Littleport Masterplan Public Consultation Feedback – Options Stage
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Appendix 3i – Options stage consultation results Littleport Masterplan Public Consultation Feedback – Options Stage Options Stage Consultation The purpose of the options stage consultation was to gather views on the options presented, in particular on the future level of growth for the town. Consultation activity included a public exhibition, a questionnaire, a community stakeholder workshop and meetings with key stakeholders. Exhibition and Questionnaire Respondent Profile 95 questionnaires were completed and returned, either at the exhibition or on-line via the East Cambridgeshire District Council website. 89% those completed the questionnaire were residents of Littleport, 2% resident of a local town/village/rural community within 5 miles of Littleport. 7% were from a local business. 4% of respondents are aged under 20 years, 6% aged 20-34 years, 24% aged 35-49 years, 36% aged 50-64 years and 31% aged 65+. Attendance at exhibition 113 people attended the exhibition (1.4% of population). On Sunday (11am – 4pm) 41 people visited the exhibition, on Monday (10am – 7pm) 72 people attended. Landscape and Public Realm Framework 92% of respondents agree that enhancing and embracing the town’s natural surroundings should be a fundamental principle of the Masterplan. Comments: Obviously Generally, natural surroundings govern the location of key facilities - however they should not impede development We are fortunate to have so much green surrounding and this should be presented, enhanced at all costs Depending where you live in Littleport do you get these views - sunrise over the river can be viewed as well It’s a must - no more houses Flooding may well be a future issue Important not to develop in flood plain. Important to create good green spaces both for enabling physical activity and for improving general health and well being I think the marina should be opened up and enlarged Maybe a public slipway would encourage people to use the river than go to Ely. 81% agree that Littleport’s landscape edge is important. Comments Need Bridleways Not much variety in landscape - more trees on edge of Littleport Providing the proposals have no impact for existing residents, and changes are "considered" not "imposed" Littleport's strongest features are the river, the fens and the railway. It can't compete with, for example, Ely, because it doesn't have characterful building. Focussing on its green setting will make the most of its best features. Littleport suffers from being less picturesque than surrounding towns/villages Yes important for transition from urban development to rural Depends how... For adequate development of Littleport, people need to think beyond just providing greenery Walks are not apparent. Green fingers offer tracks along busy roads, eg Grange Lane, where traffic is busy coming off bypass and at school times in and out Industrial area should be screened for both sides Keep footpaths open We must keep a green lung around Littleport and a green belt separating us from Ely Other areas where more green open space should be provided are - Around already existing town centre homes Within the village, especially on new estates e.g. land between crescent and Padnal Within the town centre Within the Highfields estate Between Littleport and Chettisham Comments: Around already existing town centre homes Along both sides of the riverbank or else increase risk of ribbon development Proposals on plans and finger connections look good. On the land at the moors Importance in connectivity to green space Looks good This seems a sensible approach, but don't get carried away on unrealistic schemes which will never happen, e.g. water taxi/hotel! Within the village especially on new estates but land between crescent and Padnal for example might be developed as green areas of parkland etc. Land is rough at this time In the centre, with trees Near river bank More green open space in the centre of the village where possible Keep river bank There should be more green belt inside the town - there is only one such green patch in the main town. House building in Highfields has to stop and more green space needs to be created there. If this is not done Littleport will have become an urban carbunkle in 50/60 years Should be provision within each area being developed but needs to be realistic size. The one in Ashley Gardens is so small it just provides a nuisance to surrounding houses. Within new housing development - often small gardens, so children forced to play in road Path to Padnal and river via Eastfields should be a major 'green finger' A permanent green belt between us and Chittering, separating us from a growing Ely River More open spaces will make the village more attractive Neighbourhood Structure Framework 63% of people agreed with the neighbourhoods principle, 54% agreed these should be centred around the primary schools, 37% disagreed – and the following alternative focuses were suggested: Closer to housing Off Wisbech Road and Ely Road The Medical Centre The Post Office There were a number of comments in favour of retaining the focus on the town centre. Comments: We still do need town centre facilities! Many people are not in Littleport 9-5! Not everyone can/will come into town centre. Facilities need to be open more than 9-5 If a bus service (minibus?) operated around the neighbourhoods then people would easily be able to come into town centre shops. However Littleport needs a out-of-town shopping area too - foodstore, DIY store, etc I feel we should and need a town centre but small grouped facilities on new development are needed but not at the risk of new residents not coming into the centre of town. We need our town to be a community town It will spread the good points more widely and give more areas enhancement. No I believe the town centre should be the focus of the community Neighbourhoods are important, but equally town centre needs to be more vibrant and with OPEN shops. e.g. greengrocers etc But the town centres health is more important. A second medical centre? Why when the new centre has much room to expand to accommodate the growing population and additional services Littleport is small, the town centre needs the next development to make it more vibrant and attract retail outlets (which means more jobs for locals) Main shops etc to be in town centre with smaller units if viable in neighbourhoods There is a danger that facilities could become too thinly spread, to the detriment of the centre Agree only to a small extent. The town centre needs developing with the right types of shops to cater for all needs Would result in an increase of traffic Town centre should remain very important Where feasible although the scale of some facilities in relation to the size of the town make this unrealistic in some cases. May not be sustainable to have multiple facilities With a fragile town centre everything needs to focus around it The village needs a heart What kind of facilities are we talking about - will it affect the town centre? Group around the town centre to optimise resources If neighbourhoods around schools, children can be encouraged to walk/cycle. There would be less need for parents to drive children to and from school Obviously New developments such as Highfields create a superb community Centred in housing areas would be better. There are enough traffic congestion problems near school facilities. No point in making a bad situation worse because of traffic Perhaps a small shop, but not main facilities - but economy will rule Comments re alternative facilities as focus: Closer to housing - walking distance - less use of cars. Centred around the entire built area Would be too much traffic in one location, could cause disruption/jams. Have doctor's surgery No particular suggestion - presumably where there are suitable spaces for building to be developed and on the business route Surely the influence of local government on facilities (other than those we already have is minimal, as they depend on private enterprise Anywhere other than schools - what about elderly people? Off Wisbech Road and Ely Road Health centre (existing) could be a focus for wider group of services. No need for a second medical centre We still need to get as much life as possible into the heart of the village, not segregate it The post office Main Street School should be quiet road area. Children and delivery vans do not mix I think there should be facilities around the town centre which is in danger of becoming dead especially as the Co-op is moving The preferred location for the secondary school was option 2 (37%), followed by option 1 (32%). Other suggested locations were Between Ely Road and Padnal Portley Hill People also suggested coupling the 3rd primary school and new secondary school together. Comments: NB. Option 3 also highlighted in preceding question. Both options 2 and 3 are also accessible from within Littleport as well and not susceptible to flooding. If Woodfen opened up to A10 for access already has good access to A10 for children "bussed" in from outlying villages NB. Option 3 also indicated in preceding question NB. Option 2 also indicated in preceding question NB. Option 2 also indicated in preceding question No couple the primary school with the secondary school we need to look at needs of teenagers in the village I don’t think it is a good idea to locate the secondary school near a primary school But option 3 seems possible too Camel Road 3rd primary school location possibly ok, but green areas especially need developing around it.