LartingtonPA R I S H P L A N summary and Action Plan July 2005

PREPARED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF LARTINGTON, DISTRICT, LartingtonPA R I S H P L A N summary and action plan July 2005

PREPARED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF LARTINGTON, TEESDALE DISTRICT, COUNTY DURHAM contents introduction 1

the Questionnnaire planning and development 2

access to democracy 4

historic environment 4

natural environment and countryside 5

services 6

transport and traffic 7

what happens now? 8

Action Plan planning and diversification 9 summary historic environment 9

natural environment and access to the countryside 10

services 11

energy and waste management 11

transport and traffic 12

access to democracy 13

acknowledgements 14 introduction

Parish Plans are an initiative run by The Countryside Agency under the ‘Vital Villages’ scheme. It is intended that all villages and parishes across and Wales will undertake such an exercise. A Parish Plan is based on a comprehensive appraisal of local needs, including social, environmental and economic issues. The Plan is based on a gathering together of existing information and legislation relevant to the parish, which is then combined with the results of a questionnaire to assess community feelings and needs on a variety of issues. All of this is tempered with impartial professional advice. Crucially, Parish Plans are produced by the parish, not by any outside agency.

Once complete and adopted by the planning authority, The Parish Plan is in two parts Parish Plans can influence new development and the social and economic aspects of parish life. The actions 1 This summary and Action Plan, setting out in brief identified in the Plan are, however, for the most part, the identified actions and projects to improve the aspirations identified as the wish of the majority from village. questionnaire responses. The actions identified can only happen through further hard work, pursuit of grant aid 2 The Issues Report, a long and detailed document and the goodwill of local landowners, individuals and with background information and the full Questionnaire statutory bodies. The Parish Plan does, however, provide results identifying the issues of concern to the local a powerful and persuasive democratic voice to support community. future action for the benefit of the parish. The Issues Report has involved all sections of the In 2002, a Steering Group of local residents was set up community. A Parish Questionnaire survey was by the Parish Council to prepare the Lartington Parish distributed to all households in Lartington in May 2002. Plan. Meetings of the Group were advertised and all Feedback from the Questionnaire has helped the residents were free to attend. Steering Group to analyse the issues identified by residents. We thank all those people who have taken the trouble to let us have their ideas. A copy of the Issues Report can be obtained form the parish clerk, is available in library and on line at http://Lartington.net 2 the Questionnaire

Full results and statistics from the Questionnaire occupy planning and development many pages and are provided in the Issues Report. In brief, some 60% of those on the Electoral Register The Teesdale Local Plan Proposals Map shows that all replied. Their completed Questionnaires were passed of Lartington village is a designated Conservation Area. to an independent body (Durham Rural Community Lartington Hall, and the surrounding land of Lartington Council) who collated the results. The Steering Group Park to the east and south, is also designated as a then prepared chapters on the identified key themes. The Historic Park and Garden. Many of the houses are Listed draft chapters were each passed to the Parish Council Buildings. These designations all reflect the high quality and to a second independent consultant (England & Lyle of the local environment and, while not preventing Chartered Town Planners of ) to ensure development, do provide constraints and safeguards chapters accurately reflected the Questionnaire results that it should be to a high standard. and that all comments were integrated and avoided repetition. Once adopted, this Parish Plan will be incorporated into the emerging Local Development Framework as a The following headings summarize the chapters of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and be taken Parish Plan Issues Report, and the identified action account of in all future planning decisions by the local points for each are provided in the tables that follow. planning authority.

The questionnaire identified that residents believed there was limited scope for any new build, and those buildings suitable for conversion to domestic occupation had largely been converted already. Allowing for this, there was significant support for the use of traditional materials and architectural styles in extensions and any new buildings. The subject of buildings at risk was raised; and action to conserve or find new uses for redundant traditional buildings, such as field barns, was identified as a concern. There was also a general feeling against any additional caravan developments or other activities which would disturb the tranquil environment treasured by many. 3

Lartington village, showing Listed Buildings, Conservation Area and part of the historic parkland 4 Cup-and-ring carved rocks

