Tintinhull Community Plan (TCP) Steering Committee 3
Tintinhull
Community Plan
1 of 36 July 2012 Contents
Forward 3
Tintinhull Community Plan (TCP) Steering Committee 3
Adopted by the Parish Council 3
Endorsed by South Somerset District Council 3
Introduction 4
Geography, historical background and village development 4
Village facilities and amenities 5
Character of the village 6
Demographics 6
The Process of Developing the Plan 7
COMMUNICATIONS 8
ACTIVITIES 12
SPORT AND LEISURE FACILITIES 15
YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN 17
ENVIRONMENT 20
ROADS AND TRAFFIC 22
COMMUNITY SAFETY 24
HEALTH AND WELLBEING 26
HOUSING 28
DESIGN STATEMENT 31
Appendix 1 - Flooding (Problem & Solution) 35
Map of the Civil Parish of Tintinhull 36
References
Tintinhull Neighbourhood plan by Yarlington Homes, refer http://www.yhg.co.uk/Libraries/Neighbourhood_Plans/ Tintinhull_Neighbourhood_Plan.sflb.ashx
2 of 36 July 2012 Forward
In 2010 it was recognised by the Parish Council (PC) that Tintinhull would benefit from a well researched and community led plan which could aid decision making by individuals, village groups and organisations, the Parish Council and local authorities. Many surrounding towns and villages already had such plans in place, so there was some concern that Tintinhull was late in seeing the need. However, as the plan has emerged, it has become increasingly apparent that with the advent of Localism and The Big Society, the plan will have an increasingly important role to play.
Volunteers came forward at the initial Community Consultation event to form a Steering Committee with men and women representing most areas of the village. South Somerset District Council responded immediately to a request for financial support, which has since been more than matched by the Parish Council. A huge amount of work has been done to analyse the results and develop meaningful responses to the issues raised, focusing on actions and with a priority on self- help wherever possible. Inevitably, much will fall to the Parish Council who must decide priorities for themselves, but the plan provides abundant evidence to inform that decision making. Additionally this plan can be used, together with those of similar villages in our area, to influence the direction and decisions taken at the strategic planning level by bodies such as South Somerset District Council (SSDC)
We were advised that turnout at the initial Community Consultation event was good for a village of our size and that the 65% return rate for the subsequent village-wide survey questionnaire was excellent, giving us confidence that the information gleaned could be considered representative for the whole community.
We are indebted to the Community Council for Somerset who have provided coaching on the Community Led process throughout. Without their patient guidance and encouragement, the outcome could have been very different.
Tintinhull Community Plan (TCP) Steering Committee Carolyn Ball Ray Cozens David Dalton Mike Eyre Richard Le Flufy Ed Lorch Peter Touch Kate Whitlock
Adopted by Tintinhull Parish Council
The Steering Committee has reported to the Parish Council at each monthly meeting on the progress of development of the plan. It was presented in full at an extraordinary meeting and a summary of actions was presented at the Annual Parish Meeting in April 2012.
At its meeting on 21st May 2012 Tintinhull Parish Council voted unanimously to adopt the plan subject only to the following caveat. The Council accepts that timescales shown for individual actions are realistic in isolation but the sum of all the actions may not be achievable by the dates given due to financial constraints and the Council’s capacity to implement. Where budgetary or other unforeseeable restrictions prevented a timescale being achieved then the Council will seek to prioritise in the spirit of the plan.
Endorsed by South Somerset District Council
SSDC values the work undertaken by local communities to identify priorities and plan for the future, and will be guided by local community plans wherever possible. The Tintinhull Community Plan was endorsed by South Somerset District Council’s Area North Committee in June 2012.
3 of 36 July 2012 Introduction
This plan describes the results of an extensive consultation exercise carried out in Tintinhull in 2011. The aim of the consultation was to involve local people in assessing the needs of their local area and to work towards developing actions and sustainable solutions to the identified issues. This approach reflects the recent understanding of the real benefits of local people working in partnership with local groups and businesses and the more formal agencies to maintain and increase the vitality of their area.
The consultation process has already been merged into the local community planning process in South Somerset (via South Somerset District Council Community Development Officer) and we intend that this work will feed into the local strategic partnership, made up of the local and regional organisations delivering services in the area.
A grant from South Somerset District Council has funded much of the work, with other direct costs being met by the Parish Council. The entire process was guided by the Community Council for Somerset, following national guidelines published by the charity Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). The work of other towns and villages that are planning their own futures in South Somerset and nationally have been used to guide and inform this action plan for our future. Our village plan contains a profile of the area covering a range of themes including Community Safety, Environment, Housing, Roads & Traffic, Communications, Sport & Leisure, Young People & Children, Health & Wellbeing and Activities.
The work leading to this report has been led by a local community planning group with wide- ranging membership with active support from officers of local agencies. A strength of the work has been the excellent co-operation between the Parish Council, South Somerset District Council and the Tintinhull Community Plan Group. Every part of the process has been led and endorsed by local people and this report summarises their vision, their views on the key issues, objectives and actions.
Our Vision Our vision for the village is to develop a safe and crime free environment in which community projects and activities can thrive. Through the involvement of all generations, families and individuals alike, we will create a progressive village that will encourage sensible growth without losing the close community spirit that is the hallmark of a friendly and welcoming village environment
Geography, historical background and village development
Tintinhull is a popular and attractive conservation village lying in a rural part of South Somerset, adjacent to the ancient Fosse Way now partly followed by the A303. The village is roughly four miles northwest of Yeovil and three miles southwest of the one-time Roman town of Ilchester. In addition to modern roadways, ancient pathways connect Tintinhull with the Fosse Way, Ilchester and with Montacute two miles to the south.
Tintinhull itself is sited on a low promontory set slightly inland from the Somerset Levels, between the flood plains of the River Yeo and Bearley Brook to the northwest and a tributary of the River Parrett, Wellhams Brook, to the south. Roads, lanes and tracks radiate from the centre of the village and place it in a clear relationship with the cultivated higher land and the lower grazing areas. The flat lands to the northwest are prone to flooding in heavy rains. Indeed, centuries ago salt flats stretched from the edge of Tintinhull all the way to the Severn estuary now an hour's drive to the north. The village lies close to Ham Hill, the largest hill fort in Britain, and roughly half way between Yeovil and Martock.
4 of 36 July 2012 In addition to being once the centre of an agricultural community, Tintinhull featured gloving as a significant local industry since the Middle Ages. A glove factory was set up during the 1870s but closed down in 2001 and the factory converted to town houses. 19th century residential expansion of the village to accommodate the factory workers took advantage of accessible high ground along Queen Street with the building of a terraced row of dwellings with good natural drainage. Subsequently, when further housing was needed, drainage considerations again played their part leading to development along Montacute Road, towards Wellhams Brook, and to the creation of Thurlocks and Southcombe Way. Elsewhere, in-filling within the older parts of the village has occurred progressively since the 1960s, when mains draining was introduced.
There are several small outlying groups of houses, particularly at Bearley (roughly 3/4 mile on the north side of the A303), as well as other occasional cottages and farmhouses. A small travellers' residential site was established 1/2 mile south west of the village in the 1970s.
