Contents
Introduction
Devizes Community Area Profile – Summary
Devizes Core Strategy Options Background Paper
Marlborough Community Area Profile – Summary
Marlborough Core Strategy Options Background Paper
Pewsey Community Area Profile – Summary
Pewsey Core Strategy Options Background Paper
Tidworth Community Area Profile – Summary
Tidworth Core Strategy Options Background Paper
Introduction
Over forthcoming years Kennet has to face a number of issues including housing growth, the creation of new jobs and dealing with the impact of climate change.
These challenges, and others, are being addressed in the Council’s local development framework (LDF). The principal document within the LDF is the core strategy. This will include a spatial strategy for the district based on an understanding of the form and function of the main towns within each of their areas.
The following Community Area Overviews gather together as much information as possible about each of the main settlements (and their community areas) to develop an understanding of their role and relationships. The data has been linked to issues identified in each of the community area plans and the main conclusions have been used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in each area. In the summary papers it has been possible to draw out key planning issues arising in each community area which will need to be addressed in the core strategy.
The Community Area Overviews have been used to inform a discussion about the future options for development in Kennet. There are four parts to this ‘options for development’ consultation:
• What is the vision for Kennet as a whole? • Do we understand what makes your community special? • Which places should accommodate new growth? • Which villages have a wider role because of the facilities they have?
It is really important that we hear from as many people as possible. Decisions made in the next few months could affect the nature of development in Kennet for many years. If you consider that the evidence presented in this document is flawed in anyway please let us know.
All the consultation documents are available online at www.kennet.gov.uk, in the Council offices within Devizes and in local libraries. To request paper copies please call the Forward Planning team on 01380 734872.
Comments on the COMMUNITY AREA OVERVIEWS or the SPATIAL OPTIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT should be returned by Friday 16th June 2008 and can be returned by: • completing the on-line questionnaire at www.kennet.gov.uk or • e-mail [email protected] or • returning the questionnaire available in libraries, leisure centres and the Council's offices, or • In writing to Forward Planning & Transportation, Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 2AT.
DEVIZES COMMUNITY AREA PROFILE - SUMMARY
Context
• Devizes Community Area covers 23,409 hectares • The community area population in 2006 was 30,920 • Devizes is the largest settlement with a population of 15,980 in 2006 • Six villages have a population over 1000 - these are Bromham, Market Lavington, Potterne, Rowde, Seend and Urchfont. • The population of the community area is expected to grow by about 10% between 2001 - 2016, which is faster than Wiltshire as a whole. • There are proportionally more jobs in manufacturing in Devizes community area compared to the south west. • Devizes has been the main focus for new employment development in the district.
Planning issues to consider:
Housing • How to provide a high standard of housing for an increasingly elderly population. • How to provide open market homes to a size and value appropriate to local incomes. • How to introduce a mix of housing to ensure affordability is improved in all sectors of the housing market. • How to deal with growth in the longer term to avoid increasing traffic congestion. • How to meet community aspirations through large housing site allocations. • How to continue to provide affordable housing to meet local need. Economy • How to create a choice of new local employment opportunities. • How to diversify the rural economy. • How to encourage smaller business to counter the number of large employers in Devizes. • How to intensify, regenerate and improve job opportunities on existing employment sites. • How to deliver additional retail floorspace on the Devizes Central Car Park. • How to address pockets of unemployment within Devizes Environment • How to protect the local environment which is not subject to national or international protection. • How to achieve objectives for the North Wessex Downs AONB. Community • How to recognise the relative roles of Bromham, Great Cheverell, Potterne, Market Lavington, Seend, Urchfont and West Lavington which provide a range of local facilities. • How to develop existing community and health infrastructure to support a growing population. • How to extend the use of meeting places in rural areas through management, awareness and condition. • How to enhance and develop Devizes’ cultural heritage through the redevelopment of the Wharf and reuse of the Assize Courts. Movement • How to maintain or improve existing levels of self containment for work. • How to improve levels of accessibility by public transport to centres of local employment. • Where to identify opportunities for additional parking in Devizes Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
Strengths Opportunities The number of people of working age within the Delivery of affordable homes on allocated housing sites. community area is growing at a faster rate than other New market homes provided at a size and value community areas in Kennet and Wiltshire as a whole. appropriate to local incomes. A well regarded and thriving town centre with low Improve levels of self containment for work. vacancy rates. Better use of existing and redundant employment sites Devizes is a net importer of workers and has a high to increase job opportunities. level of self containment for work. Encourage and strengthen the small business economy. Devizes has been the main focus of new employment development in Kennet. Local support for new retail development in Devizes.
