Introduction Methodology
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RYHALL AND BELMESTOPE PARISH SURVEY RESULTS Survey undertaken August/September 2017 Survey results approved and ratified by the Parish Council May 2018 Results published June 2018 Introduction In response to the national need for more housing, Rutland County Council has drawn up a Local Plan for countywide development in the period up to 2036. This will require the addition of 1,700 dwellings. The nine large Rutland villages, of which Ryhall is one, are expected to contribute one-third of this total, i.e. 566 dwellings. Were this spread equally amongst the nine it would require Ryhall to expand by ca. 63 dwellings. Ryhall Parish Council considered formally contributing a Neighbourhood Plan, but following consultation with parishioners instead opted for a simpler Parish Plan. The first stage in this process was to canvass the views of Ryhall and Belmesthorpe residents through a survey. Methodology Accordingly a volunteer working party project team was formed chaired by Dave Amies, including Linda & Simon Davies, Pat Bate and Andrew Nebel, and authorized to undertake the survey. With very significant support from Caroline Adams, Parish Clerk, a review of other Rutland Villages’ neighbourhood planning surveys was undertaken and used to design a questionnaire adjudged specifically suitable to the needs of our villages. In addition, a questionnaire was designed for completion by all year 6 pupils of Ryhall CE Academy. 700 questionnaires were printed and through the kind voluntary assistance of Tony Dolby and Andy Thomas, one was delivered to every dwelling in Ryhall and Belmesthorpe. A total of 217 completed questionnaires were returned from Ryhall residents [a 33% response rate] and 20 from Belmesthorpe [a response rate of 25%] to collection points at the Village Stores, The Library, the School and the Blue Bell public house. It is for the Parish Council to assess whether this level of response is regarded as indicative of village opinion. The analysis in the report is based upon the entire universe of completed questionnaires, however as we also gathered the respondents’ demography further specialist analysis can be provided upon request. For example we can look to see if there are significant differential responses from older or younger respondents, or by duration of residence in the village etc. 1 It should be noted that 64% of responses were received from people aged over 60 and only 13% were from under 40 year olds. It is not known if this reflects the general population profile of the village as a whole, but it is the author’s view that it probably doesn’t and thus opinions harvested by this survey are skewed in favour of this older subset of the community. The school questionnaires have been data captured, but are yet to be analysed and a separate report will be produced shortly to garner its comments. It has proved a very significant exercise to data capture the responses to the 30 questions submitted by 236 residents [creating over 7000 items to record and analyse] and we are indebted to the project team members for their voluntary effort in undertaking this labourious exercise. Assistance from Michelle Nebel in spreadsheet design and pivot table analysis was invaluable. A copy of the adult questionnaire is attached as Appendix 1. When reading the ‘Pie Charts’ in the report use the sequence of the key to read clockwise from 12 o clock. Overview A third of Ryhall residents and just over a quarter of those in Belmesthorpe responded with completed questionnaires. Ryhall residents are broadly very happy with the way things are in the village and there is a broad consensus about what they like/dislike and wish for their future. The quiet rural atmosphere and friendly community spirit are very frequently mentioned. The shop/post office and pubs are seen as important village facilities, as are the Library, Meadows, School, Allotments and Village Hall. Strongly worded and consistent mention was made of the importance of Ryhall maintaining its integrity by being clearly separated from Belmesthorpe and Stamford by green spaces. The response to whether further residential development should happen was less negative than one might have imagined with most respondents indicating agreement that some managed expansion should be permitted. The question is by what scale; 27% said they would be happy with up to 20 new dwellings, whilst 64% were prepared to see over 30 new properties. But only 25% would be content with more than 40 new houses … or put another way 75% would oppose more than 40 new dwellings. 