CLANFIELD PARISH PLAN
FOREWORD
As a relative newcomer to Clanfield, I am very honoured to have been asked to write the foreword to the Clanfield and Chalton Parish Plan. We moved to Clanfield in August 2006, and our whole family has been struck by the friendliness of its inhabitants, and also the hands-on nature of its Parish Council.
We are all very lucky to live in such a thriving village, where, with its current size and population, we can support so many shops and businesses, a surgery, pharmacy, Co- op, Post Office, Convenience Store, first class butcher and greengrocer, many Takeaways and Restaurants, pubs and hairdressers, Schools and Playground: and yet still be a proper village. We are so lucky to be in the heart of such beautiful open countryside still, all around us: with its open, rolling farmlands, as far as the eye can see, glorious bluebell woods and unspoiled hedgerows. We have wonderful views in every direction. We have much to appreciate here in a sometimes stressful world.
Whilst there are still many features that remind us of Clanfield’s past as a tiny farming community centred on the Church of St James: the Wellhead, village pond, Mill House and some very pretty thatched cottages in Old Clanfield, it is the newer parts of Clanfield and expansion of its population that now make it viable and thriving. Change has been necessary and inevitable, to prevent us remaining a sleepy backwater, pretty to look at, but a dormitory village to all intents and purposes, with no facilities at all.
The Parish Plan has been devised so that we can all contribute to keeping Clanfield and Chalton as they are, as much as we possibly can, in spite of yet more expansion foisted upon us: to stop us becoming a satellite of built-up areas to the south, and to keeping the identity and names of our villages intact and separate. We need to remain proud of this community and proud of our village. So therefore I urge you to read this Parish Plan, and to take an active interest in any proposed changes and to support those who, like you, wish to retain the status-quo.
With very best regards to you all,
Lady (Christine) Vincent
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INTRODUCTION
This Parish Plan for the villages of Clanfield and Chalton has been produced by the villagers themselves in the short timescale of approximately 15 months from start to finish. It took as its starting point the earlier “Clanfield Parish Appraisal of September 1999” and includes a wide ranging assessment of the current and future needs of the village. The plan was formally approved and adopted at a meeting of the Clanfield Parish Council on the 2 nd June 2009.
Without doubt, our village will see many changes in the years to come and this plan is intended to reflect the way in which villagers would like to see these changes occur. As the plan says, in all ways it must remain a “living document” that with regular revisions and implementation of the planned actions, will have a life to the year 2020 and beyond. The outstanding support of local villagers has been most welcome and with a continuation of this spirit our village should remain a pleasant place in which to live for future generations. Full and future updated versions of this plan can be found on the website www.clanfieldparishplan.org.uk
As Chairman of the Steering Group the most difficult task has been how best to thank the many individuals that have helped in the production of this plan. The initial idea had been to produce a list of names at the end of the document, but how do you record the help from local business, government such as EHDC, our Parish Council, the 50 plus volunteers involved with the working groups, the dozen or so villagers who tirelessly entered the data, the 200 villagers who attended the public meetings and the 750+ households who completed and returned the lengthy questionnaire?
This has caused many hours of deliberation, because to mention names and then find that someone had been accidentally omitted would be both discourteous and offensive.
Therefore the decision has been made to offer a collective thank you, to the many villagers of Clanfield and Chalton who have taken part. This is your plan and without your help, encouragement and enthusiasm it would not have happened.
Thank you.
Brian Ahern - Chairman, Clanfield Parish Council.
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1 Executive Summary ……….. ………………………………………….
2 Glossary of Terms
3 Introduction to Clanfield
4 Why a Parish Plan?
5 The Consultation Process
6 The Survey by Subject
6.1 General Data Summary
6.2 Housing
6.2.1 Introduction.
6.2.2 Summary of survey results.
6.2.3 Proposals.
6.2.4 Actions.
6.3 Transport / Roads
6.3.1 Introduction.
6.3.2 Summary of survey results.
6.3.3 Proposals.
6.3.4 Actions.
6.4 Schools
6.4.1 Introduction.
6.4.2 Summary of survey results.
6.4.3 Proposals.
6.4.4 Actions.
6.5 Shops & Business
6.5.1 Introduction.
6.5.2 Summary of survey results.
6.5.3 Proposals.
6.5.4 Actions.
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6.6 Leisure & Recreation
6.6.1 Introduction.
6.6.2 Summary of survey results.
6.6.3 Proposals.
6.6.4 Actions.
6.7 Police & Security
6.7.1 Introduction.
6.7.2 Summary of survey results.
6.7.3 Proposals.
6.7.4 Actions.
6.8 Environment
6.8.1 Introduction.
6.8.2 Summary of survey results.
6.8.3 Proposals.
6.8.4 Actions.
6.9 Health & Medical
6.9.1 Introduction.
6.9.2 Summary of survey results.
6.9.3 Proposals.
6.9.4 Actions.
6.10 Young & Elderly
6.10.1 Introduction.
6.10.2 Summary of survey results.
6.10.3 Proposals.
6.10.4 Actions.
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6.11 Signage & Village Profile
6.11.1 Introduction.
6.11.2 Summary of survey results.
6.11.3 Proposals.
6.11.4 Actions.
7 Next Steps
7.1 Acceptance and Endorsement by Parish Council and EHDC.
8 Action Plan.
9 Future Contact Information.
9.1 Parish Clerk.
10 Appendices
10.1 Detailed analysis.
10.2 Copy of Questionnaire.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Clanfield has the benefit of an enthusiastic and competent group of village volunteers ably supported by a forward looking Parish Council. As a direct consequence a number of major tasks that would otherwise have been beyond the resources and scope of a small village have been undertaken on a voluntary basis and completed successfully over the past few years. These include the complete re-engineering of the ancient and dried up village pond and a transformation of the Peel Park recreation ground. This includes the provision of new play and adventure equipment as well as environmentally sensitive fencing and a new and welcoming Lytch Gate entrance. The communities of Clanfield and Chalton are very aware and supportive of environmental issues as evidenced by the enthusiastic and detailed input from the Environmental Working Group. The village has an active Greening Clanfield campaign and various gardening schemes are calling for allotments to be made available.
Times however are changing and increasingly, both central and local government are involving local communities in decisions affecting local issues. The preferred method being by the production of parish plans that produce evidentially based information from the local population, in our case from the villagers resident within the Clanfield parish. Villagers have on many occasions been reassured that their views would be taken into account in any future development policy providing that the findings were evidentially produced and realisable. Accordingly the Clanfield Parish Council made a decision in early 2008 that it would support the formation of a group made up of villagers in order to produce such a document. Following a well attended public meeting on 18 th March 2008 the project commenced with the formation of an overall Steering Group and 10 Working Groups made up entirely of more than 50 unpaid village volunteers.
The need for such a document became increasingly evident in May 2008 when land within the village previously reserved for development was elevated to the status of being “active”. In order to gather sufficient information a detailed and lengthy questionnaire was sent to all households. The excellent response (40%) from the questionnaire (and two public meetings attended by a total of 350 villagers) has enabled this plan to be presented as being representative of the majority view. This is of immediate importance in submitting evidence to the East Hants District Council (EHDC) groups responsible for the Local and Core Strategies, Development Briefs and also of benefit to the wider communities.
It is therefore with pleasure that this Clanfield Parish Plan is presented, having been completed in a little over 12 months by the villagers of Clanfield and Chalton, with active support from the Clanfield Parish Council and East Hants District Council. It is a “Living Document” that with regular updates from yet to be formed Action Groups is estimated to last for at least 10 years.
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3. INTRODUCTION TO CLANFIELD
The Parish of Clanfield sits in attractive, open, rural countryside in the District of East Hampshire some 12 miles north of Portsmouth and 6 miles south of Petersfield. The village is adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and almost surrounded in its entirety by the recently designated South Downs National Park. The village is therefore one of the Southern Gateways to both of these important areas.
