Burford, Today and Tomorrow
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Burford, Today and Tomorrow. 1 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc BURFORD TODAY AND TOMORROW Contents Foreword…………………………………………………………………………Page 2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………...……….3 Historical Perspective………………………………………………………………....3 Burford Today…………………………………………………………….…………..4 Methodology and Reports………………………………………………….…………4 Housing and Transport………………………………………………………….…….6 Housing…………………………………………………………………………………6 Transport………………………………………………………………………………10 Community Services…………………………………………………………………..15 Commerce and Tourism………………………………………………………………19 Annexures: Steering Group and Discussion Group Members Burford Voluntary Organisations Foreword. The idea behind town and parish plans is to obtain the views and suggestions of the wider population. Government in all its forms needs to know what the wider community thinks. Those involved in Government at all levels are usually people who have ideals, vision and the interests of the community at heart but are often channelled by background or even their very involvement in a strata of government. The Burford Town Plan has endeavoured to reach all corners of the community to engender and gather opinions and comment. No councillors have been involved in gathering this information and, consequently, you will find some Town Council comments have been added later to the plan. These are for clarification or additional information. Admittedly this plan cannot be exhaustive and is only a snapshot in time, a milestone to provide guidance for further work. Those of you who delve below the surface or are involved in any of the topics mentioned in this plan might also have ideas or views at variance with the text. In that case maybe the information here will cause a rethink or lead to better dissemination of information. The Town Council will welcome feedback after publication of this plan. Derek Cotterill. West Oxfordshire District Councillor for Burford, Fulbrook and Taynton. 2 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc INTRODUCTION This report was initiated by a series of town meetings describing the purpose of Parish/Town plans and supported by presentations from the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC). Councillors reinforced the value of such plans and suggested the workload involved. These town meetings led to the formation of a Steering Committee whichn in tur established four discussion groups (Housing & Transport, Community Services, Commerce & Tourism and The Environment) conforming to the schematic below. These groups were intended to represent a fair cross section of the community and remain as impartial as possible; they did not include councillors. Members of the Steering Committee and the four discussion groups are listed at Annex 1. As the Steering Group has stated “Our wish is for Burford to be a thriving town which adapts to a changing world but remains a special place to visit and in which to live and work”. Trying to establish a future plan for a town which started as an Anglo‐Saxon stockaded settlement, a burh, evolved into a rich medieval trading town and after a 1,000 years is still a successful trading town largely unchanged from the medieval inception, has led to this report – ‘Burford Today and Tomorrow’, the result of surveys, analyses and suggestions. The views of a wide cross section of Burford’s population have been obtained to define the town and its character today and whether, and if so how, it should be developed over the next ten years and beyond. ‘Burford Today and Tomorrow’ covers a wide range of issues that are considered important to the everyday quality of life in Burford and we hope that it will be seen as a strategy to inform town, district and county councillors, planners and operational staff when they consider measures which will have an impact on the town, its businesses and its population. These issues include policies which seek to further economic development, protect, conserve and enhance our natural and built environment, provide homes that people can afford, increase recreational facilities and support energy conservation and recycling. The Plan also recognises the specific requirements of the older and the younger members of our community. With this in mind the Steering Committee have set out to: Understand the current concerns and aspirations for the Town held by Burford’s residents businesses and visitors. Facilitate a regular and open dialogue between the Steering Committee and representatives of the Town’s community to reach a broad consensus. Develop a short to medium term (10 to 25 years) plan for Burford which responds to these views, has local support and is consistent with reasonable funding expectations. Identify where funding is needed if the plan is to be realised within an acceptable timeframe. Historical Perspective Granted a Charter to hold a market in the 1090s, Burford was a centre of commerce before that and remains so today. Surrounded by agricultural land and at a major crossroad, it has long benefited from both domestic and foreign trade. 3 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc The small town has provided services to outlying communities such as Upton, Signet, Fulbrook, Taynton, The Barringtons, Windrush, Holwell, Westwell, and more recently Bradwell Village. Burford and the surrounding area benefited from a lucrative wool industry that developed between 1066 and the 1550s. Thereafter, until 1850, it relied more modestly on its position as a coaching halt at a busy crossroads. A leaner period followed until the middle of the 20th century. In consequence little modernisation was carried out on its buildings, preserving its historic character and charm. Also preserved is a product of the wealth generated at the height of the wool trade; Burford’s now famous church of St John The Baptist noted for its connection with Oliver Cromwell’s harsh treatment of some of the Levellers there. The inns and public houses, so popular in a bygone age, once again drew in visitors as soon as travel for pleasure was re‐established after World War ll. Visitors were also attracted by the range of shops in the picturesque High Street whiche at on time dealt in leather goods, everyday necessities and food but latterly boasted antique shops, a range of other specialist stores and more general merchandise. Burford Today Known as The Gateway to the Cotswolds, and set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Burford is a beautiful small market town well known for its listed buildings with one of the most visited and beautiful churches in the country. The Town has a charming small museum and one of the most attractive unspoilt high streets in Britain. Burford’s wide High Street contains 41 shops and 16 other businesses. There are a further 40 or so businesses locally and Burford is classified as a ‘Service Centre’ by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC). The Town is a clean, safe environment with a low crime rate. Nearby facilities include a large garden centre, a busy golf course, a wild life park, the river Windrush, well marked rural walks and a few cycle tracks. Today the Parish of Burford includes Upton and Signet. The villages of Fulbrook and Taynton are adjacent and part of the Town’s social sphere. In the 2001 census Burford had 1,340 inhabitants. It currently has 1016 on the electoral register. They live and work in 577 properties. Forbes, the influential American magazine, recently reported that Burford was 6th among the 10 most desirable places in Europe in which to live. Methodology & Reports Discussion Groups were formed as shown in the diagram below. Each was chaired and a succession of members contributed or called upon people in various fields of expertise in order to formulate a report of their findings and recommendations. A great deal of information was gathered in the course of the groups’ enquiries and discussions. This included what commentators felt was attractive about Burford and highlighted those areas where improvements might be introduced. The executive summaries below are consolidated digests of the groups’ work and concentrate on positive and practical ideas to take Burford forward in the medium term. The work The Environment Group has an impact on all aspects of Burford’s life. In preference, therefore, to a stand‐alone report on environmental issues, the points raised by this group have been incorporated into the body of this document. One of the overriding considerations for each group was that their recommendations must be achievable. 4 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc Burford Town Plan Retail Commerce Health Centres/ Lt Industry Youth Ageing Police Hospitals Population Fire Schools Commerce & Pre, Primary Secondary Visitor Tourism Info Churches Halls Office Community Sport & Tourism Services Recreation History Libraries Signage Museums Public Charities Conveniences Visual STEERING Aspects Physical C’TEE Clubs & Environment Societies Pollution Availability Environment Housing Low Cost/Affordable Waste Disposal Town & Lighting Transport Buses Water Quality Cotswold Roads Traffic AONB Nature Flooding Footpaths Flora/Fauna Taxi s Trains Parking 5 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc HOUSING & TRANSPORT REPORT HOUSING Introduction The Housing and Transport group met regularly throughout 2008 and into 2009. The members represented most elements of the town, though there were none from Upton or Signet. The team drew on: a. Interviews with representatives of local government and other authorities Tina Rowley, from the West Oxfordshire