The expanded A303 trunk route corridor immediately to the northwest of Tintinhull has become a major feature of the landscape and impinges on the community as it cuts the parish in two. Bunding has been used along one stretch of the trunk road to the west of the village, reducing the impact of traffic noise from that direction, though the rush and noise remain a significant intrusion at the north end of Queen Street. Commuter, commercial and especially holiday traffic on the A303 has progressively increased over the last 20 years to become a substantial nuisance within Tintinhull itself.
Village facilities and amenities
For a village of its size, Tintinhull has a rich variety of facilities and amenities. There is a Church of England Voluntarily Aided primary school with about 90 pupils on roll. The school occupies a building to which it moved in 1980. As well as having a hard playground, the school has a large adjoining grass play area.
The parish church avoided the fate of many similar parishes in Somerset. It was not rebuilt in the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries, and so it retains substantial evidence of each of the Gothic building styles. It was built in the very early years of the 13th Century. Part of the tower was added about 100 years later and the church was then finished in the early 16th century. There is a peal of 5 bells. The nave comfortably seats 120 people. The building has heating and is floodlit during evening hours of darkness. Churchwardens’ accounts survive unbroken for 245 years 1432-1678, and provide a flavour of village life.
The village has one public house, a working men's club, a residential home for the retired, boarding kennels and cattery, riding, livery stables and a garage. There is also a village hall with its own car park. The hall is used extensively by many organisations including a Drama Group (which produces an annual pantomime) and Pre-school, Ivy Club and many other clubs.
Other activities are catered for in the village - and in particular football clubs enjoy the use of a large sports field and pavilion. Allotments alongside the sports field are currently fully subscribed. The recreation ground in the village centre includes two excellent hard tennis courts and an open- air heated swimming pool. The tennis courts are leased to a village club who secured major funding in 2012 to resurface the courts and renew the fencing. The pool was first constructed before World War II and has been modernised, including filtration and heating equipment and can be booked for private parties including barbecues. The village has its own magazine, first produced in 1953 and circulated to over 200 households.
There is a well supported 10km run each summer and also a strong Royal British Legion branch which combines with the nearby village of Chilthorne Domer. The branch holds a popular annual flower show. Some time after the Tintinhull branch of the Women’s Institute folded, an informal group was formed known as the Phoenix Ladies which continues to thrive. 2011 saw the launch of a highly successful Open Gardens scheme which intends to run biennially. One of the largest organisations by membership is the Tintinhull Local History Group, which has it’s own web site http://www.tintinhull-localhistory.org.uk/.
5 of 36 July 2012 Character of the village
In the heritage heart of Tintinhull, in addition to the Village Green other open grassed areas include the recreation ground with the tennis courts, child’s play ground and the open air swimming pool. These together with a variety of established trees of differing ages, provide a conspicuous example of the virtue of preserving open space within a village. It is a characteristic which has also been reflected in the layout of the developments in the southern part of the village, much of which overlooks open countryside and the large sports ground.
Historic buildings, many of the 16/17C and of architectural distinction, occupy much of the residential space around the central open area. Almost all construction here is of Hamstone, forming the core of the Tintinhull Conservation Area, which extends for several hundred yards in all directions to encompass other distinctive examples of centuries old architecture including the church, Tintinhull House (a National Trust property with a renowned garden) and Tintinhull Court (the former parsonage house, partly dating back to the 12th century). The area includes the village's public house, village hall and working men's club and reaches out almost as far as the edge of the village school's grounds. Within the Conservation Area several footpaths and lanes lead from Farm Street and Church Street to adjoining pasture land and adjacent villages.
In the north of the Conservation Area, Queen Street runs half a mile from the village centre to meet the A303. Housing is an interesting and varied mixture of old and new, with most of the road frontage now occupied.
To the south of the village green, along St Margaret's Road and Vicarage Street, as far as and including Head Street, in-filling has taken up virtually all accessible frontage up to the existing approved development boundary, with predominantly modern houses and bungalows, mostly constructed of artificial stone. Further south, in Montacute Road, Thurlocks and Southcombe Way, housing is in some respects more uniform. More use has been made here of brick or rendered facing. Besides the former glove factory, the southern part of the village includes a childrens’ playground, cricket and football field and Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), adjoined by an area of public allotments.
The streets are characterised by buildings either immediately abutting the roadside or sited well back with strong boundary features formed by stone walls or hedgerows. The principle of providing open spaces within development areas has done much to avoid potentially stressful pressures which might otherwise arise from overcrowding.
With growth in the number of cars per household a lack of off-road parking space is a problem in several places. It is unfortunate that electrical as well as telephone services, throughout the village, are conveyed through overhead wiring networks, complete with post-mounted high level transformer units in some places.
Demographics
The following data are extracted from the ONS 2001 census records (1991 in parentheses). This will be updated when 2011 data is released, sometime after July 2012.
The village is recorded as having 408 (360) dwellings. Of these 66% (54%) were owner occupied. The remainder were rented, 20% (25%) forming part of Housing Association properties. There were 970 (1,000) inhabitants, 20% being children under the age of 16 and 18% (20%) of pensionable age. 68% (58%) of the residents of working age were in full or part-time employment and (15%) self-employed. 2% (5%) were unemployed, this being well below the national average.
This shows that occupancy, or people per dwelling, has dropped from 2.8 to 2.4. The 2001 census records that 24% of households are occupied by a single person. There is no information to show the perceived shift towards an aging population in Tintinhull, however a 2009 analysis of St Michael’s Ward, of which Tintinhull forms a part, shows a 20% increase in the over 65 population since 2001.
6 of 36 July 2012 The Process of Developing the Plan
Distillation & analysis of the information gleaned from the consultations and surveys formed a core part of the project. This ensured the project group grasped both the community issues and how they could be best addressed. All of the results have fed into the plan which has resulted in a robust statement of need with an appropriate and realistic action plan for the future.
Key events, consultations and surveys
• The initial Community Consultation event was held in January 2011, when the village Hall was filled with flip charts covering most of the themes and issues that are addressed in the plan that follows. These themes were suggested by the Community Council from their data base of many such plans around the county. To this were added further local topics to engage & encourage villagers to add their own ideas. • The substantial local contribution was then systematically sorted and assimilated in a cohesive fashion such that patterns began to emerge, as did clear gaps in the information available on key aspects of village life. Most notably, it was obvious that issues concerning the youth of the village were under represented. The project group expressed concern as to what other issues might have failed to emerge due to other under- representation or visitor unwillingness to be too open in public. • It was resolved to “fill the gaps” by a carefully crafted questionnaire which was delivered to every house in October 2011. Through personal collection, a 65% return rate was
secured. • In addition to the consultation further relevant information for the plan was gathered from examination of Office of National Statistics and a plethora of regional Quango and Local Authority reports and surveys. • Tintinhull Neighbourhood Plan produced by Yarlington Housing Group is acknowledged with issues and actions cross-referenced to ensure consistency of purpose.
The current status of the plan • The Plan should be expected to remain dynamic and constantly evolving. The village web site www.tintinhull.net will be the primary repository and regularly updated with the latest plan. • The actions contained within the plan will be presented at a specially convened Public Meeting in the summer of 2012. • Publicity has been wide-ranging and frequent with many “quick wins” acted upon, to encourage maximum engagement in the process. A full colour booklet will be delivered to every household in summer 2012.