Historically Clanfield started in 1305 as a small farming community centred on the Church of St. James. The present church was rebuilt in 1875 and both bells, the font and much of the stone for the west window came from the original church. It appears that little changed for many years and in 1929 the population was recorded as 129. However, during the Second World War people started to move to the village to escape the bombing in Portsmouth and by the late 1940’s the population had grown to 500. Steady development has continued over the years with the addition of several residential estates and widespread in-filling. It is now estimated that there are about 1800 households and a population exceeding 4,000. This development has changed the nature of the village and it now consists of two parts, Old Clanfield, based around the Church of St James and containing the few remaining thatched cottages, the Well Head, village pond and the Mill House, and New Clanfield which has grown up around the Drift Road shops over the last 30 years or so; this is now widely regarded as the centre of the village. While Clanfield can now be described as a semi-rural community it is important that any further development is handled sympathetically. Some 80 per cent of the parish still comprises woods and green fields, hence "clean fields" from which
the village derives its name.
Map reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty Office .
In the above map the parish boundary is marked in red and the approximate boundary of the South Downs National Park is marked in brown.
The shape of the parish boundary is roughly oval with the long axis lying in an East to West direction. The London to Portsmouth Road (A3) runs roughly North-South through the centre
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of the parish with the villages of Clanfield to the West and Chalton to the East, so there is easy road access, particularly to the North and South. Other access is via a network of small country roads as there are no other classified roads nearby. The newer part of Clanfield is linked to the northern extremity of Horndean by a "causeway" of urban development that is approximately a quarter mile wide, parallel to the A3. The Eastern boundary extends beyond the main London to Portsmouth railway line and the Western boundary originally being quite literally through the Bat and Ball public house at Hambledon, alongside the ground that was the birthplace of cricket. A dividing line between the Parishes of Hambledon and Clanfield is marked along the centre of the floor of the public bar, although the modern boundary places the Bat and Ball just outside the Clanfield Parish.
There are regular fast trains from Petersfield to London and Portsmouth and the International Airports at Heathrow, Gatwick. Southampton and Bournemouth are within 2 hours by road. There is also a limited bus service to Petersfield and Portsmouth.
For a village of its size Clanfield is well served with facilities and amenities which are located in both parts of the village. These include two churches, two schools, nursery school, doctors surgery, dentist (not NHS), chemist, optician, take-aways, restaurants, garages, public houses, two parks, Memorial Village Hall and a range of shops including newsagents, grocery, greengrocer, hardware, hairdressers, estate agents and a butcher. Outside the village is the Clanfield Observatory run by the Hampshire Astronomical Group, and number of small businesses trade within the parish. There is also an active football club with teams playing in the local leagues and an established cricket club. There are several flourishing groups such as a Drama Group, Womens Institute, and other social groups.
The village is twinned with a French area Val d’Oison, which is literally “the valley of the Oison”. The Oison is a small river, emerging from a spring in one of the member-villages: rather similar to our own River Meon in its source, width and length. The Oison runs into the Seine at a nearby town called Elbeuf after passing through several villages, including the nine member-villages.
Clanfield has a Parish Council with ten Parish Councillors, two District Councillors for the Clanfield and Finchdean Ward of East Hampshire District Council and one County Councillor for the Butser Electoral Division of Hampshire County Council. Clanfield is currently in the East Hants Constituency and will shortly be placed in the Meon Valley Constituency, for elections to the Houses of Parliament and in the South East England Constituency for elections to the European Parliament.
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4. WHY A PARISH PLAN?
Current government policy is to encourage local communities to take the initiative in order to determine their own future. It has been demonstrated over the years that producing a Parish Plan is an important first step in finding out, recording and making known the views and aspirations of a local community on how it sees itself developing over the next 10 years or so. The main outcome is an action plan to deliver this vision which should include actions which the community itself will undertake.
A well researched and carefully focussed Parish Plan has the ability to influence the policy- making by a range of organisations such as local planning authorities, police and health and education services. It can also improve the chances of gaining local authority support for projects and improving services.
5. THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
The village had conducted a Village Appraisal and produced a detailed report in 1999, but other than identifying certain actions to be taken there had been little or no follow up. At a Parish Council meeting held in February 2008 it was agreed that all possible encouragement would be given to the preparation of a parish plan in line with recommendations from both central government and our local District Councillor. It was agreed at the outset that, although every parish councillor offered to participate, the operation should be village led. Also it was understood every household would be contacted and their opinions sought. Accordingly a detailed colour leaflet was produced and delivered to every household in the village including an invitation to attend an initial public meeting held on the 18 th March 2008.
This public meeting was well attended by approximately 200 villagers and a detailed presentation given outlining the benefits that could be obtained by producing such a plan. See http://www.clanfieldparishplan.org.uk Following a question and answer session the meeting gave the proposal an enthusiastic approval and in response to a request for volunteers to assist in the process, approximately 50 villagers in addition to the 10 Parish Councillors and a District Councillor made a commitment. As a consequence 10 Working Groups and a Steering Group were formed and in order to ensure that these were village led it was decided that no more than 2 Parish Councillors would be represented on each group. In order to assist with the costs EHDC donated £ 1,500.00 from the Local Community Forum.
The Steering Group produced a detailed timetable for deliverable actions by the Working Groups, the first being the production of a detailed questionnaire which was printed and delivered to every household at the beginning of August 2008, with a return date by the 29 th August. Various methods were considered in order to gain the maximum number of returns, including prizes of meals to the value of £30 from the 4 restaurants in the village for villagers returning completed questionnaires and wishing to participate. Also in order to make the physical return easier a FREEPOST account was adopted. It was understood that for any plan
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to be credible it must be evidence based and contain the wishes and opinions of as wide a cross section of villagers as possible. Advice given to the Steering Group based on experience from other parishes suggested that a return rate of 20% or possibly 25% could be expected. It was therefore extremely gratifying to have received over 750 completed questionnaires representing approximately 40% households.
Response from other villages 20% to 25%
Response from Clanfield 40% + Completed Questionnaires 750 + Steering/Working Group Volunteers 50 +
Data Entry Volunteers 12 +
6. THE SURVEY BY SUBJECT
6.1 General Data Summary In order to gain as much information as possible and to give the plan credibility, basic questions were asked about each household. The results to these questions were considered an important starting point against which the needs of the villagers could be established. It must be realised that the following data relates only to those villagers who have completed the questionnaire, but with just over 40% completed (21% in the 1999 Village Appraisal), the results can be regarded as representative of the village as a whole. The ratio of Male / Female is almost equal at 647 / 654, with the age distribution as follows:-
350
300 Q 2.2 250
200 150
100 50
0 <11 11-15 16-17 18-24 25-44 45-59 60-64 65-74 75-84 85+
In response to a question asking if anyone was in need of alternative local accommodation, 98% replied none.
Replies relating to type of village dwellings showed an overwhelming majority being owner occupied.
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800
600
400
200
0
1 Private rented Housing Assoc
Owner occupied Shared ownership Q 2.4 Part of employment Other
The question concerning schools and dependent children showed that Play Groups and Nursery Schools are both popular and in demand.
150
Q 2.5
100
50
0 Play group Nursery school
Primary school Middle school
Sec school School for special needs College/uni Other
A question asking about the number of roadworthy vehicles in each household showed that a total of 1246 were distributed amongst those replying, giving an average of 1.7 vehicles per household.
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6.2 HOUSING
6.2.1 Introduction
Housing is a major element of the Parish Plan in that it has a direct influence on each and every other section of the plan. A high degree of co-ordination is therefore required to ensure consistency across all elements of the plan to ensure that the end result benefits and meets the needs of the community as a whole for the future.
Q 4.1
The number, location, density and style of dwellings will determine the appearance of the village and more importantly, the services and resources needed to support the additional dwellings and their inhabitants.
It is acknowledged that new development in the village is unavoidable for political and practical reasons and the objective is, therefore to ensure that the development which does take place is acceptable in terms of the phasing of construction, the range of dwelling types, the external appearance, that any new development takes account of appropriate “eco” technology and that the resources and infrastructure of the village expand at an appropriate pace to create a balanced community.
