 dwellings are within Whitchurch parish (AVDC, 2010).

Age profile 300 250 200 people 150 of

100 50 Number 0 People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged People aged 0‐4 5‐15 16‐24 25‐44 45‐64 65‐74 75 and over

Census, 2001 © Crown copyright

The population’s age breakdown is very much in line with the average for the district as a whole. Although the parish has the lowest proportion of 16‐24 year olds anywhere in the district with just 7% (AVDC Local Area Profile, 2006).

Population change since 1951

Whitchurch Population Change from 1951 to 2001

900 800 700 600 People

500 400 300 Number 200 100 0 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001

Year

Census, 2001 © Crown copyright

The graph shows since 1951 there has only been a very slight overall population increase, with the population falling between 1961 and 1981.

Compared to the rest of the district the population has had very little increase.

ACORN Social Groups

A Classification of Residential Neighbourhoods (ACORN) developed by the Bucks Strategic Partnership shows the distinct groups of people that live within Buckinghamshire. The county is made up of 10 groups of households whose residents all have very different demographic characteristics and lifestyles. This means that from the results it would be possible to identify that more affluent groups are likely to have very different public service needs from those less affluent groups. The different ACORN group types are explained at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/research/bucks_acorn.page

ACORN Social Groups Villages with wealthy 11% commuters 1% Well‐off managers

Affluent Greys 19%

55% Flourishing Families

0% Urban Professionals

14% Secure Families

Source: Bucks Strategic Partnership, 2010

Almost nine out of ten people (88%) in this ward live in areas classified by the five most affluent ACORN Groups in Buckinghamshire. The ‘Villages with Wealthy Commuters’* category is the largest of these Groups accounting for just over half of the wards population (54%), followed by the ‘Flourishing Families’ (19%) and the ‘Well‐off Managers’ (14%). Less than 1% belong to the ‘Affluent Greys’.

The ‘Flourishing Families’ (19%) can be further described by ‘Well‐off working families with mortgages’ (7%), ‘Larger families living in prosperous suburbs’ (6%), ‘Well‐off managers living in detached houses’ (5%) and ‘Affluent working families with mortgages’ (2%).

Just over one in ten people (11%) belong to the ‘Secure Families’. People living in areas classified by this Group can mainly be described as being more likely to be ‘Mature families living in suburban semis’ (10 %). Smaller proportions are classified as ‘Younger white‐collar couples with mortgages’ also make up the ‘Secure Families’ Group accounting for 1% of the wards population.

Less than 1% of the population live in areas classified by the ‘Urban Professionals’ Group.

Deprivation

The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) provide an analysis of the levels of deprivation according to seven key indicators: income, employment, health, education, housing, crime and living environment (ONS, 2007). This is identified by SOA 7725 (See map on map 6 for location).

“A scoring result out of 20 is shown for each category of deprivation where 20 would be the most deprived possible out of all Super Output Areas of the country and 1 the least.” http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jessionid=ac1f930c30d5db 879cdfef6f4ec0b3ddebacf2a8426b?m=0&s=1286534584186&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssv g=false&nswid=1249

The Indices of Deprivation table overleaf for Whitchurch SOA shows Whitchurch to be one of the least deprived areas within the country, falling within the top 2% nationally for overall least deprived areas. There are also very low levels of deprivation for income, employment, health and education. The highest level of deprivation is barrier to housing and services. This is likely to be due to high house prices and remote locality.

Indices of Deprivation

Overall Deprivation Measures the following seven key indicators:

1) Income Deprivation Measures unemployment, incapacity benefits and disability allowance

2) Employment Deprivation Measures access to jobs

3) Health Deprivation Measures population’s health

4) Education Deprivation Measures skill levels and access to education 5) Barrier to Housing and Services Measure access to affordable housing and services

6) Crime Measures levels of burglary, theft, criminal damage and violence

7) Living Environment Deprivation Measures both indoor and outdoor living conditions including condition of housing, air quality, road traffic accidents Sources: Communities and Local Government; Office for National Statistics; Valuation Office Agency, (2007)

Employment

The graph below shows net employment completions which are identified as B1, B2, and B8 use classes. This includes offices, research and development, light industry, general industry, warehousing and distribution. Net floorspace takes into account demolition and loss of B class uses. Please note at the district level B use employment is likely to only contribute to 50% of total employment with the other employment generated through non‐B uses, such as retail.