7 of 36 July 2012 Communications
Our Aim
To ensure effective communications with all those within our parish by a variety of different methods so that everyone has the ability to access village information.
Consultation Results
A variety of different communication methods are needed to ensure that every villager within the parish has access to parish information.
Village communication is served by the village magazine – an independent self funding publication – two parish council notice boards; Montacute Road and Village Hall and by one general use notice board by the Village Hall.
Despite these it was felt that Montacute Road side of the village was ill served and needed a general public use notice board.
The use of the internet; web sites, emails as a means of communication is becoming increasingly popular and therefore the need to publicise and utilise the developing village website as an effective communication system is important.
The communication element of the TCP seeks to start to address these issues and to path the way forward for developing the communication needs of the whole village by a variety of means.
This part of the plan is in no way the solution to every communication issue but hopes that it will be a basis and get our community communicating on a whole range of issues.
The following objectives were derived from comments made during the initial Community Consultation Day held in January 2011.
Objective 1
To raise awareness of the village website as a source of information and promote its use.
Action By Timescale
Get Clerk of the Parish Council to add website to all village Parish Clerk Jun 12 paperwork/minutes.
Leaflet drop to all homes detailing website address and PC,TCP Completed information/categories and contacts for update.
Ask Village Magazine editor to add to front cover at first TCP, Editor Jul 12 & opportunity. ongoing
Ask all organisations to put information about their TCP, Ongoing organisation on the website. Organisations
Investigate how Facebook etc could be used to communicate TCP Oct 12 & with the youth of our community e.g to promote events. ongoing
8 of 36 July 2012 Objective 2
Be able to book the village hall via the village website.
Action By Timescale
Make village hall bookings diary available on-line and preferably VH Jul 12 bookable. Committee
Objective 3
Transition the existing village-wide email circulation list to the more flexible Tintinhull Updates feature on the web site by encouraging all villagers to register for this more flexible “opt-in” facility.
Action By Timescale
Ensure every household has the opportunity to register by TCP, Magazine Jun 12 & advertising in village magazine, on the web site, PC minutes, Editor, PC ongoing via community groups and on village notice boards.
Objective 4
To use the village website to recommend approved service providers within the village e.g. garages, plumbers.
Action By Timescale
Ensure every household is made aware of the facility by TCP, Jun 12 & advertising in village magazine, web site, PC minutes, via Magazine ongoing community groups, inclusion in leaflet drop (objective 1) and on Editor, PC village notice boards.
Objective 5
To ensure that new website initiatives/ideas are replicated in paper format for those that do not have access to computer facilities.
Action By Timescale
Publish monthly summary of changes in Village Magazine Magazine Editor, Jun 12 & and on village notice boards. Web Team, PC ongoing
9 of 36 July 2012 Objective 6
Set up a bulk buying scheme within the village for items such as fuel oil, energy, logs, and dry goods in order to reduce costs to individuals where possible.
Action By Timescale
Fuel oil scheme already now available, anyone interested should See web site Ongoing register with the scheme run by the Community Council for for details Somerset at http://www.somersetrcc.org.uk/oil-scheme.php. tintinhull.net
Encourage individuals and groups to use village web site to TCP Ongoing promote ideas by promoting in leaflet drop (objective 1), welcome pack (objective 7) etc. In particular, encourage volunteers to come forward to lead each idea.
Objective 7
Set up a welcome pack for people new to the parish, to include as a minimum: useful information on village clubs, local amenities both village and wider, e.g. post office, shops, schools, garage, library (inc. mobile.), Pubs, Working Men’s Club, Waste & Recycling collection days and local centre, newspaper delivery, bus stops/timetable etc; complementary copy of village magazine.
Action By Timescale
Village clubs and groups to be approached for latest details and Web Team Ongoing to establish a network to advise the Magazine Ediitor when new and Editor residents arrive.
Establish a Welcome Pack as described above, in both hard and Web Team Completed soft copy and agree with Editor who will deliver. Welcome Pack to be maintained by the Web Team.
Objective 8
Increase communication between the local constabulary and the parish community.
Action By Timescale
Encourage Beat Manager/PCSO to contribute a regular piece Beat Manager, Ongoing to Village Magazine, which should also be replicated on the PCSO & PC web site. (See Community Safety, Objective 1).
10 of 36 July 2012 Objective 9
Project the content of the Village Magazine into every home in the village, at least quarterly
Action By Timescale
The current months magazine will not be published on the web Editor, Web Jun 12 & site in order that the subscription and value is not undermined. Team ongoing However, back issues are to be published the following month.
Parish Council to fund at least one copy per quarter. PC Sep 12
Establish a network of delivery volunteers, ideally one per street. TCP, PC Jun 12 & ongoing
Objective 10
Additional notice boards to fill perceived communication gaps
Action By Timescale
Replace existing PC notice board on the old Glove Factory wall with a PC Sep 12 larger two part board that will serve as PC and public notice board.
To develop a notice board on the village website for use by residents Web Completed to advertise events/items for sale. Team
Objective 11
Establish effective broadband throughout the parish by supporting the Connecting Devon and Somerset broadband programme.
Action By Timescale
Promote the survey website in village magazine and website Editor, Web Ongoing and encourage parishioners to complete the survey. Team
Objective 12
To raise awareness of how the Parish Council is formed and how it works.
Action By Timescale
Article in village magazine and website explaining how the PC is formed, PC Sep 12 how it works, its responsibilities and where it sits in the government hierarchy. Include summary with member details in leaflet drop (obj. 1).
Parish Council to nominate a communications liaison person. PC Completed
11 of 36 July 2012 Activities
Our Vision
That increasing numbers of villagers are able to engage in their chosen sport and leisure pursuits without leaving the village and that other villagers take up new and rewarding activities as a result.
Consultation results
A relatively small proportion of the 567 survey respondents participate in current activities:
Current activities
Entertainment events in the Village Hall Entertainment organised by the Crown & Vic Carnival Flower shows Local History Group Church Prayer and Coffee Mornings Drama Group Phoenix Group Royal British Legion Tennis Ivy Club Pre-school Skittles Team Whist Bell ringing
0 50 100 150 200
However, a large majority indicated a desire to participate in a wide range of activities not currently available in the village. In many cases anecdotal evidence suggests people travel outside the village for these.
12 of 36 July 2012 New Activities
Post office Coffee shop and cafe for people of all ages Sale point for local food producers, artists, craftspeople Venue / cafe for young people Information centre Film evenings Art exhibition by local artists Book exchange Fitness Classes Cyber cafe - computer suite with wi-fi internet access Gardening Club Arts and Crafts Club Creative arts for children Saturday afternoon film club for children Book Club Dance club Computer Club Photography club Short Mat Bowls Wine appreciation club Breakfast / luncheon Club Stitchery club (knitting, quilting, etc.) Daytime talks Choir / singing Club Music Club Band Bridge Club Darts team Women's Institute
0 100 200 300 400 Respondents
Many of these activities rely on volunteers to start and keep them going and some can be run from private homes. However good meeting rooms available in the village, will further encourage their start-up. Some of these activities will require suitable instructors/leaders in order to start-up and publicity to attract participants. A few e.g. Gardening Club are a duplication of similar activities taking part in adjoining communities. As such it may be prudent to consult with those communities to avoid unnecessary weakening.