It must be borne in mind that these proposals relate to the village as a whole and not just to the proposed Green Lane site.
Whatever development takes place, it must be of a sustainable nature and in compliance with “The Code for Sustainable Homes” published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2008. Timetables for compliance are shown as follows :-
Code Level Housing Associations Private Developers
3 (25% CO2 reduction) 2008 2010 4 (44% CO2 reduction) 2011 2013 6 (zero-carbon) 2015 2016
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6.2.2 Summary of Survey results
The emphasis should be upon local first-time “buyers” and young families and homes for the elderly. (Q4.1) Q 4.4 The majority of respondents (69%) do not believe the village can absorb new housing but most are prepared to accept that this is not a practical option. (Q4.2)
62% of respondents expressed satisfaction and 38% dissatisfaction with the appearance of new homes in the village. (Q4.3).
The view is that new dwellings should have garden space and in particular, off-street parking. (Q4.4).
The consensus is that new dwellings should mainly comprise detached and semi- detached dwellings of up to two stories (rather than terraced, flats and maisonettes) and bungalows and there is strong support for “eco” dwellings. (Q4.5)
Q 4.5 91% of vehicle owners park in their own garage or driveway. This capability needs to be matched and catered for in any future housing development.
In terms of tenure, the majority favour 1400 1200 Q 4.6 owner-occupation and shared ownership. 1000
(Q4.6) 800 600 400 6.2.3 Proposals (including areas for 200 0 additional research) Number of Owner Provide plots Rent housing Part rent/part Respondents occupied for self-build assoc buy in house Planning.
The current philosophy of the District and Parish Councils – and indeed Central Government – is not sufficiently clear. Whilst it is accepted that this must, of necessity, be an emergent strategy, the Parish Plan should seek to support the fundamental principles wherever possible. Additional liaison is required with the authorities and this should include the provision of shared ownership / affordable housing through partnerships with, for example, Housing Associations and Registered Social Landlords.
Sustainability.
The target is that all new homes from 2016 must be zero carbon-rated (as defined in “The Code for Sustainable Homes” – published by the Dept for Communities and Local Government, 2008). In view of the fact that any development in the village will take place over a period of time, we should seek to embrace the principles now with any new properties built in the village. This would include influencing developers to incorporate eco-friendly
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elements such as solar roofs, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, Sustainable heating including the possibility of Community Heating and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and other Environmental Protection measures.
Demographic Research.
In order to ensure that the provisions of the Parish Plan – with specific reference to Housing – meet the needs of the community, further research is required into the demographics of the existing community and the likely trends for the future. There are currently c. 1850 dwellings in the village and the proposal is to increase this by 275 – or about 15%. The type of properties developed must reflect the needs of the community – i.e. starter homes or retirement homes etc.
6.2.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 1 to 4.
6.3 TRANSPORT/ROADS
6.3.1 Introduction
The purpose of this section is to highlight the major concerns of parish members relating to the current situation of transport and roads within the village, and the impact that the proposed building of an additional 275 houses to the east of Green Lane would have. It should be noted that only 16 respondents expressed a need for additional housing within the village, suggesting that the vast majority of the new dwellings would be taken up by people coming into the village, who would presumably travel outside the village for work. This would increase, not decrease our carbon footprint.
The survey results indicate that there is a general perception that significant problems exist with the current road and traffic situation, and this can only become worse with additional housing development and through traffic unless drastic action is taken. The survey results are summarised below together with proposals to meet those concerns, and the necessary actions to implement those proposals.
Clanfield is in the main an ‘old’ and rural village where most of the roads are barely adequate for today’s traffic let alone any significant increase.
6.3.2 Summary of Survey Results
Main means of transport : 1600 86% of respondents 1400 indicated that they used 1200 either a car or van to travel 1000 800 to work, to attend 600 training/study or to go 400 200 shopping. Of this 0 i percentage the major use s n s s r g r le se ax u nt bu T te rain ab r va c bu T Othe me o li Bicycle lic ate coo Walkin was for leisure closely n ho m iv -s pp i Car Co Pub Pr ycle Wheel-chair ot a ents N followed by shopping, d -c pon otor es M Q 5.1 while 60% was for work. R What is not clear from the
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survey is the combined use for all three activities. An encouraging result from the survey showed that over 90% of vehicles are claimed to be parked off-road in garages or on drives - a trend which needs to be made available with the proposed new developments.
Road Standards : approximately 50% indicated that there is a need to reduce the speed of traffic and in certain areas impose weight restrictions on traffic passing through and delivering to the 1600 1400 village. Improved 1200 1000 parking at the shops 800 both in the new and 600 400 old village is seen 200 0 to be needed.
e s n s ls r ts g r p gs n ts o io ict a t t tr o oo in ance Parking at the imi c s h s n l e sh e Othe d du r lighting t t mme e t sign ndica e t a ros i g c schools is a r co pe imi d in d at sc d e s eigh k a e r l r o l h W a r Better signage ed Speed r p f Ot we e f sab road main problem. Road pondents in house ic spee d O Lo Sp r e Di s t Better street ed c ov v Re le r E Q 5.4 maintenance needs Imp Impro to be improved.
Bus Service : although only 20% 1400 indicated that they use public bus 1200 1000 services to travel either to 800 work/study/shopping nearly 50% 600 400 indicated that there is a need for 200 more routes, better timetables and 0 s t t le or ve b p ta s cess pro Other better connections to other forms house men routes e n m e eliability location im o tim ran R p s i uced costs o led ac Mor b g to ent her t ed st of public transport. The cost of d R s isa n Better ot u d Other c to B Nothin espo ion using public transport was seen to R t Better ec Q 5.5 onn be too high. C
Pavements and footpaths : just over 50% considered the pavements and footpaths to be poor for walking and for the disabled.
Flooding/drainage : 42% of respondents indicated that they had experienced problems with surface water drainage.
6.3.3 Proposals.
Conduct a study of rural transport requirements and solutions along the lines of the following town travel initiative:
Extract from: Local Transport Today • 14 April 2005 The sustainable travel towns initiative follows on from recent DfT-commissioned research on ‘Smarter Choices’. This study examined the likely impacts of implementing a range of ‘soft’ measures such as workplace and school travel plans, information and marketing campaigns, car clubs and car sharing schemes and increased use of teleoptions such as tele-working. It concluded that such measures have the potential to cut urban traffic by 14% overall and up to 21% in the peak period. Part of the rationale for the sustainable travel towns project is to establish whether these results can be achieved in practice.
Investigate possible scheme for Yellow Buses to be introduced for school runs.
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All new development should have off-road parking for more than one vehicle, ideally an average of 1.7 vehicles per dwelling.
275 additional dwellings could mean a further 460 vehicles within the Green Lane area, equating to 345 more vehicles on the road at peak commuting times. Green Lane already struggles with vehicle density, speed and heavy goods vehicles and the narrowness of the lane does not make this suitable as the access for the new development. In order to cope with this extra traffic consideration should be given to the following:-
A highly recommended proposal is that access to/from the Green Lane development should be eastwards onto the Old London Road and for this road to be extended northward along the east boundary to a new junction (possibly a roundabout) at Chalton Lane and the end of the slip road from the A3. This will enable both Northbound and Southbound access to the site and village shops .
We believe this proposal would have the following advantages:-
a) Alleviate congestion at the junction of Green Lane and Chalton Lane
b) Reduce traffic in Chalton Lane from Green Lane Eastward to the A3 slip road
c) Reduce traffic congestion during HCC proposed work.
f) Alleviate the need for traffic and heavy good vehicles using Green Lane to deliver to the shops in the Drift Road area.
g) There may be a reduction in cost.
h) Possibly less compulsory purchase of land to carry out alterations?
j) Reduce the need for works vehicles using existing lanes.
k) Reduce the need for local people to travel through the shopping centre to gain access to the A3
The results of the questionnaire show clearly that villagers have identified many areas of concern that will require consultation with many different organisations in order to reach a successful conclusion. The following are therefore proposed for discussion with the following interested parties as a matter of urgency with remaining issues listed in the Action Plan.
