Neighbourhood Plan Survey Report Colmworth

Neighbourhood Plan Survey Report

Colmworth

August 2015

Completed by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity

This report is the joint property of Bedford Borough Council and Colmworth Parish Council.

For further information contact Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, The Old School, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3SX.

1. Introduction

1.1 About this survey

The parish of Colmworth is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan laying out its own local planning policies, which will come into force provided that the Plan passes an independent examination and is approved at a local referendum.

The Colmworth Neighbourhood Plan steering group requested for a survey to be carried out by BRCC to identify the views of the local community. A survey form (Appendix A) was delivered to all residents of 18 years of age and over, together with explanatory notes and a FREEPOST envelope to enable residents to return their completed survey to BRCC.

A total of 129 responses were received for analysis, out of a total of 312 residents who were eligible to respond, representing a response rate of 41%.

2. About Colmworth

2.1 Population and demographics

In 2011 in the parish of Colmworth there were 163 households containing 393 residents 1. This is an increase from 2001 when there were 153 households containing 367 residents. The age profile (compared to Bedford Borough) is shown below.

Age % Colmworth % Colmworth % Bedford 2011 2001 Borough 2011 0 – 4 5.6 4.1 6.4 5 - 15 13.5 13.1 13.7 16 - 17 1.5 2.5 2.7 18 – 29 9.4 7.7 15.1 30 – 39 9.7 12.9 13.3 40 – 49 18.3 19.3 14.9 50 – 64 25.2 24.1 18.1 65 – 74 10.2 8.7 8.1 75 - 84 4.8 6 5.5 85+ 1.8 1.4 2.2

Unusually for a Bedfordshire village, there has not been much change to Colmworth’s age profile over the last 10 years, other than a fall in those aged 30-39. However, the age profile is significantly older than the Bedford Borough average.

2.2 Household Composition

% Colmworth % Bedford Borough 1 person – pensioner 7.4 11.9 1 person – other 12.9 16.9 Couple – both 65+ 12.9 8.2 Family – without dependent children 32.5 26.9 Family – with dependent child(ren) 27.0 28.5 Other 7.4 7.5

Colmworth has proportionally more pensioner households and families without dependent children, and fewer people living alone, than the Borough average.

1 2011 census data – other data also from this source unless otherwise specified

2.3 Housing Tenure

% Colmworth % Bedford Borough Owned outright 34.4 31.4 Owned with mortgage/loan 41.1 34.3 Shared ownership 0.6 1.0 Social rented 14.1 16.1 Private rented 9.2 15.9 Living rent free 0.6 1.3

Colmworth has higher levels of owner occupation (around the 75% mark) than the Bedford Borough average, and lower levels of social and private renting.

2.4 Dwelling Types

% Colmworth % Bedford Borough Detached house 67.2 27.4 Semi-detached house 18.1 32.2 Terraced house 11.9 21.9 Flat 2.3 17.6 Caravan/other temp. accommodation 0.6 0.9

As with many Bedfordshire villages, there are relatively more detached houses, and relatively fewer flats, terraced and semi-detached houses, in Colmworth. This is likely to mean that there are relatively fewer affordable properties on the market.

2.5 Housing in poor condition

% Colmworth % Bedford Borough Overcrowded households 1.2 7.7 Households without central heating 1.2 2.0 Households in fuel poverty (2011) 11.0 11.3

Overcrowding counts as a housing need for households applying to join the Bedford Borough Housing Register. In 2011 the proportion of households in Colmworth classified as overcrowded was much lower than the Bedford Borough average.

Where central heating is not present, fuel poverty is statistically significantly more likely. The level of households in Colmworth without central heating is under the Bedford Borough average, however the level of fuel poverty is similar to the Borough average.

2.6 People on low incomes

6.6% of people in Colmworth are classified as “experiencing income deprivation”, well under the Bedford Borough average of 12.1%. 9.0% of working age people were claiming DWP benefits in August 2012, below the Bedford Borough average of 13.4%; and 7.6% of people over 65 were claiming pension credit, well under the Bedford Borough average of 21.0%.

2.7 Health and disability

Limiting illnesses and disabilities can affect the type of housing that people need in order to remain independent. 6.1% of those aged 65 and over in Colmworth are claiming Attendance Allowance (a non-means-tested benefit for severely disabled people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care), well under the Bedford Borough average of 15.7%. The proportion of the population claiming Disability Living Allowance is 3.6%, under the Bedford Borough average of 4.2%.

14.8% of people have a limiting long-term illness, just under the Bedford Borough average of 16.0%.

3. Housing

3.1 Types of housing needed in Colmworth

Respondents were asked what type(s) of new housing were needed in the parish (Q4). The % of respondents in favour of each specific type of housing was as follows:

Housing type % of respondents Flats 2 Smaller Houses 1-2 bedrooms 44 Detached / semi-detached houses 3 bedrooms 52 Larger detached houses 4+ bedrooms 24 Bungalows 43 Houses with workshops attached for cottage industries 22 Affordable housing - rented / shared ownership 34 Social housing 7 Sheltered accommodation for elderly people 22 Self-build houses 14 No new housing 21

There was a clear preference for 1-2 and 3 bedroom houses and bungalows.

3.2 Housing tenure needed in Colmworth

The % of respondents in favour of each type of tenure (Q5) was as follows:

Housing type % of respondents Purchase on the open market 88 Shared ownership (part own/part rent) with local people given 53 priority Shared ownership (part own/part rent) 18 Private rental 10 Affordable rental through a housing association, with local people 35 given priority Affordable rental through a housing association 8

There was a clear preference for purchase on the open market. Shared ownership and affordable rental received a fair amount of support provided that local people were given priority. There was little support for more private renting, or affordable rental or shared ownership open to all.

