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 District Council Housing Planning / Strategy group; Paul Hemming, Development Manager of Cottsway Housing Association; Derek Cotterill, West Oxfordshire District Councillor.
b. Local Estate Agents
The results of a locally conducted survey of Estate Agents which identified important issues regarding housing and the housing needs of Burford’s residents.
c. A local survey
The survey identified the housing needs of Burford residents and areas of concern.
The full report of the Housing Group consists of:
Introduction
Findings
Recommendations
Findings
The Housing Group concluded that Burford’s unique character, set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and exemplified by its unspoilt character and historic buildings, should be preserved. However such is the desirability of the area that house prices have risen to an average of more than £500,000 and in consequence the cost of housing in the Town is now beyond the reach of children of some established local families. The small population of the Town is stable but ageing. 6 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc The group found that:
a. There is a shortage of affordable and low cost housing to maintain an age balance within the community. Housing of this type should be prioritised for those with a familial connection with the Town and skills which are in short supply and needed by the local community.
b. According to the ORCC 2008 Housing Needs Survey there are 23 families with connections to Burford who are eligible for a subsidised house within the town. A new survey is required to confirm current needs and reflect the 13 new units under construction in Frethern Close.
c. Concerns were voiced about the advance of new housing developments from Carterton. Close scrutiny, as is currently carried out by the Town Council and Burford & District Society, of the planning of new housing developments near Burford, remains essential. Even incremental development could destroy the beauty of the Town, worsen the traffic and parking problems that already exist and overload the town’s limited infrastructure.
d. Any new building that takes place as is permissible must be of high quality and in keeping with Burford’s existing heritage housing stock while incorporating modern energy, insulation, and low emission and water conservation measures. Though many small villages are already pioneering projects about renewable energy (solar panels, photovoltaic cells, heat exchange pumps and wind/water turbines) the group felt that advice on these matters was not yet readily available.
e. Additional housing in Burford’s built‐up areas could lead to tensions among residents and worsen the traffic problems in the town.
f. There should be closer co‐operation between planning authorities and residents or their representatives on the Town Council to protect the special character of Burford. The Town which attracts a large number of visitors does much to sustain the wider community and contributes significant revenues to West Oxfordshire District Council. The return of a bigger proportion of local taxes would help fund infrastructure improvements necessary to maintain the Town’s special status.
g. Recent floods caused hardship in the town. An urgent review of Burford’s flood prevention and warning systems has been called for to protect housing stock near the river.
(WODC has an on‐going flood alleviation and protection project. The WODC website provides the latest position from time to time. )
7 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc Local estate agents have suggested that people moving to Burford wish to live in a character property with 2‐3 bedrooms, a garden and private parking. Many are moving out of London though some do use Burford from which to commute to London, Oxford or Cheltenham. The town appears not to attract many young families and some house hunters are looking for a second home.
The group examined but subsequently dismissed a major housing development for the Town for the following reasons:
There are very few employment opportunities in the Town – there is essentially full employment in the locality. Any new housing would increase commuter traffic to Oxford, Witney and Carterton, adding to the existing congestion and negatively affecting the environment. The few land plots large enough to accommodate a major housing development would severely impact the appearance and character of the Town. A larger population was unlikely to lead to any significant increase in trade and prosperity for the High Street.
This topic is covered in their full report.
Recommendations
The Group recommends that:
1. To retain the unique character of Burford any additional housing within its boundaries should be limited to an average of five new dwellings per year over the next ten years.
2. New buildings should be constructed of local material to blend with the rest of then tow and conform to the architecture and construction methods of existing housing so as not to detract from the view of the town from the surrounding villages and roads, in particular the view from the A424 to the North and the A361 from Chipping Norton.
8 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc 3. In order to keep its compact nature, further development in Burford should be carried out through in‐filling and rounding rather than the establishment of new developments outside the existing town footprint.