HCC Highways Dept./ Hampshire Police / EHDC
a) to review the possibility of reducing the speed limit or introducing speed reducing methods on the village lanes.
b) consider weight restrictions on all roads with possible exception of Drift Road, Chalton Lane and South Lane to allow access only to both sets of shops. The weight restriction controls could be by means of any or all of weight, route and time of day. Special consideration would need to be allowed on New Road for Messrs Harris’s wagons and farm vehicles would need to be excluded.
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c) discuss with bus companies about possibility of using smaller buses in off- peak periods and more convenient points of access.
d) request more regular Police monitoring of transport congestion at peak times at the schools and shops areas and investigate parking issues..
e) request review of junction visibility issues, especially at Hambledon Road/South Lane junction.
f) seek improvement in the maintenance of roads, footpaths and pavements.
g) consider the provision of pedestrian crossings on the roads leading to the roundabout at the Drift Road shops, especially between Costcutter and the PURE wine bar and improve disabled crossing points at locations to be specified following review of survey comments.
6.3.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 5 to 7.
6.4 SCHOOLS
6.4.1 Introduction.
Clanfield is well served for schools with well attended pre-school, infant and junior establishments. In common with many other parts of the country severe traffic and parking problems exist both at the start and end of each school day. This problem is made worse by inadequate (and in some cases non-existent) parking and drop-off points. The Junior School, which was the original village school, is located on the extreme northwest edge of the village consequently major congestion occurs frequently and through traffic presents hazards to the patrolled crossing at the village crossroads.
6.4.2 Summary of Survey Results.
Residents were asked to identify from a range of questions any services that they felt required better provision within the village. The top 3 requested were (highest first); School Bus, Walking Bus and Better Crossings.
400 Of the 353 respondents approximately 11% had 350 300 or were experiencing difficulties in finding 250 placements in Nursery / Child Minding / Pre- 200 150 School with approximately 3% in the case of 100 50 Infant and Junior schools. 0
A N/ e s m ous ems ems e h l l bl In response to question 9.3, asking if any n ob o roblems P r pr P s i r l nt oo hool Problems hool children under 16 are unable to take part in after O ther c om ments nde c c onde mi r e sch sp /Day Care Probld P ior s Re nfant s Chi I Jun Q 9.1 school activities only 28 responses were Nursery received.
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An initial meeting has been held with staff and members of the PTA at the Junior School to discuss the outcome of the questionnaire and the needs of the community.
6.4.3 Proposals. Q 9.3 School Bus:- following a meeting between a member Number of Respondents Lack of transport of the PTA, our County/District Councillor Distance representative and a town planner it was agreed that a Special needs Other review would be initiated regarding the previous history, in order to provide background information for future actions.
Walking Bus:- many issues emerged, scarcity of suitable drop-off points, many parents have children at both schools and then go on to work. Difficulties were raised about arrangements for a suitable rota system and serious reservations were expressed concerning the issue of safety. Further investigation needed.
800 Better Crossings:- a meeting took place on 700 th 600 the 5 February with highways engineers and 500 400 the Hampshire Road Policing Unit - 300 Hampshire Constabulary. Parents and 200 100 children were asked to block the road to 0
l s s s se u lub ub demonstrate the problem, both parties were nts b l ed u e hoo ing e c s t c n Other s s n ho mm fa i o to ial s c t cros ak c r Walking r e clear that there is a problem! nt or e e t Br Spe de h sp et fter school c n n B Ot a A po r s T Q 9.2 Re The school has been provided with a draft travel plan for comment and it is generally agreed that efforts must be made to liaise with all relevant authorities to seek a way to ease the current problems being experienced.
6.4.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 8 and 9.
6.5 SHOPS & BUSINESS
6.5.1 Introduction
Clanfield is a small semi-rural community at the northern edge of a built-up area that extends 10 miles southwards down to and along the coast. As such it has access to a wide range of retail shops and employment within that built up area.
Clanfield itself has a selection of smaller shops in two locations: • In Drift Road and Green Lane, accommodating a range of shops including two supermarkets, restaurants and takeaway foods and specialist stores; • At the junction of South Lane and Chalton lane, accommodating a small supermarket, several takeaway food outlets, and some specialist shops.
At a first glance Clanfield does not appear to have many businesses. However at closer inspection there are a significant number of small and micro sized enterprises. These vary from sole trader type businesses to those employing tens of staff in a wide range of occupations. Most of these are integrated non-intrusively into the surrounding residential accommodation.
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Within two miles, in the Horndean area, immediately to the south of Clanfield, there are a number of industrial units and land available for business use.
6.5.2 Summary of Survey Results This section summarises the results of the questionnaire survey conduced for the Parish Plan. This analysis does not consider “free text” responses filled in under some of the questions, these will be analysed as part of the on-going action process and added as part of the regular updating action. It does appear however that those responses are few (<11% of respondents), fragmented and unlikely to change the key conclusions from this analysis.
“Should the village encourage businesses to be located here?”:- 81% of respondents favour encouraging businesses to be located within the Parish. The majority of people would encourage businesses within the established shopping areas; only 21% would encourage businesses to be located in a business park or other location.
“Would a local job vacancy board displayed in the village be useful?”:-64% of respondents believe a local job vacancy board would be useful to some degree. Such a board would need to be managed, but would provide a way to advertise local jobs for local people. The “local” nature suggests this should be restricted to vacancies within a 5 mile radius of Clanfield.
“If you are employed, on average how far do you travel to work each day?”:- Approximately half of the total respondents to the survey provided travelling distances to work. Of those respondents, the average daily travelling distance declared was 27 miles. The question asks for a one-way distance, implying that the average round trip commute is 54 miles per day. That suggests travel to destinations beyond the immediate towns and villages surrounding Clanfield: it is assumed that villagers are travelling to a type of employment not available in the immediate locality.
Demonstrably, there is demand for employment, and that villagers are prepared to travel a significant distance to find that employment. It may be that some of the villagers, having found a suitable employer, have then settled into the village within an acceptable travel distance: those people may not be open to more local employment.
However, in committee it was 1200 discussed that the range of employers available in the local area was not 1000 Q 12.4 immediately obvious. Action to draw 800 attention to the range of local businesses may be beneficial. 600 400
In response to the question “Do you 200 intend to work from home?” 11% of 0 respondents already work from home, Number of Already work Yes, in next Yes, in next 4 Yes, in next No while 83% declared no intention to do Respondents from home 12 mths yrs 10 yrs so. It is unlikely that any action to make working from home more possible would be supported.
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“What facilities would enable you to work within the village?” Only 227 respondents identified new facilities that would enable them to 250
200 Q 12.5 work from within the village. Consequently it is 150 unlikely any specific activity or provision could be 100 made for that reason alone. However, if those 50
0 facilities provided better facilities for the village
C re d P min a d band Other as a whole, then action might be appropriate. Of dents n phone ad hare S childc d espo Shared a d Bro f R ve those who did respond on issues that might bring Shared facilities rove Other comments pro mp ber o I m Im Nu Improved mobile about a wider benefit: • 16% would like to see improved mobile phone access; • 67% would like to see improved broadband internet access; • 12% would like access to improved childcare.
The relatively small number of respondents probably does not justify substantial action. However some local “self help” would be appropriate.
All UK mobile phone networks report that “standard” mobile phone coverage should be good in the village 1. However only the “Three” network reports that 3G connectivity should be available.
The village is served by a telephone exchange in Horndean. The north west corner of the village is close to the maximum range (6km) for conventional ADSL broadband internet access, and availability is weak in certain areas. In other parts of the village it is known to be effective. Most mobile phone networks do not recommend broadband access via the mobile phone network; only “Three” recommend its use in this area 2 today. This may improve over time. However it should be noted that the village has been cabled and broadband internet access is available from Virgin Media to most of the village.
“Should the village set up a centralised location for mail/parcel delivery, so items can be delivered while you are away from home?”:- 77% of respondents favour provision of a centralised location for mail and parcel delivery. This provides a strong mandate for investigating how such a service could be provided. An activity to investigate this is recommended below.