Whitchurch Employment net floorspace

2009‐10 0

2008‐09 0

2007‐08 325

2006‐07 51

2005‐06 220

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Net Floorspace (m²)

Source: AVDC, March 2010

The graph shows during the last five years there has not been any employment loss in Whitchurch, with 2005 – 2007 resulting in a net gain. During the last two years there has not been any increase.

However there is currently commitment for a loss of 555 m². This is due to the conversion of a workshop into a dwelling.

Sectors of Employment

Sectors of Employment SOA 7725

25% 20%

15% 10%

5% 0%

n l g s in h r tai ial s lt e tio e rin c m th e an ea uc /R at Ad H O tr le C Fin Busine lic ns sa Education Agriculture o els/ ub C ole t P Manufacturing h Ho W Transport/Comms

Estate/Renting, Real Source: 2006, AVDC Local Area Profile

The above graph shows for Whitchurch parish there are two key industries of importance, real estate/renting and business (20%) and in wholesale/retail (15%), as shown on the graph above.

In addition the most common type of employment Whitchurch parish is managerial and professional accounting for 43% of the population (Census, 2001). This is fairly high in comparison to other parts of the district.

Economic activity

All people aged 16 to 74: 25% Economically active : Employed All people aged 16 to 74: Economically active : 2% Unemployed All people aged 16 to 74 : 73% Economically inactive

Census, 2001 © Crown copyright

The graph shows that 73% of the population are economically active for Whitchurch parish. The economically inactive population accounts for 25%, for example this include children, students and the elderly (Census, 2001).

Mode Travelled to Work

Distance travelled to work According to the 2001 Census, the average distance travelled to a fixed place of work was 21.9 km for Whitchurch parish. However the most common distance that people travel to work is between 5‐10km. This is understandable seeing that Whitchurch is reasonably close to Aylesbury town. 10% of the people commute over 40km to go to their place of work. This is in line with the average for the district as a whole (AVDC Local Area Profile, 2006).

Commuting from Aylesbury Vale Wards

Note the coloured arrows relate to each location/road in the key Source: Aylesbury Vale Employment Land Study, 2008)

The chart shows that almost half of the population travel to the Aylesbury Rural Area and a quarter to Aylesbury Town. Small percentages of people travel to the M1, M25, M40 corridors and elsewhere.

Mode of travel

Mode of travel to work All people aged 16 to 74 in 8% employment: Travel to work 20% by public transport

All people aged 16 to 74 in employment: Travel to work by motorcycle; car or van

All people aged 16 to 74 in employment: Travel to work by other means or work at 72% home

Census, 2001 © Crown copyright

The most common mode of travelling to work is by motor vehicle accounting for 72%. 8% travel by public transport, which reflects a similar trend to the rest of the district.

Employment Sites

There are two employment sites within Whitchurch, Red Leys at Whitchurch Lane, where there is one unit and a site along Church Street where there is also one unit of employment (Employment Land Study, 2008).

The nearest larger employment sites are located at Aylesbury towards the south‐west, located approximately 4 miles from Whitchurch.

Broadband speeds

There is no formal way of assessing Broadband speed and coverage. However we have drawn on some of the commercially available speed checking services to give a guide as to the coverage and speeds available in the parish/town. This does not mean that this is necessarily an obtainable level of service, but is as close as we are able to provide as an indicator.

Using http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/speedtest/?gclid=CPuCx4yD5rYCFdHLtAodjWgAfA it would appear that the village has fair coverage and speeds obtainable appear to be in the range of 1.29 to 6.57 Mbps.

Shops and Services

Although the village is relatively small there a number of key shops and services. This includes Whitchurch Combined School, the White Swan public house, village store, doctors surgery and hairdresser.

Health Care There is a doctors surgery in Whitchurch, no other medical facilities are located in the village. The nearest chemist is in Aylesbury, approximately 4 miles away.

The 2001 Census data shows 77% of the population in Whitchurch parish are in good health, with 10% of people have a limiting long‐term illness. This reflects the trend for the rest of the district (Census, 2001).