Devizes has been the focus of new housing which may Junction improvements can help relieve traffic have influenced the fact the town is one of the more congestion in Devizes. affordable areas of the District to live. Devizes is sufficiently distant from Swindon to develop A stock of village halls that could be better used if its own local housing market. management, awareness and condition are improved. Opportunities to invest in local community Publicly funded facilities in the rural area have infrastructure via housing development. remained relatively constant. Pool of labour generated by pockets of unemployment Attractive town centre and well regarded cultural within Devizes. heritage Central development sites that can complement and enhance existing cultural heritage.
Weaknesses Threats Average house prices in the terraced/ small homes An increasing population places an extra burden on market are more than 6 times average incomes. existing infrastructure.
Percentage of jobs in manufacturing which is a sector An increasingly elderly population with implications for of the economy experiencing significant restructuring. health and social care.
There is very little available, new employment land in Number of large public sector employers in Devizes Devizes to provide choice to the market. which are constantly under pressure to reduce costs.
There has been a lack of investment in Devizes Town Undervaluing the quality and variety of local landscape Centre and as a consequence the retail offer in the and biodiversity interests. town has not kept pace with other retail centres in Declining number of privately funded facilities in rural Wiltshire. areas. Chippenham is the only main centre equally accessible by car or public transport from Devizes.
Much of the rural area does not have access to jobs by public transport.
Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
2 Vision: effectively a crossroads through the county and thus many work places are easily accessible .
To form an integrated community of people and
businesses, blending a living and working POPULATION
countryside with its service centre, the thriving
market town of Devizes, and ensuring that all a) Latest Population Estimates people have a good quality of life with access to the
facilities they need. (Source: CAP 03-15) The latest mid-year population estimate for the Devizes Community Area is 30,920. The Devizes urban area comprises Devizes town and parts of the parishes of Bishops Cannings and Roundway CONTEXT and has a population of about 15,980 people. Outside of the Devizes urban area there are 6 villages where the population was estimated as over 1000 in 2006 – Bromham, Market Lavington,
Potterne, Rowde, Seend and Urchfont. The Devizes Community Area covers 23,409 hectares of mainly rural countryside in the middle of the County of Table 1: Community Area Population 2006 Wiltshire. The one major settlement is the ancient Area Population (Mid year est 2006) market town of Devizes; there are many smaller Kennet District 77,900 settlements in the hinterland. The surrounding area is Devizes Community Area 30,920 one of small villages and farms and is rural in nature. Marlborough Community Area 22,220 There are 19 parishes across the community area with a Tidworth Community Area 14,080 population density of only 1.2 people per hectare, below 1 Pewsey Community Area 10,680 the county average . Source: Mid year population estimates WCC 2006
Devizes acts as the main service centre for the community area. It is a centrally located market town b) Population Projections and as one of the oldest towns in Wiltshire it offers a range of housing from some fine period property through Wiltshire County Council population projections anticipate that the population in the Devizes to modern homes. A busy market town Devizes has, for community area will grow by around 10% within the period 2001 to 2016 whilst the population of its size, a high quality and well regarded town centre that working age is expected to grow by around 19%. This represents a greater proportionate growth has a good range of shopping and recreational facilities. than Wiltshire as a whole (7% & 10%) and the Chippenham community area (6% and 6%). It also The town benefits from its own leisure centre and is contrasts to the Pewsey and Marlborough community areas where the population is expected to home to the Wiltshire Police Authority. The town is grow by only 2% and 3% respectively and the working age population is expected to change by 5% and 3% respectively.