The Deepdale stone man access to democracy historic environment

Lartington Parish Council was formed in the 1970s. It is Lartington village has ancient origins and is mentioned in made up of seven members, with elections every four the Domesday Book of 1086. Remains of even older years. prehistoric occupation can be found across the parish at West Loups and The Rigg, in the form of cup-and-ring The Council does not have a community hall in which to carved rocks some 5,000 years old and many of which meet, and there is a problem with communication of are now protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. information because the parish notice board is both in a The land around the village has been farmed for over poorly accessible spot on the verge of the former village 1,000 years, with extensive areas of former arable rig- green and has collapsed and needs to be replaced as a and-furrow still to be seen, now preserved under pasture. matter of urgency. Consideration also needs to be given Much of the unique character of Lartington today derives to the best location for the notice board. The develop- from the rebuilding and land improvements of Lartington ment of a website in support of the Parish Plan does Hall and estate in the 18th and 19th centuries. At this provide an extra opportunity for posting parish time, the farming land around the village was enclosed information in future to supplement the notice board. with dry-stone walls and hedges, and a fashionable park with specimen tree plantings such as Cedars of Lebanon In the absence of a community building, voting takes and Wellingtonia was created around the Hall and village. place in for national and regional elections. The distinctive character of the buildings of parish and village is to be found in the use of local sandstone and The Questionnaire suggested that most residents were stone slate roofs. content with present arrangements, but action needed to be taken on providing better dissemination of information, The historic feature which concerned most people in the and councillors needed support and training to help with Questionnaire is the stone and iron beck aqueduct over increasingly onerous requirements from central the railway line to Cat Castle. This is a listed building and government. a rare and valuable structure, both as a piece of railway heritage but also as the water source for both the former village green pond and the existing pond to the east of the Hall. The single largest historic environment issue identified is that of the now overgrown village green. While many residents would like to see this space restored in some fashion, with benefits to amenity value, road safety and nature conservation; concerns were also expressed by a minority, in particular Lartington Estate who own left The village pond and Green around 1900, looking east from the land and who do not currently wish Wesley Cottage. Beech Cottage is in the centre background to see any restoration. right The same view in 2005 5

natural environment and countryside

Lartington Hall Gill Beck View to Cotherstone Moor

The landscape of Lartington parish is diverse. It ranges from the in the east and rises to include improved pasture and wooded gills, semi-improved Cedars of Lebanon pasture and moorland to the west, where it meets the and Wellingtonia Cumbrian border. Such a range of landscape types in the historic parkland provides a wide variety of habitats for our wildlife. The around the Hall parish has important resident bird populations, including the rare black grouse, and is of particular value to wintering and breeding wading birds such as peewit and curlew, now nationally rare.

The east of Lartington parish is especially rich in woodland cover along the Tees and Deepdale Valleys, an important habitat for many plants and animals. These woodlands provide exceptional habitats for many species, including badgers. Field margins, such as hedges and left The Village Stores walls, are an important refuge habitat for farmland plants right The Flatts and animals and provide wildlife corridor habitats for animals. The majority of the inhabited areas of our parish are surrounded by improved pasture land.

The aqueduct 6

services

The countryside provides the major sources of The parish does not have a community building, employment in the parish, from farming and game communal meeting space or any play area for young shooting to horse-riding. children.

There are currently 39 Public Rights of Way in Lartington. There are no longer any shops in Lartington parish. The Most of these are in good condition. There are, however, nearest village shop is at Cotherstone. Barnard Castle, opportunities to improve the path network for the benefit two and a half miles away, provides the majority of basic of residents and walkers. Durham County Council has a needs typical of a market town. The village possesses a new duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act telephone box and a post box, which is particularly well 2000 to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan, in used by several home workers. which issues raised in the Parish Plan can be addressed. This may involve interested parishioners becoming The education of children in the parish at primary level members of the County Parish Paths Improvement is usually provided at Cotherstone but also Initiative. schools. At secondary age, pupils travel to Teesdale School. Private education is available at Barnard Castle The questionnaire identified a wide variety of community School. concerns and proposals. These ranged from getting the maximum benefits from DEFRA and the Forestry Authority for landowners wishing to restore hedges and pasture, to desires to see more verge planting of wild flowers and encouragement of wild life. More problematic concerns were raised over the issue of introduced species and the restoration of the village green.

Rig-and-furrow cultivation surviving under pasture 7

transport and traffic

Lartington currently enjoys supplies of mains gas and Lartington benefits from an hourly bus service to electricity, but sewage in the village is disposed of Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale. There are through septic tanks. four main bus stops in Lartington on opposite sides of the road, but these stops are fairly basic with no shelter While replies to the Questionnaire were realistic, that facilities and one at least is considered to be dangerous Lartington is only a small village with limited scope to by those residents who use it. provide additional services, an increasing number of families with children have requested that the feasibility There are three community transport schemes operating of a small park or community building is investigated, in the area around Lartington. even if this proves untenable. Those responding to the Questionnaire also requested that, where possible, more The need for a speed limit of 30 mph was first raised by community events or projects were organized, such as the Parish Council in 1985. The question regarding the the Jubilee Party or to help those interested investigate speed limit provoked a high level of response in the such things as their local history and heritage. The questionnaire with the great majority (50 out of 53) possibility of mains sewage was also raised and favouring the introduction of a speed limit. Initial provision is to be investigated with . discussions with the County Council and the Police

Lartington parish, from the River Tees in the east to the high moors of the county boundary in the west 8 what happens now?