4. To address the need for affordable housing in Burford, continued support should be given to the setting up of Rural Exception Schemes and housing built and maintained by local Housing Associations within the averaging limits of five new dwellings per year.
5. A new survey should be carried out to confirm the number of eligible families under the Rural Exception Scheme.
6. The relationship between the Town dCouncil an WODC Planning Department should be strengthened to ensure early involvement in any proposed housing developments. Discussion should take place with WODC to secure Section 106 funding from developments outside of the Town (e.g. Carterton) to be used to help offset the negative impact this population growth is having on .the Town
(The Town Council supports the comments above and does know that Burford is highly protected in planning terms by having a protected central trading area, being a Conservation Area and by being situated in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Affordable housing represents the thrust of new development for dBurford an current planning discussion for the forthcoming Local Development Framework (LDF) restricts development to small numbers for the 2011 ‐2026 period.
In addition all Affordable Housing is built to Code Level 3 environmental standards, 25% saving over standard Building Regulations, and will be increased to Code Level 4, 44% saving, in 2012.Historic, listed building present a greater problem which is being studied.)
9 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc TRANSPORT
Introduction
The Transport Group met regularly throughout 2008 and into 2009. Members of the group were drawn from most parts of the town, though there were no representatives from Upton or Signet. The team was informed by: a. A Local Government Representative
Paul Wilson, Oxfordshire Highways Authority, at that time responsible for road safety and road maintenance. b. Survey
The team also drew on a locally conducted survey to identify the major concerns regarding transport and the road infrastructure around Burford.
Findings
The committee’s major concern centred on the amount, speed and growth in traffic passing through Burford and the negative effect this is having upon residents. The lack of provisions for pedestrians and cyclists was also a concern as was the lack of a comprehensive bus service. The committee further found that:
1. The volume and speed of traffic through the town produces high levels of noise and exhaust pollution. The noise is exasperated by speeds in excess of the limits and harsh acceleration, poor silencers and rough road surfaces. Vibration due to the number of heavy goods vehicles passing through and servicing the growing needs of neighbouring towns is also a factor.
2. The high traffic densities create a barrier which physically divides up the community and discourages the free movement of pedestrians and cyclists around the Town. This in turn reduces community cohesion ‐ for example, the A361 divides the Town west to east and the A40 north to south. Incomplete pavements between Burford Town Centre and Fulbrook and the Burford garden centre inhibit pedestrians and cyclists. There is no bus service, pavement or cycle track between Burford and Signet.
10 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc 3. The number and speed of HGV’s travelling up and down Burford’s High Street (The Hill), along the A40 and the B4020 (Shilton Road) leave pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled at risk, especially as there is only one pedestrian crossing with lights in the town as a whole.
4. The A40 carries an increasing amount of traffic at an unacceptable speed with the attendant noise which can be heard throughout the Town. The pavements and pedestrian crossings over the A40 are inadequate.
5. There was dissatisfaction with the lack of public transport from and to Burford. Only three buses pass the Town per day travelling between Cheltenham and Oxford. An additional bus service serves the route between Witney and Chipping Norton. There is no evening or weekend service to neighbouring towns. A few informal car sharing schemes already operate in the Town but no central coordination.
(Steering Committee comment needed here regardinge th bus services and the ORCC annual directory of volunteer link‐up and villager type bus options.)
6. Residents of houses along the streets and lanes of Burford remain concerned about the speed of traffic. WODC surveys confirm average speeds are well in excess of ACPO guidelines. Despite this, no investment to moderate speeds has been forthcoming. Congested street parking is also a concern in some of these streets.
7. Parking in Burford is a major concern. There is insufficient car parking space for residents and visitors to Burford. The town’s single car park is difficult to access through narrow streets and is usually full by 11:30am on Saturdays and Sundays. Much of the parking on the High Street is monopolised by retail staff who park on the street throughout the working day denying visitors and residents the opportunity to park however briefly. The short term parking restrictions on the High Street are openly flouted.