1 A Profile of the Devizes Community Area and its Villages, Wiltshire County Council, 2005 2 Draft Wiltshire Housing Market Review, Roger Tym & Partners, 2007
1 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Marlborough Community Area Devizes Community Area c) Age Structure Pewsey Community Area Tidworth Community Area 35000 Community Area Plan Issues:
30000 The need for better services for older people to encourage independence and a supply of supported 25000 housing for vulnerable people.
20000 The population structure of the Devizes community area Population 15000 follows closely the average for Wiltshire. There are slightly more people in each of the age categories over 10000 45 and slightly less in the younger age categories of 30- 34 and 20-29 categories. Population projections for the 5000 area anticipate a continuation of the age distribution
0 exhibited in the 2001 census. 2001 2006 2011 2016 Year
7.9% Figure 1: Population Projections 2001-2016 Age 75+ Source: WCC Population Projection, draft RSS based, May 2007 8.4% Wiltshire Age 60-74 13.6% 14.7% Devizes The anticipated increase in the working age population needs to be set in the context that total 19.8% activity rates in Wiltshire as a whole is one of the highest in the south west. 84% of the population Age 45-59 21.0% here is economically active compared to 77% in Bath & North East Somerset and there are very 23.1% Age 30-44 few people claiming unemployment benefit (0.9% in Wiltshire compared to 1.3% in the south 22.2% 3 west as a whole) Age 20-29 10.6% 9.2%
Age 10-19 12.3% 12.7% Conclusion: Age 0-9 12.7% The Devizes community area population is expected to increase at a greater rate than 11.7% Wiltshire as a whole. A growing population places additional burden on existing 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% infrastructure which must be recognised. Figure 2: Comparison of Population Age Groups in Devizes CA
3 South West Observatory Labour Market Review, October 2007, Figs 2 & 9
2 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
The latest population estimates from Wiltshire ECONOMY Sectors of employment in the Devizes CA in County Council4 anticipate an increasingly 2001 that were markedly different from the elderly population in the Devizes, Marlborough south west average were: and Pewsey community areas. In Devizes in a) Jobs • manufacturing which accounts for 17% of 2001 23% of residents were 60 or over; by 2011 employment compared to a south west this figure is anticipated to rise to 24% and by Community Area Plan Issue: average of 14% and 2016 to 28%. The rate of increase is not as • wholesale and retail trade which accounts for The need to provide starter units and other marked as in the Marlborough and Pewsey 15% of employment compared to a south work places to create employment community areas but will still place additional west average of 17%. opportunities for all. pressure on health and community support. The number of jobs in manufacturing reflects the Devizes is not alone in exhibiting this trend. status of Devizes as the main job centre in the Nationally the number of older people in the In 2001 4% of people in employment in the District and, perhaps the recent success of the population is increasing and the numbers Devizes Community Area were employed in Hopton Park Industrial Estate. However, the surviving to advanced old age (85+) is also traditional rural industries (agriculture, hunting, recently completed study of the Kennet Economy increasing. Many older people will wish to retain forestry, fishing and mining), which is twice the suggested caution in relation to the potential their independence in their existing home by south west average. Employment statistics for the future growth of this sector of the economy arranging adaptations, for example, others may south west from the South West Observatory which is experiencing significant restructuring. In have no other option than to move because their have indicate that overall there has been a the district as a whole an annual decline in house has become unmanageable, there is a decline in agricultural employment of 3% in the manufacturing employment of about 1% is wish to be closer to family or to seek a greater period 1998-2005 and that the rate of decline is anticipated.6 level of care. expected to accelerate in coming years. A decline of 9.4% in jobs in this sector is predicted % Business with >200 employess 2003 for the period 2006-2014.5 1.6 Conclusion: 1.4 45% 1.2 The age profile for Devizes follows that for 40% Wiltshire as a whole. It is important to 35% 1 30% 0.8 recognise the housing needs of an 25% 0.6 20% increasingly elderly population and the 0.4 15% potential impact on health services. 0.2 10% 5% 0 South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth 0% Wiltshire South West Devizes Figure 4: Percentage of Businesses >200 employees in Primary Industries Secondary Industries Service Industries Selected Wiltshire Towns, 2003 Public Service Other Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2003, Figure 3: Sectors of Employment, 2001 Source: 2001 Census Settlement Functunality Assessment for RSS
4 District & Community Area Level Population Estimates and Projections 2001 to 2026, Wiltshire County Council, May 5 South West Observatory Economic Projections, October 6 Economic Study of Kennet District, Atkins, August 2006, 2007 2007 Table S.2
3 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
% Business with <6 employess 2003 76 Conclusion: 74 Conclusion:
72 More small businesses should be Housing policies need to provide open