Sports and Leisure Facilities Below is a list of built leisure and sports facilities that have been audited in accordance with PPG17 guidance

Village Hall (Ex Legion Hall)

Woodland Walk

Multi‐use games area

Allotments

Leisure

Access to Green Space

The following are locations of green space for which the accessibility audit has been carried out:‐

Green Space Size St Johns Church 6,583m2 Open Space Castle Lane 11,308m2 Amenity Space Rickyard Close 3,677m2 Allotments Rear of Oving Road 11,727m2 Allotments Adj. to Ashgrove Gardens 1018m2 Recreation Ground 29,718m2

The following table shows current provision against Accessible Natural England Standard (ANGSt) by Natural England which is considered a national benchmark and forms part of Government guidance on green space provision. The standard emphasizes the importance of accessible green space to local communities.

ANGSt Standard Sufficient Existing Provision 2ha‐20ha green spaces located within 300m of dwellings No. There are no sites to the south end or centrally located within the village. 20ha‐100ha green spaces located within 2km of dwellings No. A new site within Weedon or Quainton ward is required for this standard to be met. 100ha‐500ha green spaces located within 5km of dwellings No. A new site within Stewkley, Wingrave, or Quainton Ward is required for this standard to be met. 500ha+ green spaces located within 10km of dwellings No. A new site is required for this standard to be met within the district.

Playing Standard Sufficient Existing Provision Pitch/Allotments LEAPs*/ NEAP** 3 are required No. For existing urban development 3

LEAP’s are required. No Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play (NEAP) within the village so teenage provision could be located at the Recreation Ground or more centrally within the village if a suitable public open space is created. Allotments 9 plots per 1000 Two sites are located in the village and population we have been informed are both privately owned. Further information regarding current provision within the village will have to be obtained from the Whitchurch Parish Council. http://www.bucksinfo.net/whitchurch/ *Locally Equipped Area of Play. **Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play.

Tourism AVDC monitor a number of tourism attraction within the district. There are no tourism attractions monitored in Whitchurch. Tourism attractions in the vicinity of Whitchurch include:

Buckinghamshire County Museum & Roald Dahl Children's Gallery (no visitor numbers).

Queens Park Arts Centre and The Limelight Centre – attracted 40,000 visitors in 2009/10.

The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre – attracted 55,383 visitors in 2009/10

Waddesdon Manor ‐ attracted 400,000 visitors in 2009/10;

Crime

The below graph is based on data on the number of burglaries, theft, criminal damage, and violence from 2002 and 2003. The columns show a ranking for Whitchurch SOA against all other SOA’s nationally (there are around 32,500). An IMD score of 1 would mean the SOA is the highest crime area in the country. Whereas a ranking of 32,500 would be the lowest crime area in the country.

Crime Deprivation

35000 30000 25000 Deprivation

20000 15000 Muliple 10000 of

5000 0 Indices 7725 Weedon Ward Super Output Area

In terms of crime deprivation, Whitchurch shows very low levels of crime deprivation, falling within the top 25% nationally (AVDC Local Area Profile).

Education

Pre‐school and Sure start

There is one pre‐school in Whitchurch ‘Pre‐school Playgroup’ located at Whitchurch combined primary school. This provides capacity for 26 children to attend from 2 years old.

Primary Schools

Whitchurch falls with the Winslow and Waddesdon Primary Planning Area, where there are 20 primary schools. These schools provide a total capacity of 2,947, which currently in 2009/10 2,435 pupils were attending, leaving a surplus supply of 17% (5,12 pupils).

Whitchurch has one combined school for ages 4 to 11. This school currently has a capacity for 210 pupils, which in 2010 210 pupils attended, and therefore currently at capacity.

Source: Buckinghamshire County Council, 2009

Secondary Schools

The nearest secondary schools are in Aylesbury and Waddesdon, approximately 6 miles away.

Waddesdon Church of England School: 960 place capacity. In 2009/2010 there were 970 pupils (thus no spare capacity/ 1% oversupply);

Aylesbury Vale Academy ‐ During 2010 there was capacity for 920 pupils, of which 745 pupils attending, leaving a surplus capacity of 19% (175 pupils)

Mandeville Upper School ‐ capacity for 1001 pupils, in 2010 1049 pupils attended, exceeding capacity by 5%.