8. The coach park in Priory Lane alongside the Primary School is inadequate, unsightly and makes poor use of the available space. Large coaches and the pollution they emit are unacceptable so close to young children attending the school.
9. Pedestrians are an important but vulnerable group within Burford as they include school children, the elderly and the infirm. Burford’s uneven pavements can become slippery and may cause accidents. There is a requirement for a footpath across the recreation Ground to the bowls club, pavilion and Scout Hut. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable on the road bridge across the River Windrush, the dangerous crossing over the A40, the lack of footpaths and cycle ways connecting Burford and the surrounding villages, and the narrow footpaths at the top of the Hill and along the 11 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc A40. The riverside walk along the river Windrush east of the town is popular with residents and visitors. Access along Witney Street to the start of the footpath is along a dangerous deregulated road without a pavement and access, via stiles, is currently denied to the disabled and those with pushchairs. In short provision for pedestrians in and around Burford is inadequate.
The group discussed a number of other transport issues and possible solutions which are described in their full report.
Recommendations
The Transport Group recommends that:
1. WODC / OCC / Highways Agency conduct, with the involvement of the townsfolk, a detailed survey of traffic and determine what can be done to reduce its effect on the Town. More specifically, Section 106 funding from planned housing developments in Carterton and Witney should be directed in part to Burford to help improve the road infrastructure and offset the effects of additional traffic generated by this new housing.2. A 20mph speed limit be imposed throughout Burford’s High Street / The Hill and enforced by mobile speed cameras made available to the Community Support Officers and nominated residents. Until an enforceable 20mph speed limit in the town is introduced, signs are erected at entry points recommending a speed limit of 20mph. A precedent exists in Oxford.
3. The pedestrian crossing/traffic lights on the High Street and at the bridge over the River Windrush to automatically turn to “red” when the speed limit is exceeded. (This measure does not currently fall within the remit of Oxfordshire County Council. Special permission from Central Government may be needed).
4. The A424 Stow road is reclassified as a B class road, in an effort to decrease the HGV traffic through Burford.
5. The current tarred chippings on the A40, A361 High Street and B4020 Shilton Road should be replaced with ‘quiet asphalt’ when resurfacing is next scheduled.
6. Vehicle activated signs should be installed on B4020 Shilton Road and any other roads where police enforcement of the speed limit has failed.
12 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc 7. Additional free on‐street parking beyond the doctors’ surgery along Sheep Street should be encouraged by removing the verge / scrub to the left on leaving the town and replacing it with a paved footpath.
8. To create significantly more on‐street parking, as many double yellow lines as possible should be removed from roads in Burford (following the initiative set in other towns heavily reliant on passing trade). Only those yellow lines necessary for access and safety should be retained.
9. Existing parking and waiting restrictions should be enforced.
10. Free car parking through the town should be maintained.
11. To improve air quality for the primary school children and to make the space available to other activities (markets etc), Priory Lane should only be available to coaches as a drop‐off /pick‐up point. The Westfield area or the lorry park at Little Rissington are, subject to negotiation with the parties concerned, the preferred sites for a coach park.
12. The bus service between Burford and Carterton, Witney, Oxford and Cheltenham is in need of substantial improvement. In particular a regular bus service between Burford and Carterton, the local bus hub, is urgently required. Evening and weekend services should also feature.
13. A new pelican crossing should be considered at the top of the High Street/Hill to allow pedestrians across this busy road.
14. The right turn from the A40 into Shilton Road should be upgraded to provide a raised / kerbed central reservation, allowing easier and safer pedestrian crossing and reducing traffic speed. This will encourage more people to walk to the garden centre and integrate residents of Shilton Road with the rest of Burford.