“What village shops/services do you use most frequently?” :- It is clear that strong support exists for many of the village’s existing shops and service providers, with Service Respondents the following declared usage of existing type using service outlets: Groceries 91% Post Office 78% The village is well serviced by local outlets, take away food 42% and it is evident that villagers do choose to Health and beauty 36% support most of these. This is almost DIY 28% certainly influenced by their immediate Pubs 27% availability in terms of distance, ease of free Restaurants 23% parking and opening hours.
1 Source: Vodafone, O2, Three, T-Mobile & Orange mobile network operators’ websites, Feb 2009 2 Source: review of mobile phone network websites, Feb 2009
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“How far would you prefer to travel to reach the following types of shops/services”:- Only a very small number of respondents (<5% for any category) regard travel by bus as appropriate to reach any of these services.
Service type Demand within village Demand within 15 minute journey Groceries 84% 91% Post Office 91% 95% take away food 59% 71% Health and beauty 56% 75% DIY 31% 67% Pubs 48% 66% Restaurants 38% 61%
Clearly there is a strong demand for some services within the village. Groceries, Post Office, take away food, health & beauty and pubs all have a strong demand for provision within the village.
There is substantial demand for DIY and restaurants, but with similar numbers of respondents being prepared to travel a 15 minute journey to find those services. A 15 minute journey encompasses shopping areas in Petersfield, Horndean and Waterlooville within which a much larger range of providers for those services is available.
There does not appear to be a strong demand for any significant change to the existing provision of local shops and retail services. There is evidence that most services are sought within a 15 minute radius, and any further work should be focused within that radius.
6.5.3 Proposals Job Vacancy board - Provision of a job vacancy board should be investigated. There are two quite different routes by which this could be provided: • As a physical board, located in a prominent position; • As a “virtual board” on the village website.
A vacancy board within the shopping area in Drift road or Green Lane should be investigated. This would need an agreed policy for the content allowed, and would need to be managed. If the board is to be useful it will need to be kept tidy, and regularly “weeded” to remove old adverts. It is suggested that content should only be added by nominated personnel through a published route. In principle this could be undertaken by a volunteer, but the long term nature of the task suggests that one of the businesses in the shopping area should be contracted to provide the service on a revenue basis, possibly by charging for the advertisments placed. The existence of such a board may attract business to the “owning” business, and might therefore be attractive to them.
The potential for a “local jobs” section on the website should be investigated. Given the proliferation of web based advertising this would need to be constrained to local jobs, and not be taken over as a free advertising space for national employers. It is suggested that jobs advertised through the website should be from employers with the vacancy within 5 miles of the village.
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Drawing Attention to Business - Local business, and local employment, is supported by the community. The range of business available locally is not immediately obvious and should be celebrated by the Parish. It is proposed to draw up a list of local businesses, so that their potential to deliver services or employ local people can be raised in profile. This might take several forms: • A list of local tradesmen could be compiled. This could be carried out as a new activity, but it may also be possible to gather data for this by “data mining” existing information resources. • A list of local businesses and their area of activity could be compiled. • A list of local employers, and the skills that they seek to employ, could be compiled. In principle this activity could be linked to the “jobs vacancy board” activity.
It is not clear how this material should be promulgated or maintained. Both of these have the potential to require significant long term maintenance effort; paper publication would be expensive in the long term. It may be appropriate to use a section of the village website for this purpose, with “self help” submission of content and bi-yearly emails to a nominated person to check “is this information up to date”.
Improved Connectivity - There is a perception in part of the village community that improved broadband internet and mobile phone coverage would be beneficial. The mobile phone network operators claim that it is already available, but given the hilly terrain it is possible that local blackspots exist. A “self help” activity to identify areas of effective coverage for each of the networks, leading to a local information resource to draw attention to what is actually available, would be beneficial. Any proven coverage gaps could lead the network providers to improve coverage where appropriate.
An activity should be commenced to establish a geographical map of coverage for the village. This would be conducted in several overlapping ways: • By simple survey, taking phones on different networks around the village; • By inviting villagers to report their experiences; • By seeking further input from the network providers.
The results from this activity should be published on the village website, and should be offered to the network operators where appropriate as a request for service improvement.
Centralised Delivery Location - An investigation should be undertaken into how a centralised post and parcel delivery location could be provided for the village. Such a facility would operate as a recognised delivery address. It would require storage, would require people on hand to receive deliveries and would require insurance to cover the potential for any damage or loss. Consequently, it would have to be a service that incurred a cost to the villagers. Those costs would need to be balanced against the costs of travel to couriers’ or warehouses or Post Office to collect items to determine whether such a service could be financially viable.
It may be that such a service could be operated with a charge, by a voluntary group, or by an existing retailer as a further service. In principle, it could also be operated by an existing courier-type company as a value-added service. Exactly what service could be provided is likely to be determined by the range of organisations interested in providing such a service, and would need to be determined as a result of investigation.
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Drawing Attention to Local Shops and Services - The village is well supplied by local shops and services, and clearly the villagers believe that those shops and services should be supported. There is no demand for substantial change, but action to encourage further support is appropriate.
A section of the village website should be set aside to allow local retailers and service providers to advertise their products and services. This should be limited to retailers with outlets within a 15 minute journey of Clanfield. The service should be aimed at small local suppliers and not large retail chains. It is suggested that each supplier be offered one page, with a link to their own web site as appropriate. The material used would need to comply with the village website’s policies.
In committee it was suggested that the local shops and services within Clanfield seem to have had little by way of Christmas decorations, and that this was at odds with local shops in other villages. It is known that Parish Councils in other areas have encouraged Christmas decoration by having local competitions voted upon by the villagers. This encourages the villagers to take an interest in the local shops and is good for supplier and consumer alike.
It is suggested that Clanfield Parish Council consider a similar approach. This would focus on seasonal initiatives to bring the villagers into contact with the local shops and services, so raising their profile within the community. Consideration should be given not only to recognised retail premises but also to self employed work-from-home service providers, such as hairdressers.
A focus for this could include monthly competitions to find a small card in shop windows, or to find something hidden in web site adverts. The village web site would provide a mechanism for people to submit their entries and for low-overhead collation of results.
6.5.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 10 to 13.
6.6 LEISURE & RECREATION
6.6.1 Introduction The aim of the questioning in relation to the Leisure and Recreation section was to try to ascertain whether it was considered by the Clanfield residents if there are sufficient indoor and outdoor leisure and recreational facilities already available in Clanfield.
The questions were designed to seek opinion from residents and gauge response to suggestions of specific activities within the village. The questions were compiled to achieve results to support any future Parish strategy for the local community, providing an indication of community needs and point of view.
The results provide a steer as to understanding the needs of the local community and to possibly assist in the establishment of new activities needed to support existing activities and events within the parish.
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6.6.2 Summary of Survey Results and Proposals.
From 1246 responses received, 26% replied that 1400 they considered there are sufficient facilities 1200 Q 7.3 available to residents. 52% responded that there 1000 800 are currently insufficient facilities available. 22% 600 400 had no opinion. However based on the limited 200 results of this questionnaire, it suggests that 0 s s ll er rts e tes n a ts e c e b th n nts c n Fe izze s urts re t O e e n rnival u o G e teenagers, families and adults would benefit from a Da Q k nd Co C g s o omm n p c wli ll/Ba es r ennis C o a R T B b improved facilities and activities if made f et o Othe N er mb u Football/Rugby pitches available. N
Clanfield past and presently offers residents various activities and events for all ages. It could be assumed that some residents who responded to the questionnaire may not be aware that there are a number of activities/facilities, indoor and outdoor, already available in the village, which could impact on true results.
In addition, the results may have direct correlation to the aspects of communication and advertising of events and activities around the village. The lack of promotion or advertising will impact on residents’ knowledge of what is going on or available in their local community as it currently stands. It should also be noted that without the goodwill of some residents who organise activities, some events would not take place. Therefore, for activities and events to be organised and available to residents, these would require commitment and support from more people and volunteers within the community and not just reliant on a minority.