13 of 36 July 2012 Over 80 villagers volunteered to help organise activities. Their names and contact details are maintained by the TCP Steering Committee.
Sporting and Fitness activities
Sporting No. The apparent demand for new sporting activities would suggest all could succeed and some require no additional facilities. Members Rambling Club 105 of the former village Cricket Club advise that the club folded due to Cricket Club 92 the high level of pitch maintenance falling on a diminishing number Short Mat Bowls 65 of willing volunteers. Cycling Club 52 Netball Club 30 Fitness No. Pilates 18 Many of these keep fit activities require some privacy and tranquillity for Zumba 15 participants to gain the full value from them. Changing areas are also Fitness classes 14 desirable. The numbers of respondents expressing an interest in keep fit activities in our survey would appear to provide sufficient participants to Yoga 12 make most of these activities viable. Aerobics 8
Objective
To encourage and foster new activities in the village and encourage the take up of others in adjacent centres. Outdoor activities on the Sports Field to be championed by a new PC sub- committee (see Sport & Leisure Facilities Objective 1). The top five new activities are facility dependent and await the outcome of the Village Hall refurbishment.
Action By Timescale
Rambling club (Tingel Walkers) launched at open meeting 27 Jan See web Completed (full details published on web site tintinhull.net). site
Known cyclists to be invited to promote a club. TCP Sep 12
PC to investigate adding cricket ground maintenance to the sports PC, Former Mar 13 field maintenance contractor. Then to ask former Cricket Club cricket club members to consider reforming with added youth team. members
A netball club can only start-up once the MUGA is playable. Sports Netball Apr 13 field sub-committee to engage the netball volunteer(s) with the volunteer(s) MUGA refurbishment campaign.
Short mat bowls requires the day-time use of the village hall and most of the under-stage area would be needed for mat storage. Unless and until the Pre-school can be accommodated elsewhere, this activity cannot start-up.
Find and encourage lead enthusiasts for new indoor activities, PC Ongoing which could be via proactive VH management committee or Sports Field sub-committee for the Sports Pavilion.
Promote programme of activities at Stanchester TCP May 12 http://www.1610.org.uk/timetables/11/stanchester-sports-centre/ and Huish Episcopi http://www.huishleisure.co.uk.
14 of 36 July 2012 Sport & Leisure Facilities
Our Vision
Tintinhull is well provided for with sporting facilities, having a swimming pool, tennis courts, football and cricket pitches with changing facilities/sports pavilion and a multi use games area. Leisure facilities include two children’s play areas, a recreation area, allotments, a village hall, a working men’s club with skittle alley and a Public House. These are all well used today but the village hall is aging and although it has an excellent sized main auditorium and stage, it has only one limited size meeting room and very basic kitchen facilities. Our vision:
• that the village has a modern hall that is large enough and sufficiently well equipped for the next 50 years to accommodate new activities and facilities that the survey indicated were desirable. • that the range and quality of other sports, leisure and cultural facilities for residents of all ages continues to develop and be used by more villagers, thereby enriching the lives of the whole community.
Consultation Results.
The respondents to the survey rated the facilities provided by the Parish and District Councils as follows: Rate facilities
Sports field
Rec. / play area
Montacute Road play area Good Reasonable Multi-Use Games Area Poor No opinion Tennis Courts
Swimming Pool
0 125 250 375 500 Respondents Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is seen as a key asset to the village and was therefore the subject of more specific questions about its use. Over 200 people use the pool, albeit the majority (69%) only occasionally, with the weather being the main reason why it is not used more frequently. Other reasons within the control of the management of the pool cited were the opening times (56%), the water temperature (24%) and cost (15%). 24 respondents had concerns about child care and 9 did not think it was clean enough. The detailed analysis has been passed to the Swimming Pool Committee for consideration.
Church
The Vicar and Churchwardens welcome and encourage the use of the Church by the community for a wide range of appropriate events. Organisers should contact one of the Churchwardens.
15 of 36 July 2012 Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
The playing surface of the MUGA suffered major weed infestation soon after construction. The contractor went out of business, so the Parish Council had no recourse for remediation. Estimates for refurbishment (re-construction) are in excess of £10,000 which is hard to justify given previously demonstrated usage. However, the survey results reveal a community wide desire for a wide range of activities that could make use of the MUGA, some such as Netball exclusively so.
Sports Pavilion
The recently constructed function room extension to this village asset is currently disused and has the potential to host a number of new activities. This needs to be put to good use.
Village Hall
Within the village hall, the size and proportions of the auditorium and stage meet or exceed the needs of the village now and into the future. However, at present the village hall only has a small, narrow meeting room which cannot be used when the main hall is being used by the Pre-school, which severely restricts daytime use. The kitchen is poorly configured and fails to meet present day expectations. Facilities for the less able are inadequate. Added to these shortcomings, the survey revealed demand for a wide range of new indoor activities; of particular note is the number of respondents who would like to have a coffee shop and related facilities in the village. This sort of facility would need volunteers to run it and a suitable venue. Such a venue could only be provided if the village hall refurbishment plans are modified accordingly.
Objective 1
Improve the standard of those facilities rated poor by over half of all respondents and bring the Sports Pavilion into beneficial use
Action By Timescale
Form a sub-committee of the PC to promote and manage all of the PC Sep 12 facilities contained within the sports field area, including creation of a skate board park and refurbishment of the MUGA.
Promote the refurbishment of the Montacute Road play area, owned by PC, Jul 12 SSDC. SSDC
Work with volunteers interested in leading new activities that could PC Aug 12 make use of the pavilion to bring it into beneficial use.
Objective 2
The survey avoided direct reference to the village hall as this is the subject of separate investigation. Nevertheless, evidence suggests a need to increase and improve the number of meeting rooms and facilities available in the village hall to accommodate the demand for a coffee shop and facilities needed by the more popular new activities.
Action By Timescale
Refurbish and extend the Village Hall with better sized second function PC Ongoing room, kitchen facilities and suitability for a small coffee shop.
16 of 36 July 2012 Young People & Children
Our Vision
We support and value our young people, providing a range of recreational activities that changes over time to reflect changing needs and expectations. These enable them to meet, play and socialise in a safe environment. We encourage their inclusion in a wide variety of village activities.
Facilities for the younger villagers
For a village of its size, Tintinhull can probably be considered asset-rich particularly for children. Some years ago, the sports field pavilion had a function room added specifically to host a Youth Club but the most recent effort to run a such a club was formally wound up in 2011.
Given the response from the survey it would seem that the needs of the under 11’s are better catered for than the 11-17 age group.
Consultation Results
• 38 children under 11 responded to the survey as did 32 young people in the 11 - 17 age group.
• The chart shows the responses to the multi-choice question What organised activities would you like to see provided for the under 11's? It is felt that the priorities should favour the “All respondents” selection.
Activities for under 11s 70%
56%
42% All respondents (incl. adults) Respondents <11 yrs 28% Respondents 14%
0%
Other
Youth Club
Junior Cricket Junior Football Tennis Coaching
• A wider selection of activities was offered for the 11 - 17 age group, with the question “What organised activities / provisions would you like to see provided for the 11 - 17 year-olds?” Here it was felt that priorities should favour the target age group responses.