15. A footpath and cycleway is constructed to connect Burford and Signet.
16. The footpath along Shilton Road should be extended up to then Garde Centre.
17. The footpath along Witney Street should be extended to the start of the River Windrush footpath.
18. A footbridge should be built across the River Windrush to the west of the road bridge with the addition of a pelican crossing allowing pedestrian to cross to the Fulbrook side footpath of the A361. Alternatively, the traffic lights on the bridge should be controlled by pedestrians to allow them to cross without competing with vehicular traffic.
13 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc (The Town Council notes the recommendations above and concurs with many. Measures to remove the bulk of HGVs from Burford’s High Street have been progressing for years but just might be nearing a resolution in the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) to be implemented in 2011.
Speed sensitive traffic lights are in widespread use in France and Holland so must comply with EU traffic regulations. Their use here needs further investigation.
Parking is a perpetual headache for Burford and short of having a traffic free town, as in the National Trust village of Laycock, stands little chance of meeting everyone’s requirements. Burford’s car park is usually full by 11:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays so that overflow is dispersed around the town. Some residents complain that they cannot get out of their front doors due to visitors’ cars parking in front of their houses whilst others cannot get to theirs because they are prevented from parking outside. This subject requires considerable study.
Bus services are under utilised and heavily subsidised by Councils. A redesign to hub on Witney or Carterton from outlying villages and towns might be worth further study.)
14 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT
Introduction
This is the Executive Summary of the Community Services Report
This team drew on: a. Interviews with representatives of public services.
These included the Schools, the Library, the Post Office and the Fire & Rescue Service. b. A questionnaire to voluntary organisations.
The voluntary organisations included the Burford Concert and Theatre Club, ‘Mobility Classes’, The Friday Club, SPECAL, The Cotswold Children’s Choir, The Burford and Fulbrook Womens’ Institute, Alice’s Book Club, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Scottish Dancing Group, The Windrush Art Group, The Burford & District Horticultural Society, The Burford & District Society,e Th Cotswold Antiques Study Group, The Burford Scout Group, The Burford Orchestra, Burford Brownies and Guides, Age Concern (Oxfordshire) and the Burford Tenants’ and Residents’ Association. c. Discussion meetings. d. A web based survey of local charities.
The full report on Community Services consists of:
Introduction
Findings
Recommendations
Six appendices deduced from the activities listed above.
Findings
Public Services
The report recognises that all the existing public services alongside the retail and business services in Burford are essential to the town’s community. The Post Office is heavily used as is the Library each of which provides a comprehensive list of services with some scope for further development. Both Burford School (secondary) and Burford Primary School are popular, provide vital services and have important facilities with capacity in some areas for added community activity. Their catchment areas are wide. Burford School suffers from being divorced geographically from the centre of the town but there is scope for improving its interaction with the local community through shared information links. The Burford Primary School is concerned about the effects of the coach park in Priory Lane. While Burford’s Fire & Rescue Service is recognised as an essential part of the community’s services, recruitment and retention reflect the town’s demography and pose severe problems.
Community Support
Burford churches (Approx 5) minister to Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Methodists and Quakers. Each has its own premises and provides venues for a wide range of community activities for all age groups.
15 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc Additionally there are four local charities (Approx 6) which provide financial support to individuals or groups; The Burford, Upton and Signet Welfare Trust, The Burford Almshouse Charity and the Burford Relief in Need Charity (known collectively as The Burford Charities), The Burford School Foundation and Falkland Hall Trust.
Voluntary Organisations
The number and variety of local organisations is a product of Burford’s extensive ‘hinterland’ so that their membership is drawn predominantly from beyond the immediate locality. For instance Burford boasts a number of choral and musical groups performing to an extremely high standard.
These activities are almost exclusively supported by private transport. There is no comprehensive directory of Burford’s voluntary organisations and though many people and groups provide help on an individual basis the community lacks a ‘Link‐Up’ scheme to coordinate and promote such efforts.