If the parish were to consider providing more indoor and outdoor facilities/activities, these would need to be fully supported by resource and funding; also it would require effective communication and advertising strategies to ensure the success of providing additional recreational and leisure facilities to the community.
Clanfield parish currently has indoor facilities available to hold a variety of indoor events and activities and the continuation of their use is essential to the community. Further investigation would be required to ascertain whether a) the existing indoor facilities are being used to their full capacity and b) they are effectively supporting the needs of the community. If they are being under- utilised or not providing activities that are of interest to residents, it would be important to understand why this is the case and perhaps should prompt a fuller review of such existing activities.
Clanfield parish already offers a number of outdoor facilities such as football pitches, cricket pitch, green space with playground items and a skateboard park. Peel Park is the home of the skateboard ramp, which is popular with younger residents of the village. The skateboard ramp, however, due to its popularity, is in need of attention and possible replacement in the short term, to ensure it remains a safe item of play equipment. Funding to support that the skateboard ramp remains available to the younger residents of the village should be considered in any planning process. This may be an ideal opportunity to revisit existing area/facilities in Peel Park, such as consideration to whether improvement to the existing pavilion would allow additional use of the facility by the community including consideration of play equipment for disabled residents. 25% of responses received suggested that disabled residents would benefit from facilities designed for this group allowing them to become more involved in community activities.
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South Lane meadow provides Clanfield 1400 parish another area open to various options 1200 1000 to the community enabling green spaces to 800 600 be utilised most effectively. Suggestion of 400 a BMX track in the meadow has been 200 0
2 s 1 rs es considered. Further investigation and t led - e i n b 5 ent e a g Adults m ena Famil re Dis e i canvassing of opinion would be required to Preschool T Respond Post ret r of support the idea. South Lane meadow may e Q 7.4 Numb be considered as a site ideal for play equipment supporting Peel Park. Of 1216 responses received, 50% suggested that preschool and children up to 12 years of age and 78% of teenagers would benefit from improved or new facilities/activities within the community. Answers to the same question suggested that retired or elderly residents would benefit from improved or new facilities within the village. A number of activities were listed in the questionnaire, as suggestions to various typical village activity. It was assumed that some activities could be held indoor or outdoor depending on the facilities available and some could be grouped together due to the type of activity. Some could be consider ‘quick wins’ if the facilities were made available and others could evolve over time when resource and funding allowed. The key areas defined from the results suggest that facilities for outdoor pursuits of tennis court/s and a bowling green/s would be of most benefit to the community, supporting the spectrum of young and older residents alike. A netball and basketball area too was highly regarded, supported by 20% of those who responded. A hard court area that could lend itself to the likes of tennis, netball, basketball or even a football pitch would be desirable. Providing a facility that could be used for several outdoor activities would accommodate maximum usage; rather than being used at ‘seasonal’ times and left unused at other times. A bowling green is desired thus supporting the community’s main focus of maintaining our ‘green spaces’ as much as possible in light of any potential future development of the village. This would allow the high percentage of Clanfield’s retired or older population to enjoy a popular key pastime within their own village rather than travel outside the village. There is demand for additional football pitches due to the number of local teams using existing facilities/pitches. Of those responses received, 15% would like to see further football/rugby pitches in the village. If a new indoor facility was available to support Clanfield existing village hall/s, then a number of indoor activities could be held eg concerts, dances, youth club, toddler clubs. It is difficult to gauge true opinion of residents due to the limited data available.
There is concern among residents that the teenager population tend to congregate in areas around the village, as there is little available for this particular age range. Providing a youth club facility would give the younger residents an area or meeting point with organised activities, ensuring that they are safe and supervised. However, it should be noted that Clanfield already may have facilities to provide a youth club but currently no club is run due to an absence of resource or community volunteers.
There was a split of opinion among those who responded to the question of ‘Would you like to see more village community projects?’ 47% were in favour, 11% against and 42% of no opinion. It is difficult to gauge exactly what type of community projects would be attractive to residents to encourage participation, based on these results alone. Further data and investigation would be required.
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Responses received supported suggestions for future community activities such as concerts, fetes and carnivals. These could be regarded as outdoor activities and therefore open, green space would need to be available. Maintaining ‘green space’ to hold large outdoor events or general open play space is paramount for the village. Fetes and carnivals have been held in the past, however, due to support and logistical issues, these have not been held in recent years. It should be clearly noted that the village would welcome any ‘additional’ outdoor or indoor facility provided for the community. However planning and strategy would need to take into consideration existing areas already populated and those residents living in surrounding proximities of any proposed site. Logistical considerations such as noise pollution, lighting and additional traffic and parking hazards should be foremost in considerations of any potential development. Infrastructure around any newly proposed facility either indoor or outdoor should ideally ensure that traffic is kept to the surrounding areas rather than encouraging more unwanted traffic into the main areas in the village.
6.6.3 Actions – see Action plan Paragraph 14.
6.7 POLICE & SECURITY
6.7.1 Introduction
Whenever the topic of Policing is discussed, it is invariably the subject of much emotion. Everyone has a view, some based on real experiences but much more likely to be based on subjective views gleaned from the media or from acquaintances. Generally, semi-rural Clanfield & Chalton is seen by the Emergency Services, particularly the Police, as a “quiet” area. Thus, the coverage by the police, for example will reflect that. However, the survey results, whether based on reality or perception will still need to be understood and fully addressed.
6.7.2 Summary of Survey Results
Perception of Emergency & Support Services
900 Villagers clearly felt the Fire Service performs 800 Q 11.1 FIRE an outstanding role, of those expressing an 700 600 opinion 92% fell in the category of 500 excellent/good/fair and 73% in the category of 400 300 excellent/good. Presumably the high “no 200 opinions” were due to a lack of personal use 100 0 of the service. Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor No Opinion
700 Following closely behind, the 999
600 Q 11.1 AMBULANCE Ambulance Service recorded a similarly
500 high rating with Clanfield & Chalton
400 villagers. Of those expressing an opinion
300 90% fell in the category of
200 excellent/good/fair and 70% in the category
100 of excellent/good. Presumably again the
0 high “no opinions” were due to a lack of Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor No Opinion personal use of the service.
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In view of the varied tasks performed by the police it was thought wise to split the Police Service into three categories for the Survey – to try to gain a more accurate picture of villagers’ views. Compared to the Fire Service, people have usually much more chance of encountering or requiring one or more of the various police services.
800 Of those expressing an opinion 65% were in Q 11.1 POLICE 999 700 the category of excellent/good/fair and 600 followed very closely with 62% for the Police 500 Community Support Officers. Presumably 400
300 again the high “no opinions” were due to a
200 lack of personal use of the service. The police 100 hold regular publicised “Beat Surgeries” to 0 Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor No Opinion listen to and discuss residents concerns – and planned actions. The Police also are regularly represented at Parish Council meetings to review and discuss local crime rates & planned activities. The PCSO lead for Clanfield has established links with the village and gives support in reducing antisocial behaviour.
600 Not surprisingly, with the diminishing presence Q 11.1 POLICE PCSO of the “Bobby on the Beat”, of those expressing 500 an opinion only 30% fell in the category of 400 excellent/good/fair and 70% rating the service as 300 poor/very poor. 200 100 0 Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor No Opinion
500
450 Whilst, therefore the general consensus within Q 11.1 POLICE BEAT 400 the parish was that police coverage was poor – 350 300 with seeing a beat bobby or PCSO a rarity - 250 some of the seemingly poor police coverage is 200 150 due to the relatively very low crime rate within 100
50 the parish. The general view as expressed in 0 questionnaire responses was that crime is not a Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor No Opinion serious problem in the Parish.
Crimes & anti-social behaviour.