Education Trends and Statistics Key Stage 2 is ages 7‐11 (Junior School) within the Primary Curriculum. Level 4 is one of the higher standards of achievement for teaching effectiveness. More information on the stages and the curriculum is available at http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key‐stages‐1‐and‐2/Values‐aims‐ and‐purposes/about‐the‐primary‐curriculum/index.aspx

At Key Stage 2, 87% of pupils in Weedon ward achieve Level 4 or above in English, compared to a regional figure of 81.3%. In Science, 94% achieve Level 4 or above compared to a regional figure of 87.6% and in Maths, 94% achieve Level 4 or above compared to a regional figure of 78% (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009).

At GCSE level, 38% of school pupils in Weedon ward achieved 5 or more GCSEs graded A to C, compared to a regional average of 65% (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009).

Housing Stock Profile Dwelling type 2% Detached house / bungalows

Semi‐detached / terraced 48% houses / bungalow 50% Flat maisonette or apartment; or caravan or temporary structure

Source: 2001 Census, © Crown copyright The above graph shows a relatively equal split in housing types between semi‐ detached/terraced and detached. Only 2% of the parish are a flat/apartment.

The average household size is 2.4 persons, which is just below the district average of 2.51. The average number of rooms per household of 7, which is higher than the district average of 5.8.

Household Tenure

Tenure 10% Households with owner‐occupied tenure 11% Households with tenure rented from Council (local authority) or Housing Association / Registered Social Landlord Households with tenure rented from private landlord or letting agency or 79% other tenure

Source: 2001 Census, © Crown copyright

The most popular tenure is owner‐occupied. Within this category approximately 45% own their homes with a help of a mortgage (AVDC Local Area Profile, 2006).

11% of the housing stock is rented for Registered Social Landlords, with a further 10% registered from private landlords (Census, 2001).

Household Occupancy

Household Occupany Household spaces with residents 3% 0%

Vacant household spaces

Second residence / holiday accommodation

97%

Source: 2001 Census, © Crown copyright

Vacant households accounts for 3%. There is no holiday accommodation in Whitchurch.

For clarification a ‘vacant’ household space is unoccupied space which is not a household’s usual residence and is not a second residence or holiday accommodation.

Market Data on Completions and Sales

Year ending 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 31st March: Total Dwelling 0 2 0 0 1 ‐1 8 Completions Affordable 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Housing Rural Exception 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 Schemes

As at 31st 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 March: Commitments 5 12 10 12 11 14 15

Source: AVDC, March 2010

Commitment figures show the net housing commitments in each parish in the District. In other words, they show the number of houses (both new dwellings and conversions) for which there is a valid planning permission, allowing for those houses which have already been completed, and allowing for dwellings which are to be demolished or otherwise lost.

Since 2005 there have been no affordable housing completed, although there is one rural exception site for 8 units at The Roses, North Marston Lane, which is currently under construction.

House Prices

(Source: Hometrack, September 2011)

Average Household Price from 2005 £450,000 £400,000 £350,000 £300,000 £250,000 £200,000 £150,000 £100,000 £50,000 Value £0 June… June… June… June… June… June… June… 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010

Household Dec2008

Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec

Whitchurch falls within the Weedon ward. The Weedon ward house prices have fluctuated over the last five years. The highest average house price was in July 2006 with an average of £439,578. The lowest house price was in January 2010 with £264,952. Over the last two years house prices have remained relatively constant. The price band with most sales was between £225,000 and £250,000. In spring 2011 the average house price was £270,000.

Housing Sales

In 2010 there were 86 property sales in Weedon ward, of which 7 were new build sales. The graph and table overleaf shows between 2009 and 2010 there has been a large reduction in the number sales, although between 2005 and 2009 there has been a steady increase year on year. This shows an opposite trend to the rest of the district where between 2007 and 2009 the number of dwelling sales have on average decreased. There has been a large percentage of stock turnover, with the largest being in 2009 accounting for 17.2%. This is likely to be because of the Weedon Hill development (Buckingham Park) housing site within the ward as large numbers of new dwellings are currently being built and sold.