3.3 Amount of development

Respondents were asked how many new homes should be built in Colmworth in the next 15 years (Q6):

Number of homes % of respondents Number of homes % of respondents 0-10 35 51-75 2 11-25 37 76-100 5 26-50 19 100+ 2 Nearly three quarters of respondents did not want to see more than 25 new homes.

3.4 Distribution of development

Respondents were asked how they would prefer housing to be built (Q7) (respondents could tick more than one):

Housing type % of respondents Larger development(s) - 25+ dwellings 1 Larger development(s) - 15-24 dwellings 2 Medium developments - 10-14 dwellings 16 Number of smaller developments - 9 dwellings, or fewer 64 Individual homes / garden infill 56 No preference 4

There was a clear preference for smaller developments or infill. The comments provided by 24 respondents reflected this.

3.5 Local needs housing

Respondents were asked about the provision of a small development of affordable housing for local people based on identified need (Q8):

Size Yes (%) No (%) Up to 5 houses 74 26 Up to 8 houses 50 50 Up to 10 houses 37 63

There was clear majority support for a development of up to 5 houses. In the event of this not being feasible or a higher level of need being demonstrated, there was a 50/50 split regarding a development of up to 8 houses.

3.6 Location of development

Respondents were asked whether there were any locations in the parish that they thought might be suitable for new development (Q9), as well as locations or land classes that should not be built on. (Explanatory notes had been provided.)

A range of views were provided - on balance these can be summarised as follows:

• Build on land that does not obstruct existing countryside views • Build on brownfield sites, not agricultural land or green spaces (e.g. Country Park) • Infill vacant plots • Build within existing SPA (although differing views on whether this should be in the centre or ends of the village)

4. Amenities and facilities

4.1 Car parking / other amenities

52% of respondents (Q11) indicated that the village did not need any more car parking facilities or other amenities. Where comments were provided, the general view was that there was sufficient parking at locations such as the village hall and church.

17% of respondents advanced the view that more parking was needed in the church and/or Country Park area. 3% stressed the need for parking for new builds. 7% wanted to see additional facilities such as a shop, pub or Post Office.

16% did not answer the question.

4.2 Facilities for young people

26% of respondents felt that there was a need for improved facilities for young people (Q12), such as clubs and play equipment using existing amenities such as the village hall, playing field and Country Park.

20% of respondents did not believe that there was a need. Where comments were provided they generally indicated that existing facilities were sufficient. All other respondents either did not answer or did not feel qualified to answer due to not having dependent children.

4.3 Allotments

13 respondents (11%) would be interested in renting an allotment if land was available.

4.4 Quality of life factors

Respondents were asked (Q14) how each of a number of factors was important to the quality of their life and their decision to live in Colmworth. Responses by % broke down as follows:

Very Importan Not very Not Factors Neither important t important important Unspoilt Countryside 86 12 2 0 0 Peaceful, rural 88 11 1 0 0 environment Quiet, safe 93 7 0 0 0 neighbourhood Country Park 44 32 16 5 3 Facilities for leisure & 9 27 31 19 14 sport Community spirit 40 48 8 2 2 Local places of worship 21 29 23 15 12 Village clubs & societies 21 42 25 3 9 Local services 22 39 26 10 3 Public transport 25 28 25 13 9 Local footpaths 51 32 9 4 4 Local bridleways 40 29 15 8 8 While all factors clearly had some importance, it is clear that the tranquillity, safety and rurality of Colmworth are the primary quality of life factors for residents, valued by practically all respondents. A number of comments here and elsewhere in the form indicated that many residents appeared to be happy with Colmworth “as it is”.

Respondents were also asked (Q15) what amenities would improve their quality of life. The most popular were a shop (32%); pub (17%); faster broadband (12%); and Post Office (8%).

4.5 Residents considering leaving Colmworth

Residents were asked if they were considering leaving the parish in the next few years, and, if so, why. Responses roughly broke down as follows:

Response % of respondents No 60 Yes (typically due to advancing age) 8 Possibly, depending on scale / location of development 14 Possibly, depending on personal circumstances (e.g. advancing 10 age) No response 8

While most respondents were not planning to move, nearly a third felt that they would or might be moving in the future, either due to development in the village or personal circumstances (typically linked to lack of suitable accommodation and/or services for older people).

5. Businesses and employment

5.1 Working from home

36 respondents (28%) worked from home (Q17), a surprisingly high figure given that not all respondents would still be working. However, it is possible that some of these only work from home occasionally.

5.2 Businesses

18 respondents (14%) operated a business from the village. 12 respondents felt that the village could offer support to their business, particularly faster broadband (8 respondents).

42% of respondents felt that land should be reserved for businesses suited to Colmworth, to encourage local employment opportunities.

6. Conclusions

The predominant views of those responding to the survey can be summarised as follows:

• Colmworth should receive some housing development (up to 25 homes) over the next 15 years • These homes should be dispersed across a number of individual homes or small developments (up to 9 dwellings), with an emphasis on infill and brownfield sites • Most of the new homes should be 1-2 and 3 bedroom houses and bungalows (an alternative to the latter would be houses built to Lifetime Homes criteria) • Most homes should be offered on the open market, with 5-8 also made available to local people for affordable rent or shared ownership (possibly through a rural exception site development) • The overall tranquillity and rural feel of Colmworth must be protected • There is some limited support for a shop in Colmworth – broadband speeds are also clearly an issue for a significant minority of residents / businesses