Authority suggest a speed limit can be introduced, but The views of residents and the actions identified in the that this should be accompanied by discrete traffic Parish Plan now need to be taken forward. The produc- calming measures to create a wider more village-like tion of the Plan, in itself, will not achieve anything without feeling. These might include such measures as less further work by the community. While the Parish Council ‘motorway like’ street lights and more care and provides a forum and a means of investigating and acting management of the former village green area on the on several issues, hopefully the views expressed in this south side of the road. Plan will provide guidance to the District and County Councils, and to local home and land owners as well. The Plan may even provide inspiration for members of the parish to get together on specific issues. It is important, however, that the voices of all members of the parish are heard and that, without hampering the expressed needs and desires of the majority, all concerns are taken note of when taking forward actions identified in this Plan.

Grant aid is available on a wide variety of countryside, transport and rural issues at present, and the Action Plan will be of great assistance in accessing such funds.

The Plan also has a limited life and it is strongly suggested that it is reviewed in the future, both to reflect any successes and in addressing the changing needs of the community of Lartington. This may also provide an opportunity to reflect the Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Lartington on which, at the time of writing, work has commenced. Action Plan summary 9

For each topic a schedule is included in the Parish Plan, listing actions and projects which could be undertaken by the Parish Council together with policies, decisions and actions which could be carried out by other bodies. A total of 49 projects are listed.

planning and diversification historic environment

HD1 There should be a presumption against new HE1 Investigate means of providing Information on the conversions, unless it can be demonstrated that archaeology and history of the parish through they enhance the character of the parish and lectures, guided walks, publications and the provide a new lease of life to otherwise derelict internet. Create community history project. buildings with no sustainable use. HE2 Encourage the owner of the railway aqueduct (a HD2 External elevations should use traditional building Grade II Listed Building) to seek specialist materials to reflect the local character of the parish. conservation advice and assistance with repair and Design should be high quality and reflect local maintenance. architectural traditions. HE3 Work with partners and Lartington Estate to explore HD3 There is little support for low cost housing within and prepare a restoration and maintenance scheme the parish, and any proposals are likely to be for the village green and pond, reflecting concerns rejected by residents unless they can provide on sustainability, personal and community safety. creative design solutions which will retain Lartington’s local distinctiveness. HE4 Ensure appropriate design of signage, lights and street furniture to safely reflect and enhance village HD4 Work with Teesdale District Council and DEFRA to historic character, whilst contributing to road safety provide advice to local landowners on diversifica- improvements. tion and the funding opportunities available through open days or seminars. HE5 Maintain historic boundary features, such as hedgerows and walls, encourage use of agri- HD4B Produce a list of buildings at risk and include any environment scheme funding, and identify historic buildings which might be suitable for conversion. trees worthy of TPO protection.

HD5 Any forms of diversification which are noisy or which detract from the environment, or any proposals for additional caravans, should be recommended for refusal of planning permission (LPA decision).

HD6 Contribute to the development of the Lartington Conservation Areas Character Appraisal. 10

natural environment and access to the countryside

NE1 Approach DEFRA to target Lartington parish with NE12 Liaise with MoD regarding grassland management financial incentives to restore unimproved grass- at Battle Hill. lands and hedgerows. NE13 Liaise with Northumbrian Water regarding NE2 Ensure landowners are aware of Woodland Grant restoration of sludge plant to grassland. Schemes and Stewardship Schemes to grant aid improved management of woodlands. NE14 Liaise with Glaxo regarding wildflower planting in verges. NE3 Durham County Council to offer management agreements for woodland sites. NE15 Provide information on creating hedgehog-friendly gardens on website. NE4 Explore funding options for Parish Council to acquire land of conservation interest. NE16 Liaise with Lartington Estate regarding the usefulness of a Tree Warden scheme – pass NE5 Bird box scheme to continue and possibly expand. names of potential tree wardens to DCC.