Annual Dwelling Sales

140 119 120

100 88 86 78 80 Dwellings

of 60 38 40 24 Number 20

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

(Source: Hometrack, September 2011)

New Build price comparison

Price comparision for new builds compared to previously occupied dwellings £500,000 £450,000 £400,000 Previously Occupied Flat Prices £350,000 New Build Flat Prices Value

£300,000 £250,000 Previously Occupied House £200,000 Prices

Household £150,000 New Build House Prices £100,000 £50,000 £0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

(Source: HM Land Registry, September 2010) Please note not all the data is available for each year and the dwelling size is not taken into consideration.

The graph above for Weedon ward shows there is a notable difference between the cost of new builds and previously occupied dwellings, with new builds costing less. This has an opposite trend to the rest of the district, as new builds are often more expensive. The cost of a new build flat is significantly less, being less than half the price in 2008, compared to the cost of a new build house.

Affordability

(Source: Hometrack, September 2010)

This graph below shows in order to buy a terraced property based on a mortgage rate three times income, a first time buyer needs to be earning at least £35,000 ‐40,000. To buy a terraced property on a mortgage based on three times income an owner occupier needs to be earning at least £30,000 ‐ 35,000.

Housing Need

In Whitchurch parish, there are 7 households on the waiting list for Council housing (Source, AVDC October 2010). The total number of households on the council housing waiting list is 4,410. Please note that within this figure there are 1,022 households on the waiting list from outside the district and 120 households where the Council has so far been unable to map their location (please see Annex 1 for map of the district housing waiting list).

Gypsy and Traveller Sites

There is one Travelling show people site in Whitchurch at The Bungalow although there are no pitches (AVDC monitoring, 2010).

Transport and connections

Whitchurch lies on the A413 strategic road connecting Aylesbury to Winslow and Buckingham. From the centre of the village there are a number of minor roads which lead to Cublington, Aston Abbots and Oving.

The graph below shows the number of vehicles for each household. 90% of households own at least one vehicle, with 10% not own any vehicles. The majority of households own at least two cars accounting for 47%.

Number of cars/vans per household 14% 10%

No cars or vans 29% One car or van Two cars or vans Three or more cars or vans 47%

Source: 2001 Census, © Crown copyright

Public bus route 60 operates from each bus stop, which operates at least hourly Monday to Saturday between 7am and 8pm. A reduced service operates on a Sunday, approximately every two hours. There are four sets of bus stops located along the High Street and Oving Road as seen in the map overleaf. This map can be viewed online at http://www.nextbus.travel/

Bus Stops

Source http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Maps/Real‐time‐bus‐map.aspx searched 12/10/2010)

Public Transport Route

Source: Buckinghamshire County Council, November 2010

Bus services shown can be searched at on the Buckinghamshire County Council website at http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Bus‐timetables.aspx

Aylesbury Vale Dial‐a‐Ride operates within all parishes in the district. This scheme is a charity, providing a door to door minibus service in the Aylesbury Vale area for anyone who finds it difficult to use ordinary public transport.

Water Cycle

The Aylesbury Vale Draft Water Cycle Study was completed by Halcrow with AVDC officers, Thames Water, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders in December 2010. It provides an audit of water supplies, surface water management, flood risk, water quality, wastewater network and sewerage treatment works as relevant to a selected number of rural settlements in Aylesbury Vale. On flood risk, the study picks up all forms of flooding other than river flooding (which is separately covered by the Fact Packs). The Draft Water Cycle Study also provides an appraisal of the available capacity in the above infrastructure and identifies how far constrained (or not) settlements are to potential further development.

Wastewater Treatment Works – Aylesbury Wastewater Treatment Works has no constraints to potential development at Whitchurch. However, discussions would be needed with Thames Water as to the exact level of development before upgrades may be required.

Wastewater Networks – There are major constraints with existing infrastructure. Depending on the potential development site, it may be that networks can be either in the Thames Water or Anglian Water Services catchments.

Water Supplies – There are constraints, however these can be overcome. 220‐700 metres of pipe network would be needed for some sites and this would take 6‐12 months to implement this scheme.

Water Quality – Currently technology is hampering the ability for water companies to meet the Water Framework Directive “Good” standard. Water companies will look to address this matter in the future once the relevant technology becomes available. This issue has no impact on the future development of various sites around the village

Flood Risk – Groundwater flooding in some areas

Surface Water Management – No constraints

Fact File Summary

The population’s age breakdown is very much in line with the average for the district as a whole although the parish has the lowest proportion of 13‐19 year olds anywhere in the district with just 7%.