70 encouraged in the community area to market homes to a size and value 68 counter the number of large employers in appropriate to local incomes. 66 64 Devizes and the predicted decline in 62 manufacturing employment. New 60 employment premises, therefore, need to 58 South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth accommodate smaller firms. Diversification c) Employment Land
of the agricultural economy should be Figure 5: Percentage of Businesses <6 Employees in encouraged to protect jobs in the rural Selected Wiltshire Towns, 2003 Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2003, areas. Community Area Plan Issue:
Settlement Functunality Assessment for RSS There is a need in Devizes for new
employment opportunities. In terms of the nature of business within Devizes b) Income about 64% of firms in the town employ less than
6 employees. This is a much lower percentage The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 2005 The study of the Kennet Economy prepared by than experienced in Marlborough or the South estimated that the Devizes community area has Atkins8 identified a number of key employment West. In relation to large firms there are an average income (including non-housing locations in the community area, these are listed proportionately more businesses employing more benefits) of £30,324 per annum. 7 This compares in the table below. than 200 workers in the town than in to £29,313 per annum in the Tidworth Marlborough or Trowbridge which may reflect community area and £37,380 per annum in Table 2: Employment Areas in Devizes CA the number of public sector employers eg Kennet Marlborough. This also compares to average Site Proposed Employment District Council, Police Authority. This could be a house prices in the community area for terraced Status threat to the town as public services experience a properties of around £190,000 in October 2007 Hopton Park Strategic employment restructuring, for example, recent changes in more than 6 times the average income. It is also site capable of meeting health services and proposed changes (since worth noting that the Housing Needs Survey future needs abolished) to redefine police authority concluded that the average lone pensioner’s Hopton Strategic employment boundaries. income was £11,772 and a two pensioner Industrial Estate site with scope for
household was £22,236 which may become expansion,
increasingly relevant as the population in the intensification or
community area ages. regeneration
7 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006, Figure 6.5 8 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, August 2006
4 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Site Proposed Employment Site Proposed Employment allocated in the local plan at Nursteed Road Status Status North (1.5 ha), Naughton Avenue (1.2 hectares) Folly Road Strategic employment Mill Road Strategic employment and vacant plots within the Hopton Park estate. site with potential for Industrial Estate site with scope for mixed use development expansion, Complete/ Under Construction Outstanding/Allocations Garden Trading Strategic employment intensification or 35 31.1 Estate site with potential for regeneration 30 25.35 mixed use development Sells Green Locally important 25 24.85 22.39 21.31
Le Marchant Strategic employment employment location 20 19.59 Employment site capable of meeting Broadway, Strategic employment 14.09
15 13.62 12.2
Area future needs Market site with scope for Hectares 10 8.13 7.34
Police HQ Sector specific location Lavington expansion, 5.71 5 with scope for intensification or 0 expansion, regeneration 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007
intensification or Mark Wilkinson Locally important Figure 6: Rates of Employment Development in Devizes regeneration Furniture, employment location Bureau West Strategic employment Bromham site capable of meeting Conclusion: future needs with The Atkins Study of the Kennet Economy has Devizes has been the main focus of potential for some analysed employment prospects throughout the employment development in Kennet. There is mixed use development district and the supply/suitability of existing very little new employment land available for Bath Road Small and medium employment sites. They have recommended development. Instead the focus in the future Business Centre enterprise location and that no new additional employment land is should be to reuse and improve job premises needed in the district. Instead the focus of future opportunities within existing or redundant Southgate House Sector specific location employment policies should be how to use more employment areas within Devizes. Kennet DC Sector specific location effectively land already in employment use. Browfort Nursteed Road Strategic employment Devizes has been the main focus of employment Industrial Estate site development in Kennet. Allocations at Hopton d) Town Centre Nursteed Road Strategic employment Park and Le Marchant have been quickly Allocation site capable of meeting developed in the past. The chart below clearly Community Area Plan Issue: future needs illustrates the increasing amount of employment The need to deliver town centre Banda Trading Strategic employment land developed in the town each year compared improvements, attract more shops to Devizes Estate site to the falling amount of undeveloped land town centre and retain existing individual identified for employment. Essentially the 5 high quality shops. hectares of land available in 2007 are sites
