Chalfont St Peteer June 2006 Report of the Community Appraisal Steering Group and Action Plan for 2006.

...our village ...our voice June 2006

Where is it?...

LONDON Beaconsfield

Rickmansw

Chalfont St. Giles A355

Chalfont Maple Cross Common Jordans Beaconsfield Chalfont St. Peter Harefield

A412 Chalfont St Peter, . Brief History of Chalfont St Peter - (by permission of Cllr Pam Bacon)

Chalfont St Peter runs southwards from Chorleywood to Behind the main roadway of the village was Swan’s farm whose Gerrards Cross, along the A413 and within a few miles of the land stretched up the hillside of the present Chalfont Heights. A40 and M40 to and the M25 ring road, yet is The only remaining building is the wooden barn, converted into surrounded with woods and farmland and is within the the Youth Club in the 1940s. Chilterns, an area of outstanding beauty. It is the third The most important estate within the village was the Grange, largest parish in the and includes the originally where Missenden Abbey held its ecclesiastical court for ancient villages of Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont Common, the village, then granted to Edmund Brudenell in the 16th century Austenwood Common and the hamlet of Horn Hill, all and then passing into the Drury family who remained Lords of the mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1087. Manor until 1626 when hard times forced them to relinquish lands Palaeolithic flint stone implements along the valley of the River in the village to Henry Bulstrode, already owner of Bulstrode Park Misbourne suggest Stone Age settlements and Roman coins of the and Hedgerley. The next owner was Isaac Pennington, Lord Mayor 2nd and 3rd centuries were found in a field off Welders Lane. of London. His son, Isaac became a Quaker and the Grange became their meeting place. The Penningtons were evicted from The name “Chalfont” derived from “Ceadeles funta” or the “spring the Grange in Charles II’s reign and the house passed to an uncle of of Ceadeles”, a common name in British or Celtic times. The Manor Judge Jefferys. Judge Jeffreys stayed there while his new acquisition of Chalfont was held by Leofwin in the 11th century from his of Bulstrode Park was being renovated after a fire. In 1929 the brother, King Harold who was killed by William the Conqueror at Grange was sold to an order of Catholic teaching nuns and became the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William granted the the Holy Cross Convent School for Girls. Manor to this half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. At this time “Ceadeles” had The Estate of Chalfont Park was bought by Thomas Hibbert in 1794 changed to “Celfunde”. In the 12th whose descendants were responsible for many charitable bequests century Henry II granted the in the village. In the mid 19th century John Hibbert bought land Manor to his Treasurer, on Gold Hill Lane (now Market Place) as allotments for the villages, Ranulf de Brito, who was endowed two almshouses and an infants’ school and set up the responsible for first Cottage Hospital of six beds on the present site. In 1921 land establishing a weekly on Chalfont Park was set aside as a golf course. Chalfont Park market in the village became a hotel, later a convalescent home for servicemen during and the annual fair to the Second World War and the headquarters of British Alcan. mark the feast day of The first independent chapel was built on Gold Hill Common in SS Peter and Paul in 1792 and had its first Baptist minister in 1800. June – a custom still honoured to this day. With the building of the railway in 1906 in Gerrards Cross the whole area grew in size. In Chalfont St Peter, Market Place was The village and its lands built up, Gold Hill Lane in the 1920s, a memorial hall was built after then passed into the the First World War, later turned into a picture house and ownership of the Turvilles subsequently demolished to make way for the row of shops at the who were responsible for bottom of Market Place. building the Church in 1196. Very soon the lands passed to the Abbot and In 1913 the Community of Carmelite Friars came to live in a house monks of Missenden Abbey and the first vicar of on Austenwood Common calling it “The Priory”. Within two years Chalfunde Sancti Petri was installed in 1224. The they had completed the first part of a Gothic style church in the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII in 1540 grounds dedicated to St Joseph. By the 1960s they had enlarged meant the end of Missenden Abbey and the lands were either the church, built a social club and two new schools on Priory Road. sold or granted to lay owners. worth The biggest and most fatal change came in the 1960s with the The Greyhound Inn was rapidly becoming important as a demolition of the centre of the old village opposite the Greyhound hostelry for the increasing numbers of coach travellers to replace it with the shopping and residential precinct to cope between London, Aylesbury, Bicester and the Midlands. with a huge population rise to over 12,000 and the construction of Traffic so increased in the 17th century that the the by pass and roundabout in 1968 necessitating further overflow of travellers slept in the George or other demolition of medieval cottages, inns and the forge. inns which sprang up over the village. Preservation orders and a heightened awareness of Chalfont St Behind the present day St Peter’s Court was a Peter’s history now ensure that the old buildings along the High d square of 17th century cottages known as Barrack Street are preserved and renovated where possible making the Yard, said to be where James II stationed his troops. village a living, vibrant area but still owing much to its past. June 2006