Whitchurch has a parish population of 857, made up of 49% males and 51% females (Census, 2001).

Since 1951 there has only been a very slight overall population increase, with the population falling between 1961 and 1981.

Almost nine out of ten people (88%) in this ward live in areas classified by the five most affluent ACORN Groups in Buckinghamshire.

Whitchurch is one of the least deprived areas within the country, falling within the top 2% nationally for overall levels of least deprived areas.

Low levels of employment within the village and parish, although nearby Aylesbury provides a range of employment sites.

Broadband speeds vary throughout the village ranging from 1.29 to 6.57, showing a ‘fair’ coverage.

Villagers have access to a relatively frequent bus service between Buckingham and Aylesbury.

The village is served by basic facilities and has a few key services for villagers specifically a primary school, pub, village store and doctors surgery.

There is a relatively equal split in housing types between semi‐detached/terraced and detached. Only 2% of the parish are a flat/apartment.

The price band with the most sales was between £225,000 and £250,000. Annual dwelling sales have fallen since 2009.

In Whitchurch parish, there are 7 households on the waiting list for Council housing.

Low levels of crime, particularly when compared nationally.

Wastewater network works are likely to need updating if future development took place.

5. Issues facing the Parish

The following issues have been identified through the Winslow and District Local Area Plan (draft) and public consultation for the Parish Plan which is currently being written. This is not a comprehensive list of issues, but a starting point for discussion.

Public Transport

Whitchurch is served by the number 60 bus route with generally and hourly service. However the last bus leaves Aylesbury at 6.45pm, precluding passengers attending any evening events in Aylesbury and village/towns on route. As such an evening bus service has been identified to address this issue.

Traffic and Parking

Parking in the High Street is becoming an increasing concern. Cars are often parked on the pedestrian areas/ footpaths restricting access and limiting sight lines for other motorists. One suggestion is for school buses to pick up children at the south end of the High Street to reduce the number of cars at the school gate. Pedestrian crossing on the High Street would make it safer for pedestrians and possibly slow down motorists, making a safer environment. The need for traffic calming measures has also been identified as an issue. In addition there is a shortage of parking for Legion Hall.

Public Rights of Way

There is a lack of cycle paths towards the school.

Historic Environment

Protection of the historic environment is seen as a priority. There is also a lack of facilities for culture and art. In particular residents highlighted the lack of sculpture and artwork within the village.

Housing

The community consultation highlighted there is a need for more sheltered housing, first time buyer’s accommodation and family houses of 2‐3 bedrooms.

Young People

The lack of facilities for young people was raised as an issue in the parish plan consultation. Residents would like to see more facilities such as a skate park and computer facilities within the library for young people.

6. Parish Constraints

The parish has a number of historic and environmental constraints to be considered. These have been identified on the maps on the next few pages with explanations setting out definitions for each designation.

Historic Constraints Map

Conservation Area

A conservation area covers the majority of the settlement, excluding a small part of the northern end where newer development is located. Conservation Areas (CA’s) are designated by the Council to control development in areas of special character and historic or archaeological importance. The first CA’s were designated in 1967 and there are now over 8000 in England.

Listed Buildings

There are Fifty‐three listed buildings located within a 500m radius of Whitchurch (Heritage Gateway Online, 2010). Listed Buildings are listed by English Heritage and help and conserve the structure, use and setting of a building important to history or architecture. The older a building is the more likely it is to be listed.

Schedule Ancient Monument

A Scheduled Ancient Monument (Bolebec) is located either side of Castle Lane, towards the north of the settlement. Schedule Ancient Monuments are nationally important archaeological sites or historic buildings, given protection against unauthorised change.

Historic Land Uses

There is also a historic land uses located at the northern, western and southern boundary. This is currently where the sewerage works are located. Historic Land Use is where there are records of a previous development of historic importance, which are often no longer present.

Archaeological Notification Area

In addition a large area of Archaeological Notification Area covers the majority of the conservation area. These are areas within which there is specific evidence recorded on the Buckinghamshire Historic Environment Record indicating the existence, or probable existence, of heritage assets of archaeological interest.