Meeting Places
Uncertainty and a feeling of exclusion by the community in decisions about the future of the Warwick Hall are unhelpful. Though Burford has a variety of alternative meeting venues (5 churches, 2 schools, the Bowls Club, neighbouring village halls and dedicated facilities for scouts, pre‐school and CCF), none provides a large, versatile, community hall. This shortcoming is keenly felt and restricts community activity. Though Warwick Hall is currently extensively used by societies and other groups, its facilities are outdated and the venue has become unattractive for most functions. Technically Warwick Hall is vested in the Diocesan Authority and on trust for the benefit of St John the Baptist Church, Burford. Were this verified it would suggest that the church could not make any changes to Warwick Hall without the agreement of the diocese though it would not mean that the diocese either owned the building or could sell it. In effect, therefore, it would appear that Warwick Hall belongs to St John The Baptist Church. It is however currently leased to the Town Council on a 30 year lease which expires in April 2012. The Town Council is meanwhile responsible for its maintenance.
Post April 2012 the official line is that St John the Baptist Church will continue to make Warwick Hall a resource that will be utilised by the Town and that plans to modernise the building will be linked to the growth of church activities. Therefore without confirmation that the building will remain in perpetuity as an available and useable community asset beyond specifically church activities there is little likelihood that funds for its redevelopment will be forthcoming from the Town or from the wider community.
(The Town Council is aware that a project is underway to redesign the Warwick Hall complex and that funding will take this to the planning permission stage. We await further information.)
Facilities for the Elderly ‐ Disabled Access generally and the former Cottage Hospital.
There is a lack of disabled access to many of the town’s public buildings. Burford no longer has its cottage hospital and therefore no day centre for the elderly and infirm. The site of the old hospital is expensive to maintain and lacks adequate car‐parking. It is currently owned and used by SPECAL for dementia care training. There are no plans to sell the building.
Though there are clubs and support groups specifically geared to the elderly these are hampered by a dismal lack of facilities and/or adequate public transport (see below). The elderly and disabled find it difficult to get about Burford and its High Street, footpath parking on the Hill prevents those using electric scooters from going up and down freely.
Facilities for the Young.
Organisations such as the Cotswold Children’s Choir and Guides and Scouts centred on Burford serve a wider area. The demography of Burford and the lack of adequate public transport make more locally based
16 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc organisations for the young difficult to sustain (vide the recent demise of the Youth Club). There is an acute lack of more casual provision (coffee, snooker, films etc.) for the young.
Other Infrastructure
The town recognises that (with a population of only around 1,350) it is unlikely to be able to support a major project such as a swimming pool. There is some demand for allotments and potential for more extensive use of existing facilities. Community composting schemes operate successfully in nearby villages and are an attractive proposition.
Refuse Collection, Recycling and Conservation
While new waste disposal and recycling regimes gare bein introduced by WODC the present system which does not allow commercial premises to send glass bottles, cardboard, etc., for recycling and is unsatisfactory. Litter bins in the Town are well sited but are emptied too infrequently. On the recreation Area, however, bins are ignored and rubbish, including broken glass, is a problem. Suitably positioned penalty notices might help. The Town conducts a creditable biannual ‘clean‐up’ which needs to be better publicised.
Communications
Existing communication methods including parish magazines, notice boards and the town’s website have a limited distribution. There is no universal and reliable way of communicating with residents or of reaching into the hinterland. The town’s web‐site needs to be made more accessible and notice boards could be improved and kept up to date. There is no ‘welcome pack’ available to new residents.
Transport and Bus Services
Though transport is the subject of a separate report, any shortcomings in the provision of public transport contribute significantly to the difficulties experienced by those who manage and use community services. Principal among these are the difficulties the elderly and others with reduced mobility experience in getting about the town, shopping and visiting hospital. Young people without independent transport are unable to access community facilities in the neighbourhood.