NE6 Monitor effects on wildlife when Cat Castle quarry NE17 Explore funding for additional non-invasive goes into production. planting on village verges and public areas.

NE7 Update surveys of amphibians, particularly at High NE18 Approach Lartington Estate to seek a review of and Low Pond. their position on the restoration of the Village Green and pond. NE8 Review management of American Crayfish. NE19 Pass on comments on open access to the NE9 Repair of aqueduct to ensure water supply for Countryside Agency and explore entering into village stream. County Council Parish Paths Partnership.

NE10 Ensure permission is obtained if protected species NE20 Pass on suggestions for new routes to Durham are likely to be disturbed. County Council as part of Rights of Way Improvement Plan (response to CROW Act 2000). NE11 Organise guided nature walks. 11

services energy and waste management

SLR1 Investigate levels and medium for improving the EW1 Ensure people in the parish are aware of the dissemination of community information. Teesdale Renewable Energy Challenge (TREC), available advice and grant aid. SLR2 Carry out an initial investigation into the feasibility of funding the development and ongoing support EW2 Ask Northumbrian Water to quote for mains of a community building, and establish if there installation, and explore evidence of septic tank would be support for such a project. outfalls into local watercourses. Arrange a shared septic tank emptying scheme. SLR3 Arrange for the mobile library to include Lartington on its route on a trial basis and promote the service to the local community.

SLR4 Carry out an initial investigation into the feasibility of developing a play area.

SLR5 Encourage more community functions from guided walks to parish parties. 12

transport and traffic

PT1 Needs analysis – what services do people require TM/RS1 Parish Council to convene a meeting with DCC transport to, and how could buses be better to review current arrangements at Deepdale targeted towards local needs? Bridge.

PT2 Look at issue of bus fare costs with DCC and TM/RS2 Discussion with DCC and relevant landowners transport provider. to consider problem of tree growth at Deepdale Bridge. PT3 Explore a parish transport grant to retime the buses to fit in with local needs. TM/RS3 Present a renewed case for a speed limit and discuss how this may be carried out and PT4 Look at the potential for flexible transport services funded. in Lartington, which would operate like a taxi but with bus fares. TM/RS4 Carry out initial investigation into the feasibility of improving the appearance and amenities of PT5 Investigate the possibility of a local cycling route in south side of village. the parish. TM/RS5 Carry out initial investigation into widening the PT6 Investigate the possibility of traffic calming pavement on the north side of the village. measures in the village. Investigate other measures, such as Quiet Lanes. TM/RS6 Present a renewed case for pavement and kerbing improvements in the area between the PT7 Investigate the possibility of establishing a safer bus railway bridge and The Flatts. stop, particularly at the top of the village. Talk to the Infrastructure team at Durham County Council and TM/RS7 Consider signage arrangement for warnings in see if the parish can obtain a parish transport grant regard to horse traffic. to establish their own shelter in this area. 13

access to democracy

D1 The Parish Council to explore means of maintaining the website as a mechanism for disseminating minutes, agendas and Parish Plan updates.

D2 Replace the parish notice board as part of the scheme to restore the village green or, alternatively, create a formal area around the replaced notice board to include the bus stop and seating for residents to use. If either of the above proves not possible, consider relocating the notice board elsewhere in the village.

D3 Explore the creation of an induction process for parish councillors with the Enterprise Agency and the District Council. 14 acknowledgements

Many people have helped in the production of the Parish Plan, and thanks go to all residents of Lartington parish who both were members of the Steering Group and who replied to the Questionnaire.

Grateful thanks also go to

Teesdale District Council David Hand . Sarah Jacks . Trevor Watson . Pat Graham

Durham Rural Community Council

Dr John England of England & Lyle Planning Consultants

The Countryside Agency

Durham County Council Julie Stobbs . Dave Ranner . Leah Webster

Mr Parkin Raine for historic photographs

Northumbrian Water

Defence Estates

Governors of Cotherstone Primary School

English Nature Miriam Baines

Barnard Castle Bird Club John H Wood

cover images upper Ornance Survey map, first edition, 1856 / medieval carved stone head, Deepdale / Tower House and The Thatch c 1900 lower Rig-and-furrow cultivation, looking towards The Rigg / The Flatts / winning entry by Ben Sartin for Jubilee Year competition, ‘What I would like Lartington to look like’ published 2005 Lartington Parish Council

design Christina Unwin

printing Alphagraphics, Durham

All maps in this document are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping Crown copyright and reproduced courtesy of Teesdale District Council LA 079685

Lartington parish on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1857