• At the consultation event 51 people stressed the importance of the Pre-school to the community whilst others highlighted its benefit in feeding pupils to the village school and that having both co-located would prove beneficial to the children, parents and the community at large.
17 of 36 July 2012 Activities for 11-17 yrs 70%
53%
35% Respondents 18%
0% BBQ Other Cricket Parties Netball Hockey Football Volley ball Basketball Youth club Quiz Quiz nights Youth shelter Dance classes Dance Tennis coaching Fitness Fitness sessions Skateboard Park Skateboard Walks picnic with Coffee / shop cafe
All respondents (incl. adults) Respondents 11-17 yrs
• Poor communication is a recurring theme in the analysis. To quote one comment from the survey “Know there is some kind of tennis coaching in village but - who runs it? When is it open etc? Not much known about this "club"?” • 56% thought it was a good idea to join with other villages / parishes in organising youth activities with a further 33% ticking “Don’t know”. • Their appears to be overall demand for a Youth Club which might sustain if limited professional assistance can be found and afforded. • Several activities could best be accommodated on the MUGA, which if adequately organised could help justify its refurbishment.
18 of 36 July 2012 Objective 1
Encourage Young People to engage in dialogue with the PC to influence the enhancement of existing facilities and participation in activities here and in adjacent towns and villages.
Action By Timescale
A Parish Councillor to be appointed to foster & champion the Youth Voice. PC Completed
Investigate sharing Youth Worker with Martock with a view to restarting a PC Jul 12 Youth Club. If successful use this to facilitate Objective 3.
More benches around the village. PC Jun 13
Seek out information on activities in adjacent towns & villages and TCP Completed promote (completed, see Activities).
Tennis Coaching already exists but may not be sufficiently publicised. TCP Completed Establish and promote directory of existing clubs, activities and contacts.
Create a dog-free zone around rec. play equipment. PC Jun 13
Objective 2
Seek to provide additional organised activities for under 11s.
Action By Timescale
Facilitate football coaching sessions with Tintinhull Football Club (TFC.) PC, TFC Sep 12
Junior Cricket, see actions under Activities section, page 14.
Objective 3
Seek to provide additional organised activities and additional provisions for 11-17 year olds.
Action By Timescale
Skateboard Park - establish as top priority for young people (see Sport PC Apr 13 & Leisure Facilities, objective 1).
Basketball, football, volley ball, hockey, netball and fitness session for PC Apr 13 this group should be used to help justify refurbishment of the MUGA (see Sport & Leisure Facilities, objective 1).
Coffee shop/Cafe - establish as a priority. PC Jun 13
Youth shelter - take advice from professionals on the merits of this PC, Apr 13 provision as part of a revamped Youth Club. SSDC
Cricket - see objective 2.
19 of 36 July 2012 Environment
Our Vision
Tintinhull is a village that seeks continuous improvement of its environment by being sustainable and respecting its surroundings and heritage for present and future generations.
Consultation Results
The following were derived from the feedback obtained at the Community Consultation:
• Flooding, its probable causes and what to do about it attracted the most comment. Action which it is hoped will resolve the major contributory factors affecting Queen St were completed in January 2012, though this remains to be tested by nature. Less severe problems were also highlighted in Thurlocks and St Margaret’s Road. 26% of visitors endorsed the view that “regular sweeping is vital in autumn to combat flooding” • The single topic of concern to most people, highlighted by 45% at the Consultation Event was the problem of rubbish on the sports field . Vandal proof bins which are regularly emptied are required. • The next most common concern was a lack of awareness of footpaths around the Parish, noted by 28% of villagers. • This was closely followed by people who feel that overhead telephone and power cables should be placed under ground in the conservation area as a minimum.
The remaining topics were all scored similarly by 1 in 5 attendees:
• Refuse collection and recycling is good or reasonable. However some people thought it could be enhanced to include large items. Also it was noted that Bearley does not receive the same collection service as the rest of the village. • Dog faeces is seen as a problem on the sports field. The Parish Council needs to work closer with the Dog Warden to educate dog owners and to publicise how to report offenders. • A display board showing the heritage of the village for local people as well as for visitors. • Some of the footpath stiles around the village are not accessible to less agile people. It was also noted that some land owners block the stiles with fencing which makes it difficult for dogs to enter. Some of the village stiles have already been changed to gates of various kinds and pressure needs to be put on Somerset County Council to finish this project. • Fly tipping around Tintinhull is becoming endemic, since SCC restricted the opening times at their waste disposal sites. Land owners should be encouraged to keep gates locked or entrances to fields blocked. The Parish Council should publicise the fly tipping hot line telephone number (01935) 462 462 on the website and village magazine. • Trees, bushes and hedgerows overhanging pavements are seen as a recurring problem and need more frequent pruning. Also mentioned was an overhanging wall in Queen Street. Homeowners are to be encouraged to keep the footpaths clear from obstruction and advised of the dangers overgrown bushes cause.
20 of 36 July 2012 Objective 1
To further mitigate the risk of flooding in remaining trouble spots, specifically Thurlocks “storm drain at top end is blocked and has been blocked for the 10 years I've lived there. Water gets as deep as 6 inches outside my house and frequently floods the whole road!” was a survey comment. Refer to Appendix 1 for an object lesson in tackling flooding.
Action By Timescale Investigate the claim made about Thurlocks (Mar 12) and work with PC, YH, Mar 13 Yarlington Homes (YH) and SSDC to identify and implement solution. SSDC Promote community awareness of the need to keep gullies clear of PC Aug 12 leaves in Autumn.
Objective 2
To ensure a clean and attractive environment for all
Action By Timescale Parish Council to provide vandal proof waste bins on the sports field PC Completed and ensure regular collection of waste. PC to seek assistance from the Dog Warden to educate dog owners PC, SSDC, Completed about health risks and penalties from faeces left on the sports field. Dog owners Ask land owners to keep gates locked to prevent fly tipping. PC, Land Ongoing Owners
Objective 3
To improve the quality and increase the awareness of public footpaths and pavements
Action By Timescale Continue to replace stiles with dog friendly gates which are SCC, PC Ongoing also accessible to less agile people. Produce a locally available leaflet detailing all local footpaths PC Sept 12 and permissive paths with maps. To clear Willey Lane from mud. Village work party Completed Ask homeowners to keep bushes and hedgerows pruned PC, Homeowners Ongoing and not over hanging the footpaths. Investigate the lane to Perrins Hill farm being designated a PC Dec 13 permissive path, thereby “closing the loop”.
Objective 4
To protect our environment by increasing recycling and community solutions
Action By Timescale Lobby SSDC & SCC to improve recycling of larger items. PC Ongoing Improve collections from Bearley. PC Sep 12 Investigate feasibility and cost of putting overhead cables under ground. PC Mar 13 To install a display board showing the Heritage if the village, possibly as PC, TCP Oct 12 part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
21 of 36 July 2012 Roads & Traffic
Vision
Our vision is to deliver the safest achievable traffic environment for our residents, pedestrian, cyclist or motorist, young or old and thereby improve the village as a consequence.
General
The two dominating traffic factors for the village are the A303 and the Yeovil to Martock road (Head Street/Yeovil Road). We suffer disproportionate traffic levels due to ‘cut-through’ traffic from the A303 and Yeovil traffic seeking an alternate route to the A3088. These problems are compounded by inadequate pavements, concealed drives and lack of resident parking spaces which all serve to exacerbate dangers to villagers.