The committee identified the following inadequacies in respect of local bus services:
Skeletal frequency
No evening or Sunday service
Free bus passes available to a very restricted section of the population
An inadequate link to Carterton (nearest supermarket)
Lack of published information about the ‘Villager’ service
Almost total lack of suitable transport for hospital visits.
Town Twinning
The potential offered by the town’s link with the Italian town, Potenza Picena, would be enhanced by better dissemination of information and improved communication.
The Burford School Uganda Link is a success and brings together the Anglican churches in Burford and Kalanga. This could be developed into a wider town involvement.
17 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc
Recommendations
Communications
The group’s main conclusion is that better communication within the community lie at the heart of the continuation and improvement of community services in Burford. The following could be achieved with minimal cost:
The establishment of a regular, widely distributed community newsletter covering council news, reports on community activities, forecasts of future events and activities involving local clubs and societies. The development of the town’s web‐site with links to other related sites. A register of locally available services. A comprehensive directory of voluntary organisations and their activities. A register of available meeting venues with information about the facilities offered. The production and distribution of a welcome pack for new residents. A maintenance routine for the town’s notice boards. The formation of a volunteer link‐up scheme.
Infrastructure
Wide consultation is required to promote work to develop a versatile meeting place, commensurate with Burford’s existing and future requirements. Further research into the demand for allotments is necessary.
Disabled Access
Encourage where possible improved disabled access to community facilities.
Facilities for Young People
Provide an attractive, informal, facility where the young can meet for coffee, snooker and films etc.
Town Twinning
Improve the dissemination of information about the existing link between Burford and Potenza Picena. Explore the opportunities for expanding the School’s link with Kalanga in Uganda.
(The Town Council has commented earlier that hubbing bus services on Carterton or Witney might be worth study.
The Town Council notes many useful suggestions above and will discuss further.
The Town Council notes that the Recreation Ground and Westfield are not mentioned. Both are valuable assets to Burford although not used for cricket, tennis and football as frequently as in former times. The Town Council has plans to enhance the general recreational use of the open spaces and welcomes the town’s comment.)
18 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc
COMMERCE & TOURISM REPORT
Introduction
The group looked into commercial and tourist issues in Burford. Visiting advisers included Will Barton from WODC and Ann Tweeney from ORCC.
Initial discussions by members of the sub‐committee, most of whom are involved in business in the town, led to a survey and further research. The outcome is this report. It concerns Burford, Upton, Signet and the adjoining village of Fulbrook. There has been some informal contact with the agricultural community but no requirements were highlighted.
The team drew on:
A Local Survey and Questionnaire. The committee circulated a short questionnaire to 145 businesses eliciting 37 written replies, a 26% response.
Discussion Meetings. These meetings also led to further discussions with other business people.
Information gathered from Burford’s Chamber of Trade. With a membership of 44 businesses, the Chamber of Trade is representative of much of the retail and service community.
Internet. Data (business rateable values/properties and planning issues) was acquired, from the Internet.
Findings
Comments from those approached suggested that the independent nature of the retail outlets, the attractive environment and a friendly atmosphere accounted for much that was special about Burford. It was felt that local authorities could do more to support Burford’s unique character by better publicity, sympathetic planning decisions and improved local services.
Location
Burford is under 90 minutes from London, Birmingham, Bristol and towns in the ‘M4 Corridor’. However approx 70% (Questionnaire) of customers are local or from within 50 miles of the town. As a working town, Burford provides amenities and shops far exceeding what might be expected from a community of a little over 1000. Signposting of the town from the main roads is unsatisfactory. The single ‘brown sign’ at the eastern approach to Burford is on the wrong side of the road and largely obscured.
Trade
The majority of businesses are small and family run. Most are managed by people who live in the Town or immediate area, so it is equally important to them that Burford remains a good place to live as well as one from which to earn a living. The town’s retail and hospitality trade relies heavily on visitors for much of its income. Withoute th large number of visitors to the town the ‘service’ shops would struggle to survive.