In response to this question the types of concerns expressed are diverse – ranging from those
1400 associated with the car (speeding, parking, etc), real person-on- 1200 Q 11.2 POLICE BEAT
1000 person actions (verbal abuse,
800 mugging, physical attack,
600 drunkenness, minors behaving
400 badly, etc) to social nuisances
200 (e.g., dog fouling, noisy
0 neighbours, etc).
t s s k r ? s gs e r c e ing s n s u a hef g e u o T n b g alism n Ga a Drug Oth u d e l Minors ondents M k a ighb p mments b e ical att Speeding s o Van n r s Dog fouling e ru e n y R D V h Poor parking A major concern amongst isy P of o r N e Other c b m villagers is the numbers of Nu occasions when cars are seen
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speeding through the village. This is probably due in part to our proximity to the A3M – and drivers coming from / going to a high speed environment and not adjusting to the village in time, or at all.
With the impending Green Lane development, considerable liaison with highway and local authorities and police will be required to avoid any increase in this problem and where possible a lowering of speeds throughout the village.
The Survey results across the 14 types of concern can be roughly ranked in 3 groups – High (comprised 3 items), Medium (5 items) & Low (6 items – including “Other).
In the “High” concern group, the top concern of all was Speeding (15.1% of respondents raised it), followed by concerns regarding Gangs (13.3%) and then Vandalism (12.9%).
In the “Medium” group, Poor Parking (11%), Dog Fouling (10.3%), Theft (9%), Drunkenness (7.9%) and concerns re “Minors” (7.1%).
The “Low” Concern group contained some of the more serious issues to face people – and it was therefore pleasing to see these were real concerns for only a relatively very small proportion of respondents in our village. The reported concerns in this group ranged from Verbal Abuse (3.7%), through Drugs concern (3.4%) and Mugging (1.9%) and Physical Attack (1.5%).
6.7.3 Proposals.
Do you feel unsafe in the village? When asked this question the majority of villagers indicated that they feel safe in Clanfield and Chalton. Over 82% felt there were either no areas in the parish where they felt unsafe – or had no opinion. Only 18 % felt there were areas they felt unsafe and clearly future actions will be needed to identify these areas.
Closed Circuit Television CCTV Residents were asked if there were any areas in the village where they felt the use of Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) would be justified. Of those responding 42% replied yes with a significant minority 35% replying no with 23% having no opinion.
During the preparation of this plan and acting on recommendations from the Police the existing CCTV system at Peel Park was upgraded to cover the pavilion and car park areas. Clearly future actions will be needed to identify any additional areas.
6.7.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 15 to 17.
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6.8 ENVIRONMENT
6.8.1 Introduction The Environment as a topic is divided between the natural surroundings within which we live and the global environment which can impact on our lives in many different ways. As such, this global aspect touches on many different sections of this document. The questions asked within the Environment section were largely directed towards the former but the wider considerations were addressed by the Environment Working Group, with significant input from the active and visible Clanfield Greening Group. These were directed towards the specific sections of this document to which they were most relevant..
6.8.2 Summary of Survey Results Residents clearly value highly the countryside features in and around the Village. Asked to list the features which are important to them, 1472 responses were received.
89% listed the surrounding woodlands as 1600 important to them, 76% listed the hedgerows 1400 Q 3.1 and verges, 70% selected Sunderton Lane & 1200 1000
South Lane Meadows, 69% listed the 800 working farmland and farm animals and 65% 600 listed the village pond. 400 200 These responses emphasise that Clanfield is 0 d s m s d n e r g n ing la rg in a e Green Fa ml v nt try Park e uild ar still regarded by its residents as a rural pondents ton n i b s Wood l a m g f e and r n Re g Anc Ch Clanfield Pond r r of QE Cou d fa Hed tse a Worki “village”, distinct from the neighbouring Tr nderton/South Lane u Bu S parish of Horndean even though the parish Numbe Fields for horse graz boundaries abut along the developed strip of Drift Road. This feeling of being a separate rural entity no doubt contributes to the rejection by residents of further large scale developments 3. One other feature which received 1000 900 significant support is Queen 800 700 Elizabeth Country Park, valued by 600 500 81% of respondees. Although not 400 300 within the parish boundary, this is 200 100 very much regarded as a valued 0 local feature. t g s ing n ng nts ti nts? port pos e e sav e site Recycling om or rgy C trans Car shari Allotm M comm ic m. ing & cycling tect exis 6.8.3 Proposals r Ene Reduce traffick o e al Pr Com w Oth d publ e Q 3. 2 Enc. Residents were asked what measures More local employment Improv could be taken to maintain and improve the village environment. Interestingly, the highest scores were for general tidiness, including removing litter and keeping grassed areas mown and tidy. Recycling also scored highly, perhaps pointing to a greater awareness of the wider context of environment. This should be kept in mind as part of any future development of the village. There was significant support for curbing the indiscriminate use of the car. This included preventing damage to grass verges, banning vehicles on bridleways and encouraging walking
3 See Section 6.2 Housing
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and cycling. As a corollary of this, half of the respondees wanted improved public transport. This should be investigated. Two other measures receiving substantial support were the protection of the villages open spaces and reduction in traffic.
1600 Finally, about a third of residents supported the 1400 1200 provision of allotments and the establishment of 1000 800 600 communal composting. There was a mixed 400 200 response to the question asking whether there was a 0
r c s ts s y need for more public toilets. There was a 58% to n ts? tte wn e e n i o rg e nage traffi wa v g e e ve L s m wildlife si c dl pond o a r to u s ri 42% “yes” vote but 20% of respondees had no e ove ed b g Rem c are a m R n f Re i o ther comme m c r o a Re e O Publ d ffi opinion. The favoured location, where this was p tra Sto Numb Ban Q 3.3 specified, was in the Drift Road/Green Lane Roadside verges fo crossroads area. Both of these points require further investigation.
6.8.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 18 to 21.
6.9 HEALTH & MEDICAL
6.9.1 Introduction. Villagers were asked to comment on the medical facilities available within the village.
6.9.2 Summary of Survey Results.
No Problem Earlier or Weekend Later Opening Times of the local surgery 896 215 451 Opening times of the village pharmacy 1048 175 272
In response to a question about opening times at the local GP surgery 1346 replied and when asked about the village pharmacy 1356 replied. In addition, the residents were asked to identify any services which they felt required better provision within the village. The top 4 requested were (highest first); NHS Dentist, Weekend Surgery, Blood taking and Physiotherapy services.
6.9.3 Proposals
Members of the group discussed the requirements with the Practice Manager of Clanfield Surgery and the owner of the local private 1200
Dental Clinic.Recently a new NHS dentist 1000 Q 10.3 has been opened in Petersfield and the list 800 closed within a matter of weeks. A further 600 NHS dentist has recently commenced 400 operating in the Waterlooville area and at 200 0
c r t ? e ng y y st o p ls g r present villagers are able to register with m r ito elp her nts ni rnity ee llin e clini erap Blood octor enti Chir equi Ot ho y lan h D urge Nurse vis e h te f s d wh nse ing ab p th om Ma u omm rs B H HS on them. The local private dentist feels that it c end eal N Co mily H Nu a Physiot k Loan oals her F e M Patient transpo would be unlikely for Clanfield to get it’s Ot Wee Number of Respondents own NHS dentist, although he would be happy to discuss this option further with the group.
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Clanfield surgery is governed by North Hants PCT. It has an open register and would therefore expect to accommodate more patients onto it’s list as required. According to the surgery manager, residents had previously shown a preference for early morning opening and this had been provided for. It seems that our recent survey showed an increasing requirement for weekend opening which now needed further consideration. Although the surgery provides a phlebotomy clinic, it is quite limited and options for expansion were now being considered in conjunction with the PCT. The surgery already refers patients to Petersfield and QA hospital for physiotherapy treatment and the Practice Manager believes it unlikely that the services in Clanfield can be increased without direct funding from the PCT. However they will look into improving the choice of referral by offering another private clinic in the Widley area.
6.9.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 22 to 25.
6.10 YOUNG AND ELDERLY
6.10.1 Introduction.
Clanfield and Chalton have a mixed population of all ages. Being semi-rural villages, they are more isolated than communities in the more built up areas with fewer opportunities for events. This section exists to determine if the more vulnerable members of the Parish are being left out.