Consultation results
Road safety and speeding attracted the most comment at the Community Consultation with nearly half supporting traffic calming measures along Head St/Yeovil Rd, 36% calling for 20mph zones though either the centre or the entire village. 20% asked for a pedestrian crossing on Head St.
Routes and access was the second greatest concern with the rat run issue the greatest concern (30%) with some suggesting closure or restriction of the Bearley Junction although this was strongly opposed by others
Objective 1
Create a safer environment for residents needing to cross Head Street, particularly children en- route to the village school
Action By Timescale
Traffic calming measures on Head St. PC Oct 12
Objective 2
Safety improvements at the Bearley junction of A303
Action By Timescale
Continue to campaign to the Highways Agency for safety improvements, PC Ongoing an example being warning of pedestrians crossing. (Their latest suggestion being averaging speed cameras).
22 of 36 July 2012 Objective 3
Minimise traffic dangers in village centre due to lack of pavements and numerous concealed household entrances.
Action By Timescale
Campaign for 20 mph Zone for Vicarage St/Queen St. PC Ongoing
Campaign for 7.5t weight limit for Queen Street, Vicarage PC Ongoing Street.
Write to Taylors Coaches requesting them to avoid transit PC Sep 12 through village centre.
Liaise with school and parents to ensure appropriate parking. PC, School, Sep 12 & Beat Team annually
Instigate an initiative to promote considerate parking PC, Beat Team Ongoing throughout the village.
Objective 4
Address inappropriate parking on grassed areas in Thurlocks.
Action By Timescale
Open a dialogue with Yarlington Homes aimed at improved provision of PC Sep 12 parking areas.(refer http://www.yhg.co.uk/Libraries/Neighbourhood_Plans/ Tintinhull_Neighbourhood_Plan.sflb.ashx page 14.
Objective 5
Sensitive improvement of signage to village sites of particular interest to visitors
Action By Timescale
Direction signs of value to visitors to be considered for sports field, PC Mar 13 recreation ground, tennis courts, swimming pool, village hall.
23 of 36 July 2012 Community Safety
Our vision
To help secure the village of Tintinhull as a low crime area through the establishment of good channels of communication between the villagers themselves and with the police.
Consultation Results
According to the concern shown by villagers who attended the consultation event, priorities for community safety were identified as follows
1. Antisocial behaviour (ASB)
2. Neighbourhood watch (NW)
3. Crime and policing
Underpinning all three areas of concern was the perceived need for more effective policing, reporting and communications to, from and WITHIN the community.
Considering each of these areas in turn the most significant observations made by the attendees at the consultation were as follows:
Proportion of attendees highlighting each issue
ASB NW Crime & Police
Antisocial behaviour is a universal and continuing problem affecting most communities. Tintinhull is in no way exceptional and the most often mentioned aspects of ASB in Tintinhull were vandalism, under age drinking and Behaviour abusive behaviour. Surprisingly, as can Drink be seen from the breakdown to the right, Vandalism under age drinking was mentioned more frequently than vandalism. Whilst not implying that under age drinking was the sole source of ASB there was a clear feeling that it was a significant contributor
24 of 36 July 2012 It is usually not difficult to identify the culprits if the community recognizes the importance of reporting all incidents to the police especially those they have witnessed. This information will aid the police in monitoring the frequency and participants involved and increase the presence of officers if justified. Unsurprisingly parental influence is seen as a necessary factor in curbing youth ASB but 50 respondents specifically mentioned the provision of good youth facilities (over and above that of the standard youth club) as highly desirable. This issue is addressed later in this plan.
Crime & Policing was mentioned by 69 respondents with lack of feedback from the police being criticized especially after a reported crime. The frequent changing of beat officers is also an undoubted factor in both the reporting of incidents and feedback. A familiar face is always a great help in encouraging dialogue. See next section.
74 respondents called for Tintinhull to be designated as a no cold calling area, excepting charities. Martock has for example been so designated for some time.
Neighbourhood Watch (NW) issues and those above in crime and policing clearly overlap. The NW scheme is intended to give its members a degree of community involvement in the prevention and reporting of neighbourhood crime. 52 respondents registered their opinion on this topic with the general consensus being that although village wide the existing scheme had little visibility outside of being seen primarily as a messaging service for Avon & Somerset Police warnings. In the last 12 months there have been significant village thefts of trailers, garden equipment and church roof lead some of which were reported through the NW scheme but the relative infrequency of village crime results in only occasional communication on local issues and a loss of attention to the scheme during the periods of little activity or news. In order to maintain awareness, alertness and interest new channels of NW communication need to be established such as an e-newsletter. This could cover all the issues raised above in this section of the TCP and act as a catalyst to garner and disseminate the latest crime and policing information relevant to or about the village. Its mission would be to maintain crime awareness and feed back information to the police and other villagers in a manner which is both useful to the police and confidence building to the community itself.
Objective
Reduce the incidence of crime and enhance the feeling of security in the community. This to be achieved through the establishment of efficient channels of communication within the community itself and with the police.
Action By Timescale
Increase the visibility and value of Tintinhull Neighbourhood Watch NW Sep 12 Scheme through better use of the village website and more feedback channels.
Create a leaflet to go to every house describing Tintinhull NW with an NW Sep 12 invitation to join the scheme and listing the local contacts.
Promote the value of intelligence information to the police through the use NW Ongoing of telephone number 101 and Crimestoppers.
Establish how to get improved feedback from the police on local crime PC Jun 12 issues (eg. why is Police News available in Martock but not Tintinhull?). As an alternative, ensure that policing issues are comprehensively covered in PC minutes which are then published in the Village Magazine (see Communication, Objective 8).
25 of 36 July 2012 Health & Wellbeing
Our Vision
To ensure that the inhabitants of Tintinhull live in a caring community which is alive to the needs of both those with young children as well as the very elderly. We live at the time of an aging population and must ensure that both their current needs, as well as those in the near future, are met for the increasing number of older people.
Consultation Results Respondent’s age group Background: The age distribution of the respondents to the survey is shown in the pie chart from which it will be noted that about 7% (38) are below 10 years old whilst almost a third 75 + 0 - 10 of the respondents 33% were aged over 64years. 11 - 17 (107: 65-74 yrs; 78: 75 years or older). These are 18 - 24 minimum figures for the village as a whole. Assuming there is little change to the demographics of the village over the next five 65 - 74 25 - 44 years, this percentage can be expected to increase steadily. Thus it is imperative that the needs of this age group are at least maintained or preferably improved as a result of this plan.
For more background to Somerset County 45 - 64 Council’s current priorities which include tackling health inequalities & promoting physical activity refer to http://www.sine.org.uk/health-wellbeing/.
Major Issues: Results indicate that there are currently no major concerns, albeit there are a number of issues for the PC and community to address in order to improve the quality of life for the less able. The village cannot afford to be complacent.
Access to Medical Practitioners: Whilst the Questionnaire did not address the ease of access to Doctors & Dentists surgeries, it is to be noted that within six miles of the village, there is a good choice of surgeries. This is however a topic which should be addressed in any future survey as to whether there is a need for perhaps a weekly surgery in the Village Hall/Community Hub to assist the less able /mobile residents.