There are 156 businesses within Burford, ranging from home based, and single person operations to those employing over 30. There are twenty hotels, restaurants, inns and cafes, ten of which offer rooms, and fifty retail outlets. The Town has a small supermarket, a pharmacy, butcher, bakers, delicatessen, post office and newsagent, two hairdressers and beauticians. Several companies whose business does not depend upon their 19 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc being in Burford have been attracted to the town. It is essential that these enterprises are provided with the infrastructure to allow them to operate effectively with reliable communications (e.g. fibre optic connection is provided to the Old Brewery complex), a ready source of employees, efficient public transport and parking.
Current Commercial Situation
Business rates and rents have continued to rise steeply in recent years, despite a levelling of trade and business, and traders believe they pay too highly to receive limited services, e.g. there is no free trade refuse collection, and too little promotion of Burford. These high rates could lead to under capitalisation, which with poor economies of scale increase retail costs would deter residents from shopping in the Town. Were this to happen, the Post Office, banks, pharmacy and service shops would be vulnerable.
Within the retail and hospitality sector, business in Burford has been decreasing gradually over the past 5 or 6 years. This is partially attributed to a decline in US tourists following the terrorist attacks in New York and London and fluctuating exchange rates. Burford’s reputation as an important centre for antiques has declined as antique dealers have retired and due to the general reduction of interest in antique furniture, their premises have changed use and in their becoming less specialised, Burford lost one of its unique attractions.
Many Burford residents no longer shop for their general groceries in Burford but make use of nearby supermarkets. These provide greater variety, some economies and much easier parking.
Affordable Housing
Businesses and services in Burford need local employees. There is a need for local and affordable housing. The community schools report they have difficulty recruiting staff as the existing housing to buy or rent is too expensive. This issue is covered elsewhere but Burford’s business community recognises that the town’s housing stock needs to increase slightly if businesses and services, essential to the community, are to be maintained. A small, carefully designed and screened, clutch of houses on the outskirts of the town which would not detract from The High Street or the Town’s approaches would be welcomed.
Tourism
While Burford is already famous for its characteristic Cotswold beauty, tubs and baskets of flowers and greenery would be welcome in the High Street, on the Tolsey and on the main approaches to the Town in common with a number of nearby towns and villages. The roundabout on the A40 at the entrance to the town is unattractive. The space lends itself to a structure of some relevance or a “gate” that would welcome visitors to the ‘Gateway to The Cotswolds’. This might be undertaken jointly by the Town and the Highway Authority. The existing brown tourist signs on the A40 are inadequate, being too small and badly situated, signage from further afield also leaves much to be desired, there being no mention of Burford east of Witney. The Chamber of Commerce is erecting a large sign to the west, but needs sites on the other entrances to the town, it also has plans to make use of unusual flags to brighten the Town and hopes to encourage the community to join the project.
Although large numbers of visitors come to Burford for the day, retailers are anxious to promote the attractions of staying in the town. One suggestion is, with the help of travel agents, to publicise Burford as a “Complete Market Town Experience” in which several businesses combine to offer a “package” of services.
The town feels under represented by the WODC’s Tourist authority. It has been noted that Burford’s Visitor Information Centre is reluctant to co‐operate with local organisations and contributes less than might be expected. The centre is currently poorly located. Burford has a thriving festival every two years and frequent concerts. There might therefore be opportunities to market the Town as a music centre in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. It would be an advantage if the Tourist Authorities could inform the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council of any promotional opportunities. Few of the Town’s businesses have spare funds to contribute
20 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc to large advertising campaigns, but many support such activities as the Festival and the Chamber of Trade’s Advent Fair. Other events have been suggested for example specialist Markets, a recent “French” market, very popular with both residents and visitors is planning to make bi annual visits. The Chamber of Commerce is commissioning a survey to learn the needs of potential customers, and how to improve services.