5 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Devizes is the largest retail centre in Kennet. In 2006 development of new, improved shopping centres. Trowbridge the amount of retail floorspace in the town was This investment can also be seen in the range of estimated as 15,409 square metres compared to goods provided in Chippenham compared to Melksham
10,600 square metres in Marlborough. The number Devizes (Figure 8). In Chippenham there are Chippenham of separate retail units within the town has fallen proportionately more shops in the clothing, footwear over the period since 1997 and there has been a and household goods category. Devizes remains Calne small reduction in the amount of retail floorspace. dominated by food shopping. Indeed the range of Marlborough Overall there has been no loss in the number of retail units in Devizes is more similar to Calne. Devizes units in a ‘town centre use’. Instead the type of uses 1994/5 400000 has changed with an increase in the number of 2006 -20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 350000 ground floor units occupied by estate agents, banks, 300000 Figure 9: Change in Retail Floorspace in Selected Market cafes and snack bars not classed as retail floorspace. 250000 Towns Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team 200000 Historically the number of vacant ground floor units 150000 in Devizes has varied between 15-21 or 5-7% of 100000 In 2002 Devizes Development Partnership total units.9 There will always be turnover in a 50000 commissioned Bournemouth University to 0 research existing information about Devizes, its healthy town centre and periods of vacancy as a Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trow bridge retail strength and prospects for the future11. consequence. These levels of vacancy are lower 10 Figure 7: Total Floorspace (sqft) in Selected Market Towns They concluded that the retail offer at the time than has been experienced in Tidworth and Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team was incomplete and an effective strategy needs Ludgershall but slightly higher than in Marlborough. 100% 90% to be implemented to rectify the situation. Issues The charts below are based on Wiltshire County 80% around signage, promotional activities, car 70% parking, retail developments and marketing were Council data and provide a comparison of the retail 60% floorspace in Devizes, Marlborough, Calne, 50% are all highlighted. Some specific proposals were: Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge. Key 40% • new shopping centre development 30% points to emerge are that in terms of quantity of 20% • new major food supermarket on Station floor space in 1994 Devizes had a similar amount of 10% Road 0% retail floor space to Chippenham but by 2006 Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trow bridge • enhancement of the Wharf area provided 28% less floor space than Chippenham. Convenience goods Clothing & Footw ear Household Other Non Food Vacant • introduction of a café culture in the
Figure 9 illustrates this point clearly – the amount of Figure 8: Type of Floorspace in Selected Market Towns, Market Square. retail floorspace in Chippenham increased by 33% 2006 over the 12 year period; Devizes saw a decline of Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team More recently during October and December 3%. The data reflects the added investment in 2005 a public debate on the future of Devizes Chippenham over the intervening years with the town centre took place as part of the process for 10 For Devizes, Calne, Chippenham, Melksham and 9 Town Centre Uses Survey, Kennet District Council, May Trowbridge data was collected in 1994. For Marlborough 11 Devizes Retail Revival Strategy, Bournemouth University, 2006, Figures 1, 2 and 10 the earliest data is 1995. June 2002
6 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile developing an action plan for the town. The consultation was designed to encourage local people Five sites were considered in the report for their to have their say over the shopping needs in Devizes and the amount and location of car parking suitability for new retail floorspace to improve Devizes’ to serve it. The basis of the consultation was a study, commissioned by Kennet District Council, ranking and broaden the range of shopping available with assistance from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, which considered (See Figure 10). The main conclusions drawn from the the prospects for the future of Devizes town centre.12 extensive consultation13 were:
The study concluded that the Devizes ranking for the provision of facilities is falling and that if 9 Overall support that the town centre should develop nothing is done to attract the right sort of retailers this will continue, leading to more empty shops, to provide an improved retail offer; a deteriorating mix of shops and an exodus of shoppers to other shopping destinations. 9 Support for new shops for small and medium sized independent traders;
9 Central Car Park received greatest support as the best location for new shops but no general consensus;
8 Less support for additional shops to meet the needs of national retailers.
Conclusion: The amount of retail floorspace in Devizes has declined in recent years and the centre has not expanded in the same way as other market towns. To maintain the towns competitiveness additional retail floorspace is needed to attract non convenience retailers. Central Car Park is seen as the best location for new floorspace.