Environmental Constraints Map

Surface Water flooding

Whitchurch is relatively unconstrained by environmental constraints. Due to its hilltop location there are no flooding constraints, although there are areas of potential surface water flooding along Oving Road. Surface water flooding occurs during high rainfall events when the drainage capacity is likely to be exceeded.

Notable Species Site

There are various Notable Species Site within and around Whitchurch. These are locations of Important Ecological Species set out by the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Biological Records Centre. The Notable Species are sensitive information and as such the species of wildlife cannot be stated in the fact pack. However, the Environmental Records Centre can be contacted to given a case‐by‐case response – contact [email protected]. The Centre also has an information request form that people can fill in to provide the details of their search enquiry. This can be downloaded from their website at the following address: http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk/partnership/BucksMKERC/data_search.page

Biological Notification Site

A Biological Notification Site is located between Castle Lane and the High Street. Biological Notification Sites preceded Local Wildlife Sites as a local non‐statutory designation. All Biological Notification Sites are in the process of being re‐surveyed and assessed under Local Wildlife Site criteria.

Tree Preservation Orders

Tree Preservation Orders are dispersed in small pockets with a concentration by Mount Pleasant. These are orders established by the Council for either individual trees or groups of trees and woodlands. They prevent trees being lopped/topped or uprooted that are particularly attractive or important to the character of the area. Particular hedgerows may also be important but are covered under separate regulations.

Landscape Character Assessment Map

From looking at the map on the following page Whitchurch Landscape character and sensitivity can be identified.

Landscape Character and Sensitivity

A Landscape Character Assessment was produced in May 2008. The assessment covers the whole of Aylesbury Vale District outside of the built up areas of Aylesbury, Buckingham, Haddenham, Winslow and Wendover and groups landscape into 79 landscape character areas and 13 landscape character types covering landscape, visual, historic and ecological considerations. The landscape character type for Whitchurch is described as low hills and ridges (type 09) with Vale landscape towards the south (type 08).

The Areas of Sensitive Landscape study (2008) followed up the Landscape Character Assessment looking specifically at the sensitivity of areas to change and new development. The following criteria determine how sensitive an area is; landscape quality, scenic quality, rarity, representativeness, conservation interests and wildness. There are four categories of sensitive landscape identified in the Areas of Sensitive Landscapes study – the higher the percentage shown on the map, the more sensitive a landscape is likely to be to new development. Whitchurch has a landscape sensitivity of 90‐100%, showing that the landscape sensitivity to be high.

Agricultural Land Map

Agricultural Land

The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) provides a method for assessing the quality of farmland to enable informed choices to be made about its future use within the planning system. It helps underpin the principles of sustainable development. DEFRA produced guidance on the ALC in the planning system in 1998 and the most up to date data, was produced by Natural England in 2002.

Whitchurch falls within the Agricultural Land Classification grade 2 for the vast majority of the settlement and adjoining land. At the southern end of the High Street a few dwellings fall within Grade 3. There is a presumption that this land is grade 3a unless further research proved the soils to be grade 3b.

Topography

The contours on the map show land heights at 5 metre vertical intervals from Ordnance Survey maps. Land heights are above ordnance datum (sea level). Whitchurch sits 140 metres above sea level.

Whitchurch’s facilities, connections and infrastructure

The map on the following page shows Whitchurch in the context of its transport connections, infrastructure and facilities. As discussed within section 3, Whitchurch has a few key facilities and some limited employment within the parish. Whitchurch High Street lies on a main road, the A413 connecting Aylesbury and Buckingham, smaller roads lead to Cublington, Oving and Pitchcott.