2 Development on the Trout farm site is seen as acceptable by most people at 63% approval, however 29% opposed use of this site. Development on the Meadow Lane site is much less welcome and was opposed by 58%, although there is a significant minority of 29% supporting use of this site. However it would be wrong to interpret this as support for the size of development proposed by RCC [84 dwellings] since only 8% were willing to see more than 70 new dwellings being built. This suggests that an option might be to consider a smaller Meadow Lane development of ca. 40 dwellings, sited as a number of people have suggested in the south-western half of the field with a boundary on the existing footpath separating the eastern half and river bank which might become amenity space for the village. Respondents were asked to state the style of housing that Parish Council should prioritise for future development. Starter, smaller family homes and Adapted/Easy Access homes were most frequently mentioned. Given the skew to older respondents it is unsurprising that when asked about individual’s future needs, downsizing and /or moving to a bungalow are most frequently mentioned. If development is to allowed this need should be recognised, as it would free up existing houses available for new residents. If development of scale were to occur there are high levels of concern about the impact this would have upon traffic and parking, the loss of green spaces and a consequent loss of the village’s character. A less mentioned point, but no less relevant, was the comment from one person about the sewage treatment works capacity to cope with more effluent as this regularly already smells offensively in summer. Other matters which emerged as of concern to residents and which might be regarded as ‘pay attention issues’ for the Parish Council to consider further are:- Dog & horse fouling and litter. Parking around the school Speeding in the village and on the A6121 … 50% would welcome a 20mph zone in the village although opinions about traffic calming measures are equally divided for and against. Parking in general and in particular around the school The absence of pavements in Church Street, The Square and New Road The desire for a footpath between Ryhall and Belmesthorpe Balk Road’s surface and pavements Concern about the empty butchers shop …although if approval for conversion to a dwelling is given this becomes irrelevant. However it should be noted that many people would like still to have a butchers shop in the village. Although only 29% expressed a concern about crime there was a majority of 56% who said they felt the Police presence in the village needed improvement. 3 Overhanging hedges, trees and the condition of verges were also frequently mentioned as of concern. And 10 people mentioned they would like to see a GP surgery/pharmacy/podiatry clinic There was support from 62% of respondents to the idea of a new pavilion. The detail in the report summary below is worthy of further study, as it will reveal more detail of villager’s attitudes and opinions … much of which is favourable but also points to areas of desired improvement. Detailed Summary of Responses The results are separately summarised for each village below. For each structured question the counts are shown as tables/graphs with an interpretative comment for the most frequently mentioned subjects. For the open-ended questions the responses have been grouped by topic and the most frequently mentioned issues have been counted. The results of the children’s questionnaire will be the subject of a separate report to be completed shortly. Q1 What do you enjoy/like about living in your village? Q1. Ryhall The quiet and peaceful nature of the village was most frequently mentioned at 92%. All other aspects were highly valued, albeit facilities and easy access were valued lesser but still by 72% of respondents. 25 respondents offered a narrative response [not all of which was relevant to the question] which can be collectively summarised as: - 4 said amazing facilities/brilliant shop & Post Office and Pubs 6 said small/beautiful/quiet/safe 4 3 said friendly/ good community 4 said river, wildlife and separate from Stamford Q1. Belmesthorpe % Quiet/peaceful 18 90 Rural 17 85 Access to Country 18 90 Community 12 60 Good Facilities 5 25 Easy Access 12 60 Other 0 0 Over half of the respondents highly valued the quiet, peaceful, rural, community which provides easy access to the countryside. Q2. What features do you think would be most important for the villages to have? Q2. Ryhall Trees and wildlife corridors were most appreciated being mentioned by three- quarters of respondents, followed by two-thirds mentioning green spaces, allotments and a quality pavilion. Shops were regarded as important by over half of all respondents. 36 respondents offered a narrative response [not all of which was relevant to the question] that can be collectively summarised as: - 7 said A butcher 5 3 said GP/health facilities/exercise facilities 3 said Coffee shop/café/picnic tables/ places to meet 2 said Facilities for children/young people 1 said Footpath to Belmesthorpe 1 said A bigger sewage treatment plant if village expands 1 said Safer crossing on Turnpike 1 said Speed cameras Q2.