Figure 10: Options for New Retail Opportunities
13 For more detailed information about the consultation refer to Statement of Community Engagement on the Devizes Town Centre 12 Land Use Framework and Urban Design Codes for Devizes, Gillespies, 2005 Area Action Plan, Kennet District Council, March 2006
7 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
MOVEMENTS
a) Travel to Work
Community Area Plan Issue: There is a need to reduce locally generated car journeys and promote walking and cycling for shorter journeys
Figure 11 represents journey to work patterns for road based journeys to and from the Devizes Community Area and from Devizes Town. The percentages represent the journeys to and from the towns and community areas highlighted within figure 11. Some key points arising form the data are: • 54% of the jobs in Devizes are occupied by residents in the town. • 85% of the jobs in Devizes are occupied by residents of Devizes or the community area. Figure 11: Journey to Work Patterns Devizes CA, 2001 • Devizes is a net importer of 1245 workers as there are more jobs in the town than resident workers. A comparison of the net commuting patterns exhibited in 1991 compared to 2001 show that net • The Devizes Community Area is a net exporter of in-commuting and net out-commuting has become more balanced. 14 around 2300 jobs. • More workers are drawn into Devizes from Calne, It is acknowledged that data from 2001 is now a little out of date but it is the most detailed Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge than are information available. However, the Kennet Housing Needs Survey15 also looked at the number of lost to Swindon. Kennet residents working within Kennet in 2005. Using the survey information it confirmed that • Devizes has a weak relationship with any other of 68% of Devizes residents worked within the Devizes Community Area. This is not a direct the small towns in Kennet in terms of jobs. comparison to the census data but confirms the relatively high level of people living and working locally.
14 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, 2006 Table D.46 15 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006, Table 4.23
8 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Journey times from Devizes to the nearest Devizes residents to look to the north and west Conclusion: main towns by car are as follows: for higher order services. In 2001 Devizes’ relationship with Swindon for employment was not as marked as Journey Distance Approx. Wiltshire County Council’s Rural Facilities Survey perceived. The stronger commuting journey time includes an assessment of journey to work public relationships are with Calne, Chippenham, Devizes – Chippenham 10.7mi 25min transport provision from each of the villages. The Melksham and Trowbridge. Devizes is a net Devizes – Swindon 19.4mi 35min data in 2005 revealed that 12 villages had a Devizes – Bath 21.2mi 45min ‘importer’ of workers and has a reasonably journey to work service operating twice between high level of employment self containment. Devizes – Salisbury 24.5mi 40min Source: Profile of Devizes CA and its Villages, A Community Fit for 7-9 o’clock, returning twice between 5-7 o’clock Planning policies should seek to maintain Our Children, Wiltshire County Council, 2003 in the evening. This is an increase on the service and if possible improve the current levels of in 2001 when 6 villages had such a service but self containment for jobs in both the town Journey times from Devizes to the nearest comparable to the longer term historical rate of and community area. main towns by public transport are as follows: between 12 and 16 villages over the period 1983-1994.16 As just over 16% of Devizes Journey Distance Approx. community area residents do not have access to b) Accessibility journey time a car (one of the highest for all community areas Devizes – Chippenham 10.7mi 33min in Wiltshire) the availability of public transport to Devizes – Swindon 19.4mi 55min key services is vital.17 Community Area Plan Issue: Devizes – Bath 21.2mi 60min
There is a need to support the development Devizes – Salisbury 24.5mi 70min
of a well co-ordinated, accessible, high Source: Profile of Devizes CA and it Villages, A Community Fit for Conclusion: Our Children, Wiltshire County Council quality public transport network. Chippenham is the only neighbouring centre
where journey times by public transport and The tables above reveal that journey times to car are similar. Access to services from the The road network in the community area is Chippenham by car and public transport are rural areas remains a problem with 16% of made up mainly of A- and C-class roads. The similar. Journey times to Swindon and Bath are residents not having access to a private car. A361 runs through the community area from also not too dissimilar. As the closest centres Planning policies should seek to improve Swindon to Trowbridge, the A360 runs south providing higher level health services and level of accessibility by public transport to over Salisbury Plain to Salisbury and the A342 shopping improvement to journey times by service and local employment centres. runs from Upavon, through Devizes and on to public transport to these centres should be Chippenham. Access to the motorway system is encouraged. at junction 17 on the M4, about 30 minutes drive to the north of Devizes town, via The most striking figure is the difference between Chippenham. journey times by car and public transport from 16 Devizes to Salisbury. It perhaps emphasises why Appendix 2, Rural Facilities Survey 2005, Wiltshire County Council. journey to work relationship with Chippenham 17 Profile of Devizes CA and it Villages, A Community Fit for and Swindon are stronger and the tendency for Our Children, Wiltshire County Council, 2003 based on 2001 Census
9 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
c) Car Parking d) Traffic in Devizes increase capacity and improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.