Yeovil and Martock are currently served by a frequent bus service easily accessed by those living in the central or south part of the village. 55% of attendees at the Community Consultation stressed the need to maintain this existing good service.
Issues relating to age or mobility: The percentage of registered disabled was 4% (23) & 14% (68) were aware of problems in the village for people with restricted mobility. A worrying number noted that they had no-one available to contact in a non medical emergency. When asked if help was needed with any of the tasks listed in the table, due to age /infirmity, over 400 noted that no assistance was needed but almost 9% requested assistance during severe weather and at least 29 with other tasks. Gardening being a particular issue. A combination of good neighbourliness and the establishment of a small volunteer group with contact numbers recorded in the Parish Magazine/Newsletter/website should address these needs. In addition, the new Somerset Village Agents project being established by the Community Council will further ensure access to support http://www.somersetrcc.org.uk/work-village-agents-project.php
26 of 36 July 2012 Help needed due to age or infirmity 50 38 25 13 Those in need in Those 0 Cooking Cleaning Odd jobs Shopping Transport Gardening Snow clearing Snow Filling in forms in Filling
Movement around village: The most notable concern (36 from Open Day) was the state of the village pavements, in some cases compounded by overhanging hedges etc. St Margaret’s Rd, and Queen St are the worst. The lack of a safe crossing on Head St was also identified. The Village Hall, following its refurbishment, will provide disabled access.
Carers Needs: The number of carers, following the Questionnaire, was 9% ( 47) of whom 13 noted that they would like to join a local support group. A volunteer support coordinator could liaise with the carers as to the best way forward.
Communication – Directory of Support Services: Assuming that a Directory of Support Services could be created, the respondents were evenly split between village magazine and community newsletter as the best form of dissemination. Since the survey was conducted, a new scheme has emerged called Village Agents. Village Agents provide assistance to people living in rural areas, bridging the gap between the local community and the statutory or voluntary organisations able to offer help or support. A Village Agent for the cluster comprising Stoke sub Hamdon, Chilthorne Domer, Montacute, Norton sub Hamdon, Odcombe and Tintinhull is being recruited as this plan goes to press.
Action By Timescale
Promote good neighbourliness and establish a volunteer group to TCP, Event address issues relating to age or mobility (e.g. snow clearing), and make PC driven it easier for the elderly to move around the village, (eg cut back overhanging hedges). See environment objective 3.
Some pavements are unsafe for the elderly and infirm due to steep slope PC Apr 13 or uneven surface. Target for improvement.
Connect carers with the nearest Support Group, see web site. Completed
Promote the Village Agents Scheme, once established. PC Sep 12
Access to medical practitioners should be included in any future survey. TCP Aspiration
Pressure on SCC to maintain existing good bus service. PC Ongoing
27 of 36 July 2012 Housing
Our vision
Tintinhull should remain a village community in its design and ambience, with no further large scale housing developments, at the same time recognising a future need for small scale affordable housing developments utilising designs and appearance in keeping with the overall character of the village.
Consultation Results
When asked in the survey what kind of additional accommodation is required in Tintinhull 511 villagers answered the question: 147 indicated that no further homes are needed. 364 stated varying multi-choice opinions, as follows:
Additional accommodation needed
Affordable homes for people with close local ties Starter homes Small family houses Accommodation for the elderly Accommodation for people with disabilities Large family houses
0 75 150 225 300
When asked what type(s) of ownership or tenancy were needed in the village: 136 wanted no further development of any description and ticked no other boxes. 341 stated varying multi choice opinions (see Chart below) which indicates the highest preference of restricted sale or rent to local people. However, there was no absolute clear choice, although a general view of all categories indicates an acceptable need for low cost housing either to rent or buy, possibly shared, but with availability to locals as the priority.
Ownership or tenancy need
Restricted sale or rent to local people Low cost sale Owner occupied Local authority / housing association rented Shared ownership Adapted housing (for those with disabilities) Sheltered housing Private rented
0 50 100 150
28 of 36 July 2012 Asked what type(s) of housing development would be acceptable in the village: 106 wanted none and ticked no other boxes. 382 stated varying multi choice opinions (see chart below) which shows the priority is to make best use of current buildings, including conversion where possible. As an alternative small (5 or less units) or single developments were the preferred development choices.
Acceptable types of housing development
Conversion of redundant buildings
Small groups of less than 5 dwellings
Single dwellings in controlled locations
Expansion on the edge of existing communities
Larger groups in keeping with adjacent dwellings
0 75 150 225 300
Finally of all the 567 who completed the survey, 7 indicated that they had a current need for alternative accommodation within Tintinhull. Combination of the two highest preferences indicated a requirement for ‘Low cost’ and ‘To buy’.
Requirement for alternative accommodation
Low cost
To buy
To rent
Sheltered accommodation
Other
0 2 5 7 9
The overall impression from the survey data is that there is a preference for no major development, that the locals wish to remain local living in Tintinhull and that any development should be small scale, low cost and predominantly for those people with local ties.
This is consistent with the SSDC Local Plan for 2013 - 2028 which calls for no significant developments in Rural Settlements such as Tintinhull. This is currently in draft form and available here http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy/ draft-core-strategy-(incorporating-preferred-options)/
29 of 36 July 2012 Objective 1
To continue to support and promote our Village Design Statement, now incorporated into this plan, and ensure it strongly influences and guides any future planning applications to retain and where possible enhance the character of the village.
Action By Timescale For the Parish and District Councillors to incorporate the desires of PC, SSDC Ongoing Tintinhull residents in future decisions. To ensure that the Design Statement continues to be advocated by PC, SSDC Ongoing SSDC.
Objective 2
To recognise the priorities of Tintinhull residents in planning affordable housing predominantly for people with close local ties.
Action By Timescale To identify potential and acceptable development sites for PC Dec 12 affordable housing within the confines of the village - initial survey. PC to support appropriate conversion of redundant buildings within PC Ongoing the village into low cost housing. PC to support appropriate accommodation for the elderly and PC Ongoing disabled. To identify the possibility of a shared ownership scheme for the PC, SSDC Dec 12 benefit of local people.
Objective 3
To fully identify and address concerns about future development and potential strain on the local amenities and infrastructure
Action By Timescale To limit the building to small developments of single units or plots SSDC, PC & Ongoing of less than 5 dwellings. residents
To monitor the effect on infrastructure of any future development. PC Ongoing
30 of 36 July 2012 Design Statement
GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT
A village community has a unique appreciation of its own surroundings and situation. This Village Design Statement builds on the description of the general character of Tintinhull in the opening section of this plan and highlights those qualities and features which are particularly valued by its residents. It was prepared by the people of Tintinhull in 1997, following a one day community workshop, hosted and organised by the Parish Council and facilitated by SSDC. It offers guidance concerning future change. The aim is to ensure that further development, based on a considered understanding of the village, past and present, will contribute positively to and enhance the special character and nature of Tintinhull.
This Design Statement has been adopted as supplementary planning guidance by SSDC and its contents will be taken into account when planning applications are assessed.
General
Future residential development in Tintinhull should support the social structure of a balanced community. Designs should offer variety and affordability, toning in with the rest of the village.
Space is important and the overall development should contribute to communal feeling rather than isolation (e.g. without cul-de-sac development).