6.10.2 Summary of Survey Results This section summarises the results of the questionnaire survey conduced for the Parish Plan. This analysis does not consider “free text” responses filled in under some of the questions: a further update will be required once that material has been processed. Mostly those responses are few (<10% of respondents) and unlikely to change the key conclusions from this analysis; but Q8.1 has attracted 15% with comments.
Q8.1 “Are the facilities available in the village for young people:”
Q8.1 Good Reasonable 5% Poor Few rate the facilities as “good” while nearly half rate them as “poor”. 43% Clearly there is a gap to be addressed to meet the 52% needs of the young people in the village.
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Q8.2 “If there are any young people in the household would they have an interest in the following within the Village?”
Q8.2
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% Extra play- Open play BMX track IT/Com- Youth Coffee shop Organised Other ground space puter group centre groups
There is a definite preference for facilities of a social nature: a youth centre, coffee shop and organised groups would all facilitate social interaction between the young people. The other suggestions all rate similar levels of interest: around one fifth of respondents each.
Q8.3 “Are the facilities available in the village for those of retirement age:”
Q8.3 Good Reasonable Poor Few rate the village’s facilities as “good” while a quarter of villagers 23% believe them to be “poor”. While most feel they are reasonable, there is clearly work to be done before there is a strong feeling that these will meet older residents’ needs. 72%
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Q8.4 “If there are any people of retirement age in the household would they have an interest in the following within the Village?”
Q8.4
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0% Lunch club Bridge club Whist club Scrabble / Book club Discuss-ion IT / Com- Keep-fit Slimming Ballroom Day-care / Other Chess club group puter group group club dancing drop in
Again, most of the activities that would be of interest (with the possible exception of a book club) are of a social nature. Keep fit, IT/Computer group and lunch club are all popular suggested activities. Daycare/drop in, ballroom dancing and book club also have significant interest.
Many of these activities are of a nature that do not demand infrastructure, other than somewhere to meet. The village has facilities (including two schools, the Memorial hall and a church hall) that can be used for activities that may meet some of these requirements.
It may be that over a period of time most of them can be established, if there are enough participants.
6.10.3 Proposals Clearly, for both young and old residents alike, greater opportunity for social interaction is desired. A way forward may be to set up two or three new opportunities for each age group to meet socially and carry out different activities.
A keep fit group does now exist, meeting on Mondays at the Memorial Hall. Another group meets on Wednesday evenings at Clanfield Junior School. However other groups for different fitness levels may be appropriate.
An IT/Computer group appears to be of interest to both age groups. Many young people acquire good IT skills at school, and may want to share them. An opportunity could exist for the younger people in the village to work with the older residents so as to pass on IT skills. As well as providing learning and social interact, a meeting point with a wireless router and network storage unit might allow people to bring along laptops and have their valuable data backed up – providing possibly an opportunity for cherished photographs to be preserved in the event of data loss. Clearly care would need to be exercised over the data held, since
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personal data could be included the compromise of which might cause loss. There are at least two IT type businesses in the Parish; they should be approached to see if they can help in any way.
Some kind of coffee shop or youth centre is desired by the young in the Parish. Opportunities to host these should be sought. The village centre does include two restaurants: they may be able to provide a “coffee shop” type facility outside their normal business hours. Some churches do promote youth groups and these could be better advertised.
A “drop in” facility at a hall (such as the Memorial Hall) may allow a number of the requirements for the older members of the community to be met. Such a gathering could provide opportunities for games, social chit chat and book exchange.
6.10.4 Actions to deliver proposals - See Action Plan section
6.11 SIGNAGE AND VILLAGE PROFILE
6.11.1 General introduction to the subject Clanfield and Chalton are small villages on the edge of a built-up area. To the north, east and west is open countryside; to the south is a ribbon development joining the village to Horndean. Partly because of their isolation, the villages do have distinct identities. Each is proud of its local identity and guards its independence. They are too small to support their own local papers and are dependent upon space in other publications in order to gain local information.
6.11.2 Summary of survey results This section summarises the results of the questionnaire survey conduced for the Parish Plan. This analysis does not consider “free text” responses filled in under some of the questions: a further update will be required once that material is available. These responses are few (<10% of respondents) and unlikely to change the key conclusions from this analysis.
“Where do you usually get information about events taking place locally?” Q6.1
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% Parish Council Free paper Local paper Church Newsletter Doctors surgery Parish notice Other Newsletter board The Parish council’s newsletter is well supported. The newspapers are a useful source of
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information to nearly half of respondents, while the Parish council notice boards are used by a fifth of villagers.
The local newspapers available are the Petersfield Post (which has a regular “south of Butser” section) and Portsmouth News. The free papers available include Meon Valley News and the Village News. However, other than the Village News (which is deliberately targeted to Clanfield and Horndean), the profile of Clanfield in these publications is relatively low.
“If it were available, would you use a village website to obtain information about events taking place in the village and surrounding area?”
Yes No No opinion 12% Q 6.2 Two thirds of the respondents would use a village website; a significant minority 21% however would not. Clearly a website cannot be the only means of disseminating information to villagers: other means 67% must be available as well.
“Do you wish to see the village names of Clanfield or Chalton restored to our postal address?”
Yes No 2% No opinion 10% Q 6.3 Clearly a large majority of respondents would like to see the village name restored. This reflects the identity of the community, and its sense of being a village and not just part of a 88% larger town.
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An overwhelming majority of villagers wish to see the village names of Clanfield and Chalton restored to the postal address rather than just the name Waterlooville. This question resulted in a high number of 1392 responses.
6.11.3 Proposals The community newsletter should be continued: it is clearly a very useful information resource to the village. The notice boards have significant use, and should be maintained in a state of well being.
The profile of the village in the various publications serving the local area should be raised. There are a number of ways to do that: principally the editors of those papers need to have information presented to them about events and matters of interest within the Parish. The Parish council can take a lead in the first instance, but the other organisations & clubs within the Parish can also play a part which should be to their benefit. This may involve inviting journalists to events, or may involve generating press releases.
A website should be established by the Parish council. This would be able to act both as a resource for the Parish Council, and as an information resource by the village. It would be able to present information about the village itself, the local area, about clubs and societies and their events. It would also provide a resource to support taking forward actions from this plan.
To be successful, a website will need to gain the interest of the community. To do so it will need content that is useful, interesting, well presented and, significantly, changing with time. There is a significant burden in maintaining the content for such a site: to be sustainable, the community needs to become engaged in maintaining and developing its content in the longer term. To clear this hurdle, there must not be artificial barriers to contributors: no expenditure on tools should be required and there should be opportunity to develop a sense of ownership over the content they generate. The Parish Council will need to establish policies for content, and may wish to approve content before publication: but that should be transparent to the contributor.
Comments and suggestions have also been made to the Parish Council about the proliferation and state of some road signs and the untidy appearance of the Chalton Lane entrance to the village from the northern approach to the A3. These can be addressed as the plan unfolds, particularly in relation to the potential Green Lane development.
Approaches should be made to the necessary bodies to re-establish the village names into the postal address. It is assumed that this is a simple activity requiring presentation of evidence to the Post Office.
6.11.4 Actions – see Action plan Paragraphs 28 to 30.
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7. NEXT STEPS
7.1 Acceptance and Endorsement
The plan was presented to Clanfield Parish Council at the meeting on the 2 nd June 2009 and was accepted and adopted. Copies have been passed to EHDC and a copy will be presented to the Community Forum meeting on the 14 th July.
At this stage each of the Working Groups will be asked to nominate a representative to join an Action Committee formed by the Steering Group in order to follow through with the actions necessary to implement the plan.
The Steering Group will be ultimately responsible to the Parish Council for monitoring and presenting periodic revisions of the plan as future events dictate.
Full and updated versions will be placed on the website www.clanfieldparishplan.org.uk .
8. ACTION PLAN See Attachment.
9. CONTACTS
9.1 Parish Clerk, Clanfield Parish Council, 139, North Lane, Clanfield, PO8 0RN
02392 596353 [email protected]
10. APPENDICES - on line version only - www.clanfieldparishplan.org.uk
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