b. Anticipated growth in traffic during the
Community Area Plan Issue: Community Area Plan Issue: period beyond 2016 to 2026 means some
The need to ensure that car parking in Concern about increased traffic in and out of congestion will again be experienced.
Devizes is part of an integrated transport Devizes and the need to assess the feasibility c. The nature of traffic generation and
plan. of a by-pass for the town. attraction in the town reveals that the
provision of a by-pass or distributor road
would do little to alleviate the town’s The consultation that took place during October The volume of traffic travelling to and from congestion problems. and December 2005 on the future of Devizes Devizes has been a major issue locally for some d. Testing a one way system revealed that the town centre also looked at car parking.18 The key time. During 2004/2005 Kennet District Council road network could not cope due to the conclusions were: lobbied the county council to conduct a study to restrictions on capacity at the junction of advise it on the impact of future traffic growth in Southbroom Road, South Gate and Long 9 There should be no loss of parking in the Devizes resulting from allocated and windfall Street. town centre development in the town. A particular concern
was the concentration of growth to the north of
9 Parking may need to increase to cater for the town and its impact on London Road. The Conclusion: increasing demand county council agreed to commission a study A by-pass is not the solution to traffic and survey work was undertaken during 2006, congestion in Devizes. Instead planning 9 Better information needed about existing followed by the modelling work between January policies need to facilitate improvements to parking and August 2007. critical junctions in the town in the short
term and acknowledge the unacceptable 9 Explore more creative ways to ease parking The outcome of the traffic modelling by Mouchel consequence of too much housing growth in and congestion problems Parkman19 revealed: the period beyond 2016. a. Anticipated growth in traffic in the town
Conclusion: means that remedial measures at three critical junctions are required in order to HOUSING There should be no loss of car parking in maintain an acceptable level of traffic flow at Devizes. Planning policies need to identify peak times. The measures required include opportunities to increase parking provision a) Open Market traffic control signals at Dunkirk Hill, Brewery alongside improvements to the amount of Corner and The Green, together with retail floor space in the town. remodelling the junction at The Green to Community Area Plan Issue: The provision of more low cost, affordable 18 Land Use Framework and Urban Design Codes for housing in a mix of styles to rent or buy as Devizes, Gillespies, 2005 and Statement of Community 19 Devizes Paramics Model, Local Model Forecasting and Engagement Devizes Town Centre Area Action Plan, KDC, Test Report, Mouchel Parkman for Wiltshire County part of ‘mixed’ communities. 2006 Council, August 2007
10 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Housing Market from neighbouring districts (3% from Swindon, 3% from The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the whole of Kennet as within the Swindon Housing West Berkshire). The chart below shows of those Market Area. As a consequence Swindon Borough Council, North Wiltshire District Council and households surveyed who had moved to their present Kennet District Council jointly commissioned a Housing Market Assessment for the Swindon area address from elsewhere within Kennet 60% had moved in 200620. The study recognised that Swindon has some influence on the housing market in to their present address from elsewhere within the same Kennet but that the distance from Swindon of Marlborough and Devizes meant these had their community area. own local housing market characteristics. Figure 12, below, shows there were very few household movements from Devizes to Swindon and vice versa during 2000.