1 4 5 135 5 0 2 0 0 5 1 1 Wh1 itchurch Agricultural Lan2 d Use Classification and Topogrpahy 1 2 1 0 1

1 0 1 1 5 1

05 115 1 1 55

5 2 1 120 5 1 10 1

0 0 15 0 2 1 0 3 1 115

3 1

5 3

5 0 4 1

5 5 1 25 4 1 1

0 40 6 1 1

1 1 2 5 5 5 155

115

105

5 4 1 0 135 1 5 5 1 5

3 1 1 30

1 0 10 13

0 3 1

0 95 0 1 100

Key Contour Lines 85 Parish Bo95undary 90 0 250 500 1,000 Meters Agricultural Land Classification GRADE 2 ´ GRADE 3 © Crown Copyright an d database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019797. 5 GRADE 4 85 5 9 1:15,099 8 Grade 3b 5 0 8 9 100 0 0 5 1 8 105 Whitchurch Environmental Constraints

Whitchurch CP

Key

Parishes 050100 200 300 400 500 600 TPO Metres Flood Plain This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her ´ Majesty's Stationery Office. Areas Suseptible to Surface Water Flooding © Crown copyright. % Notable Species Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 1:16,000 Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 Biological Notification Sites Whitchurch Historic Constraints

Whitchurch CP

Key

Parishes Conservation Areas 0 50100 200 300 400 500 600 Listed Buildings Scheduled Ancient Monuments Meters This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the Archaeological Notification Areas permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ´ © Crown copyright. Historic Land Use Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright New Potential Contaminated Land and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 1:14,000 Whitchurch Landscape

Key

Parish Boundary Landscape Sensitivity 0 - 50% 50 - 75% 75 - 90%

0 200 400 800 Meters 90 - 100% Low Hills and Ridges Shallow Valleys © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019797. Vale 1:16,000 ´ District Boundary Whitchurch Infrastructure and Transport Connections

Key

Adopted AVDLP 2004 Sites Employment Facility Retail Service

0 50 100 200 300 Bus Stops

Metres Public Rights of Way This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Public Rights of Way © Crown copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright ´ Principal Bus Routes and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aylesbury Vale District Council 100019797 2010 1:5,000 Main Roads Annex 1: Housing Waiting List

Annex 2: References

Local Plans Source AVDC Community Led http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/community‐living/community‐ Planning led‐planning/ Community Led Plans ‐ www.clp‐se.org.uk South East Rural Communities Council Local Area Plans http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/our_communities/local_area_plans. page Statistics ACORN ward profile Paper copy. Buckinghamshire County Council, March 2010

Local Area Profile Paper copy, AVDC, 2006 Employment Land Study http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ 2008 plans/planning‐policy/withdrawn‐core‐strategy/avldf‐evidence‐ base/employment‐evidence/aylesbury‐vale‐employment‐land‐study‐ march‐2008/?LGNTF=71 ONS www.ons.gov.uk BCC education Paper Copy. BCC Cabinet report from May 2010. Also information from BCC, December 2010 School Location http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/schools/ea_Name_search.page Doctors Information from database held by the Primary Care Trust, October 2010 Housing Hometrack http://www.housingintelligence.co.uk/ (membership required) Completions AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing)

Commitments AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing)

Affordable Housing AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) Completions No. Parish Dwellings AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) (Housing Stock) Rural exception schemes AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) Employment Losses and gains in last AVDC monitoring data, 2010 (ongoing) five years (B1,2, and 8)

Environmental Constraints Listed buildings http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/

Maps AVDC, December 2010. Produced using ArcMap with license from Ordnance Survey

Conservation Areas and http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ Management Plans plans/planning‐policy/supplementary‐planning‐ documents/conservation‐area‐supplementary‐planning‐document/ Green Infrastructure Aylesbury Vale Green http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/parks‐open‐ Infrastructure Strategy spaces/aylesbury‐vale‐green‐infrastructure‐strategy/ 2011‐2026

Buckinghamshire Green http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/strategic_planning/green_infrastruc Infrastructure Strategy ture.page

AVDC Green Spaces http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure‐culture/planning‐policy‐ Audit guidance‐17/‐green‐space‐audit/

Transport Public transport stops http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Maps/Real‐ time‐bus‐map.aspx Bus time tables http://www.transportforbucks.net/Buses‐and‐trains/Bus‐ timetables.aspx Community Transport http://www.alt‐transport.org.uk/schemes_av.asp Schemes Other Settlement audit 2008 http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local‐development‐ plans/planning‐policy/withdrawn‐core‐strategy/avldf‐evidence‐ base/miscellaneous‐evidence/review‐rural‐settlement‐hierarchy Aerial Photography http://maps.google.co.uk/maps Population stats from AVDC, 2010, paper copies available on request for the last 5 censuses 1951