2006... Parts of the village are designated areas of special character; In some of our buildings are listed but we need to try to preserve more of our heritage. There are many shops and businesses in the village creating employment both for our own residents and many who come from outside the village to work here. We have many churches for all faiths, all of which have adopted a strong community role within the village. Leisure pursuits are well catered for. We have a leisure centre, golf, football and tennis clubs and numerous clubs and societies for all ages. We have pubs and restaurants providing a variety of food. There is a strong sense of community and belonging and village events are always extremely well supported. Although densely populated, Chalfont St Peter still identifies as a “leafy” village with tree lined streets, two areas of common land in Gold Hill and Austenwood and its Green Belt surrounds.

Perceived Threats 1. The main threat to our village comes from developers. As we have already outlined, Chalfont St Peter is a very desirable Chalfont St Peter in 2006 place to live and because the village is surrounded by Green Belt, developers are looking at back garden development and Chalfont St Peter is the nearest village in Chiltern to London. large old houses are being destroyed to make way for flats. With a population of approximately 13,000 it is probably the largest village in Buckinghamshire and is the third largest 2. What is going to happen to the sites of the Holy Cross populated centre in Chiltern. The village is divided into four Convent, Newlands Park and the National Society for areas – Chalfont Common, Chalfont Central, Gold Hill and Epilepsy (NSE)? Austenwood all distinctly different in character. 3. Will the Tesco store at Gerrards Cross be built? This could It has excellent transport links – the M40, M25, A40, Chiltern affect our local shops which we need to retain our village Railways from Gerrards Cross and easy access to all the main centre. Residents without transport also rely heavily on airports of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton – all make Chalfont St local shops. Peter a very desirable place to live. 4. Chalfont Community college has already expanded to a size Transport links within the village itself, however, are extremely poor which the village can hardly accommodate. Further growth of with few buses linking to other parts of Chiltern and only one the College would place unacceptable strain on the service taking passengers out of the area to Slough. No buses run at community and its infrastructure. all evenings and weekends. 5. The village has already suffered from a serious reduction in The main centre sits in a valley with the running bus services in recent years. Any further deterioration would through it, although for most of the time the river bed is now dry. be detrimental to many residents without their own The most populated parts are built around roads leading up from transport. this centre. 6. We need to restrict the amount of eating establishments and A large percentage of the village is in the Green Belt, part in the resist these changes of use which will also destroy our village Colne Valley Park, both of which help to restrict development. centre if we lose our shops. The Chalfont St Peter Community Appraisal

Executive Summary In the summer of 2003 we asked for your views on what you None of this work would have been possible without a number of value and wish to preserve in our village and suggestions for residents, local authority officers and others who have made it their short and long term improvements.With the support of the business to get involved and work closely together for the future Parish Council a village appraisal process was established. Its benefit of our community. I take this opportunity to thank them for aim was to take stock of all aspects of the community; the their continued commitment as we proceed to develop the projects assets, the deficiencies; the problems and the needs. identified and continue to deliver some real changes. Residents came forward to form seven action groups. These groups Linda Smith, Chairman were asked to build on the evidence collected through consultation Chalfont St Peter Community Appraisal Steering Group - June 2006 work, to prioritise the challenges and opportunities, and to prepare an action plan with service providers (eg local authorities) to The Process achieve specific objectives. Prior to the commencement of the village community This report summarises the outcomes; captures information on the appraisal a number of studies, surveys and projects key trends and issues, challenges and aspirations expressed by the commissioned locally or by others was recognised. These community. It offers an action plan which will guide the included the village’s Development Group’s work on economic development of Chalfont St Peter over the next ten years. aspects and a village survey undertaken by the Gold Hill Baptist Church. The appraisal process has already delivered some outstanding early successes. We have a vibrant community run youth club. It was agreed that the appraisal process would develop the key Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been created, and a regular issues already identified including those affecting younger and older police surgery. Our village older persons action group ensures that people, community safety, transport and traffic, and a vision for the the voices of our elders are heard. A group is working to ensure that village centre. the obstacles faced by our residents with disabilities are overcome. An appraisal steering group was established with a formal An environment action group is concerned with preserving and constitution enabling it to draw down its own funding. A number of promoting the character of the village. It has devised a scheme to action groups would refer to it, involving as wide a selection of improve the A413 streetscape for residents, and to similarly community groups and individuals as possible. enhance Church Lane. Our Traffic and Transport group is seeking to reduce congestion, increase road safety and to increase accessibility Through a series of public consultation events several more key to neighbouring towns and villages. A new group will consider local issues were identified. These included: economy issues working with retailers and businesses to improve the marketability of the village. Our latest plans are for a Heritage group to set up a local museum.