Better dissemination of information regarding grants and opportunities is needed. Official help for the town to obtain a part time, professional publicity officer would be welcome. South Oxfordshire is setting up a Professional Town Manager to cover Henley on Thames, Wallingford and Thame. A similar initiative by West Oxfordshire to take in Burford would be welcomed.
A “History Trail” to interest visitors and residents alike has been proposed with the involvement of a number of town associations and the Tourist Authority to help in planning permission and funding for signage and leaflets.
Website
Following discussions for this paper, The Town Council, Chamber of Trade, Burford Secondary School and the Anglican Church have collaborated to produce an attractive website which advertises the Town and its activities. To be effective it must however continue to evolve and be kept up to date. High ratings on search engines are vital and local businesses should be encouraged to link their websites to the Town’s. Action for Market Towns is a useful source of information about this.
Transport
The questionnaire concluded that the lack of a comprehensive transport network serving Burford acted against the interests of the Town’s traders. It failed not only to bring visitors, employees and local villagers into the Town and contributed to the parking problem. Fortunately this seldom affects overnight visitors because they usually have their own transport.
Bypass and Large Retail Developments
Burford’s characteristic is that it is not only picturesque but a ‘working town’ which needs the ‘passing trade’ to maintain it. Few businesses in Burford therefore support a bypass and an inner ring road would seriously impair the fine views of the Windrush Valley. Nearby small towns, now bypassed, have been left empty and bleak. However, a reduction in the volume of heavy lorry traffic would be widely supported.
By the same token the introduction of a large retail development on the edge of the town would destroy the character of the Town and the High Street in particular.
Parking
Businesses in Burford support free parking in West Oxfordshire. The most consistent complaint in the Town is the lack of car parking space. The existing car park overflows at weekends and sometimes during busy weekdays. Much of the on street parking is occupied throughout the working day by staff from the retail outlets. The car park prohibits parking for a full 24 hours. Residents and hotel visitors without dedicated car parks have therefore to park on the street. There is a 2 hour limit on the East of the High Street which is inadequate and commonly flouted. An enforced restriction of 4 hours would allow time for visitors to shop and have a meal. Further waiting restrictions and specified loading bays would allow deliveries, release the flow of traffic and importantly, encourage people to shop in the town. The single loading bay planned is likely to be insufficient.
The Town Council is aware that a second car park in the Town has become essential and is searching for a solution. Possible sites include an area to the west of the town accessed from the A40 via Tanners Lane with 21 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc an exit along Sheep Street. There might also be scope for a Coach Park, accessible from and exited via the redeveloped Bibury/Cirencester junction.
Public Toilets
Currently there are adequate public conveniences though the three in the Car Park are satisfactory when not out of action from vandalism. Vigilance by residents ande th police remains necessary. WODC has plans to improve the quality but reduce the number of public toilets in the High Street when the site is redeveloped to accommodate the Visitor Information Centre. A central Government scheme to encourage businesses to allow public use of their lavatories in exchange for a small reduction in rates should be considered.
Recommendations
The committee recommends that:
1. A second car park is provided on the western edge of the town.
2. A 4 Hour Limit replaces the existing 2 hour restriction on the west of the High Street. Additionally, three or four short term loading bays with 20 minute restrictions be providedr nea to the Post Office, Cash Machine on the East of the High Street and near to the central supermarket.
3. Enlarged ‘brown signs’ signalling Burford the Mediaeval Market Town, with an indication of services and the church are erected on the A40 and A361.
4. The establishment of a professional part time town publicity/liaison officer be considered.
(The Town Council notes the above. WODC has an officer dealing with economic development and a portfolio holder with similar responsibilities. These two could be consulted on the above.
Traffic matters can be discussed at Burford Traffic Advisory Meetings with the police andy Count engineers.)
Annexures:
1. Steering Committee and Discussion group Members.
2. Burford Voluntary Organisations.
22 BURFORD TOWN PLAN 2011 Final Version.doc