Location and access should take account of the needs of road safety and, if giving onto Head Street, should make a positive contribution to improving safety along the road (e.g. by introducing a sizeable roundabout which slows through traffic right down). Attention should be given to providing sensible access for routine traffic including bus services, refuse collection and tradesmen. Further development within the village should be designed so as not to add to the present need for on- road parking of private cars.
Building Types
• All new development should acknowledge its Tintinhull context and avoid standard designs.
• Buildings in new developments should generally be of a simple restrained style which reflects the characteristics of the older village houses, cottages and farms.
• Modern, innovative buildings, of high quality design and materials, may also be appropriate provided they respect the essential character of the village.
• Developments and development strategies should include a range of housing types and sizes in order to enhance the social mix. Care should be taken when cheaper housing is created to avoid repetitive or monotonous design.
• Barns or other suitable redundant buildings can be used through conversions where this appropriately integrates with the existing village character.
• Houses should, where possible, have wide frontages reflecting existing old farmhouse designs, with subservient wings to the rear if needed. Gables should not be used as the principal elevation.
31 of 36 July 2012 Building Height
•Buildings should have a maximum of two storeys and an attic.
•The ground floor level should be kept close to the natural ground level.
•Eaves should not be at a greater height than 4.6 metres.
Materials
• Local natural Hamstone should be used, particularly in the Conservation Area.
• Clay roof tiles should generally be used. Thatch and slate may be appropriate in certain circumstances.
Windows, Doors and Openings
• Windows should use balanced designs without top vents. Glazing bars should be used. The frames should be painted in preference to brown stained.
• Dormer windows should be small, and no wider than the windows below them.
WaIls
• These should have substantially more wall than window, to give the buildings a solid appearance. The openings should be kept reasonably small, with timber lintel or stone arch over.
• Meter boxes should not be visible on main and front elevation.
Roofs
• The maximum roof span for houses should be 6.0 metres. The pitch for roofs generally should be 40-50 degrees.
• Water tabling or pointed verges should be used. Barge boards with a deep overhang should be avoided. Eaves overhang should be kept to a minimum, with narrow fascia with a dark finish.
• Chimneys should have stone or brick corbelled cappings.
Household Extensions
The extension of an existing property is as demanding on a designer's skills as a new building and, if done well, can complement the existing building and enhance its setting. In general, extensions should:
• reflect the character of the original house in terms of its scale, design, windows and opening details, roofing details and materials;
• not result in undue loss of light or outlook or appear overbearing to adjoining occupiers or within the street scene;
• not impair any symmetry of the principal elevation(s). This problem can generally be avoided if the extension is set back.
32 of 36 July 2012 Boundary Treatments
•Stone walls rather than fences should be used for boundaries between gardens and public areas.
•Boundary walls should be capped with flat stone or cock and hen coping.
Landscaping and Open Space
• New landscaping and planting schemes should be of a form which respects the village setting using, wherever possible, indigenous species.
• New development should include new open grassed areas and, where possible, increase existing open spaces within the village.
• Open spaces should be planted where appropriate with indigenous broad-leaved trees.
• Orchards, where existing, are part of the village heritage and should be retained.
• No new overhead cabling should be permitted and every opportunity should be taken in the future to place electrical and telephone services underground.
Highways
• Road safety needs to be improved by the reduction and restriction of through-traffic, with particular concern for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, including children.
• The Highway Authority should ensure early consultation prior to significant road developments within the village.
• Consultation should also take place where other nearby developments will have an impact on the amount of traffic passing through the village.
• The A303 is so close to the village that great care should be taken to avoid its having any further impact. Consideration should also be given to restricting the extent to which traffic can drive through the village along Queen Street, to and from the A303, as a short cut.
• Traffic calming measures should be implemented along Head Street. These should be sufficient to cause traffic to slow, perhaps through the use of obvious signs on the outskirts of the village combined with speed cameras, but should not be unduly obtrusive within the village itself. Road humps are not advised because of local agricultural traffic.
• Public bodies and agents for developers constructing roads should plan road designs in sympathy with the general layout and look of the village.
Pathways
• The routes and quality of existing paths should be maintained, and the latter improved. Suitable gates or stiles should be erected where necessary and measures taken to ensure that the paths are free from flooding.
• Opportunities should be sought to open up new rights of way, to join up existing paths and to provide for a greater number of circular open countryside walks.
• So far as is possible, new development should have safe access to countryside pathways.
33 of 36 July 2012 FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you want advice about development proposals in Tintinhull or about ideas for altering or extending property in the village, you should contact the Area North Planning Team at South Somerset District Council, telephone 01935 462462. It is always helpful to discuss ideas before they become fixed. Remember, part of the village is a Conservation Area where special planning controls apply.
34 of 36 July 2012 Appendix 1
FLOODING IN QUEEN STREET DIP (Problem and Solution)
On Saturday 13th December 2008, in the rain and dark at about 6 am, five cars were written off in a lake 5 feet deep which had formed in the Queen Street dip. This had resulted when a short but extremely intensive downpour caused a torrent of surface water to carry leaves and debris down to the Queen Street dip where they settled, blocking the gullies leading into the culvert which crosses beneath the road at that location. Together with damage to other property, losses were suffered by a handful of residents estimated at some £250,000.
Indignant at the lack of any local authority action, one of the victims (loss of car and workshop equipment) resolved to mount his own campaign to bring the catastrophe to the notice of the responsible bodies and obtain redress. This led to his forming the Floodwatch network and, with the support of the local MP and two County and District Councillors, researching in depth the nature and cause of the flooding; identifying in detail the measures necessary to deal with the problem; and persuading the Highways Department to accept this analysis and act upon it.
Two years later, in March 2011, the first phase of the works (Queen Street) was completed. The second phase (Farm Street and the area between College Farm and the Green) followed in January 2012. Large diameter pipe (15 inch) has been laid beneath the road, with connections to the many new roadside gullies. In about seven hundred yards of excavation, carried out to depths of 3 to 5 feet, no trace was found of any pipework belonging to a fit-for-purpose pre- existing storm-water drainage system.
Nature has yet to put the new installation to a severe test, but there can be little doubt that, provided the gullies are kept clear of leaves etc in the autumn, the risk of damaging floods has been very greatly reduced, as has the likelihood of a recurrence of the torrents of surface water experienced (e.g. in Farm Street) in the past. The Parish Council should be vigilant in keeping the new drainage facilities in full working order, in particular:- • Seeking to persuade all Tintinhull residents that it is in their and the community’s interest for everyone to assume some responsibility for keeping the roads clear of leaves etc in the autumn. It is a fact that the leaves left lying near someone’s house could help bring about the loss of someone else’s car in a completely different part of the village. • Obtain the agreement of the District Council to authorise the collection of open bags of leaves as part of the normal rubbish collection programme in the months of flood risk (say November through January). • Continually press the District Council to keep up a regular Street Scene machine sweeping programme to complement the village’s own efforts. • Continually press the County Council to maintain the programme of gully clearing.
Revised 16/02/12
35 of 36 July 2012 Tintinhull CP Date: 20-6-2012 Scale: 1:22062 Map Centre - easting / northing: © Crown copyright and database right. All rights reserved (100052852) 2012 349746 / 120934
36 of 36 July 2012