Youth need for a meeting place . development of the youth club . information about all youth facilities Transport insufficient public transport . poor road and pavement surfaces . aircraft noise levels speeding on the A413 . road safety . need for more pedestrian crossings Community Safety vandalism . need for police surgeries . vehicle crime . increase Neighbourhood Watch schemes Older People poor street lighting . need for activities and information for older people . need for more supported housing Environment the need to promote and retain character of the village . improvements to Church Lane and the car park Disability access to shops and transport . seeking the views of disabled people Business & Employment improvements to the shopping environment . marketing the village

...our village ...our voice June 2006

The Action Plan 2004 – 06

On submission of an outline action plan the steering group received funding from Chiltern District Council. Additional funds from CDC, via an application from the Development Group enabled the development of the process and the work of the action groups, publicity, etc.

Action Group Proposed Activity Resources Required Agencies Involved Expected Outcome Youth Youth Shelter CDC, PC, TVP Appropriate facility Youth Club Development Volunteers CDC, BCC, Rotary, Parish Council, Local Independently mana Funding Churches Homework Club Open Additional Evenings Youth Facilities Information Guide Volunteers, Funding All youth service providers Accurate and freely Elderly Older Persons Action Group Volunteers Baptist Church, CDC, PC, PHG + CSBPCT Improved communi Monthly meetings Funding Budgens services Monthly surgeries – Budgens Improvements to pavements and lighting Funding VOPAG and BCC Supported housing Funding VOPAG, PHG, PC, CDC Consultation and ap Disability Overcome obstacles faced by Volunteers NSE, Development Group, Improved access to people with disabilities Funding VOPAG, individuals countryside by peop Training and awareness of key issues Environment A413 Local Improvement Project Funding All include BCC, CDC, PC Promotion and rete Village gates Marketing for visitors Fingerpost signs Information board Tidy/relocate recycling unit Safer walking routes for schools PC and schools Village Design Statement CDC & volunteers Traffic & Transport Reduce congestion and improve accessibility BCC Improvements/integ Local area plan Community Safety Increase in Neighbourhood Watch schemes Residents, TVP, PC, CDC A safer community disruptive elements Reduction in fear of crime in community Regular police surgery TVP, Budgens Economy Business review Suppliers and Users Local business meet Visitor guide Heritage Museum All agencies and residents Celebration of local The Next Steps...

This is only the beginning of the process. This document addresses the results of the initial findings but over time these perceived threats, short comings etc will change. We need more volunteers to come forward to move these plans forward and more funding to implement them. The museum project in particular will be a long tem project and require significant funding to get it off the ground. We aim to start in a small way in the foyer of the new Parish Council offices but long term we would like our own premises. We have not yet included a new Community Centre but long term this building will need replacing. This could lead to the opportunity to re-develop Mill Meadow entirely for community use. Chalfont St Peter is a vibrant village. We need to manage es Expected Time Scale the inevitable changes that will occur as we move on Goldhill Common Delivered further into the 21st Century but we also need to aged facility Delivered - preserve our identity and our historical past. Open 3 Evenings with 200 Members

available information cation and info about Delivered - With over 80 Members

Ongoing ppropriate improvements Under Development shops, transport and Ongoing ple with disabilities

ntion of village character Ongoing

All Ongoing

gration bus services Ongoing Completed and the elimination of Ongoing with 4 New Schemes s Ongoing Delvered ting local needs Ongoing

heritage Ongoing

...our village ...our voice Chalfont St Peter June 2006

How can I get involved?

Do you agree or disagree with this action plan? Are there any issues we have overlooked?

Many residents, young and old, are already actively involved in the appraisal groups, or attend public meetings and consultations which explain what is happening. There is always room for more however little time you may have. If you would like to join a group or perhaps help raise funds for any of our initiatives Please contact: Sue Moffat, Chalfont St Peter Parish Council Clerk & Secretary to the Appraisal Steering Committee - phone 01753 891582 Or email [email protected]

Cllr Linda Smith, Chairman of the Steering Appraisal Committee phone 01494 874065 Or email [email protected]

Useful Websites http://www.chalfontstpeter-pc.gov.uk/ http://www.chalfontstpeter.com/ http://www.chiltern.gov.uk

There are many local volunteers involved in this process because they care for the Village and it’s future. Please give them your support, help and encouragement.

Partners:

Chalfont St Peter Parish Council . Gold Hill Baptist Church . Tithe Barn Youth Club Chiltern & South Bucks Primary Care Trust . Rotary Club . Budgens . National Society for Epilepsy

...our village ...our voice