Marlborough Pewsey 16% 15% Tidworth 9%
Devizes 60%
Figure 13: Previous Place of Residence of Existing Households in Devizes CA Kennet District Council Housing Need Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, Table 4.8, June 2006
House Prices The chart below highlights that average house prices in the Devizes Community Area are generally lower than the rest of Kennet and very similar to the averages for Figure 12: Household Migration between Urban Areas 2000-2001 Source: Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 Wiltshire and the South West. House prices in Devizes are 6% lower than the south west average if buying a flat The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 200521 analysed past and present household locations to or terraced property but 3-5% more expensive than the derive an understanding of household movements in the District. In relation to Kennet as a whole south west average if purchasing a semi detached or over 40% of existing households had moved from another address within Kennet whilst 23% had detached property. The Housing Market Area moved from an address beyond the immediate area. There was very little movement to Kennet Assessment highlighted that the house price to income ration has been consistently higher in Kennet than the South West region. (Houses in Kennet are 8 – 9 times 20 Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 higher than lower quartile earnings.) 21 Kennet District Council Housing Need Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, Table 4.6, June 2006
11 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Devizes Kennet South West Wiltshire £450,000 It is also worth noting that the Kennet Housing A particular issue in Devizes is the price jump £400,000 Needs Survey in 2005 included a review of from semi-detached home to detached home £350,000 house prices using local estate agents. The which is over £100,000. In contrast the jump £300,000 analysis revealed that in the second quarter of from terraced home to semi-detached home is £250,000
£200,000 2005 Kennet itself shows an average property more affordable at about £12,000 in 2007. £150,000 price almost a third higher than the national £100,000 average, as do the areas of Vale of the White Conclusion: £50,000 Horse, West Berkshire and Salisbury. The £0 Houses in the Devizes Community Area are Flats/maisonettes Terraced Semis Detached neighbouring areas of Swindon and West generally lower than the rest of Kennet and Wiltshire have average prices just below the Figure 14: Average House Prices by Type, Oct-Dec 2006 similar to the south west average. There has national average.22 Source: Land Registry/Joseph Rowntree Foundation via Wiltshire & been a particular local demand for flats. Swindon Intelligence Network. Planning policies need to consider how to 500000 Detached Semi Terraced Flat 450000 introduce an appropriate mix of housing to Within Kennet, data from the Land Registry using 400000 the market to ensure affordability is improved post code areas as a basis, reveals that house 350000 300000 in all sectors of the housing market. prices in the Devizes Community Area are 250000 consistently lower than in Marlborough or 200000 150000 23 Pewsey. Although initial higher than house prices 100000 New Homes in Tiwdorth since Jul/Sep 2006 houses prices in 50000 1653 new homes have been built in the Devizes 0 the two community areas have converged. Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trowbridge Melksham Calne Community Area over the period April 1996- Clearly at this small area level average house Figure 16: Average House Prices in Selected Market April 2007, 81% have been within Devizes urban prices can be heavily affected by the number and Towns, 2007 area. Of those homes built in Devizes the largest Source: Source: Draft Wiltshire Housing Market Review for SHLAA, type of properties sold each month. Lambert Smith Hampton based on Land Registry developments have been at Le Marchant Barracks (132 homes currently under Marlborough CA Pew s ey CA Devizes CA Tidw orth CA £400,000 A more recent analysis of house price trends as construction), Roundway Hospital (south site 171 £350,000 part of a Strategic Housing Land Availability homes, north site 203 homes), Wayside Farm £300,000 Assessment in 2007 revealed that house prices (128 homes), Brickley Lane (307 homes), £250,000 in Devizes were very similar to those in Spitalcroft Allotments (130 homes currently £200,000 Chippenham. Since 2004 the price of flats has under construction) and Kverneland (157 homes Average Price Average £150,000 seen a considerable increase in value of 63%. currently under construction). All of these sites £100,000 This compares to rises of 30% in Marlborough were local plan allocations except at Kverneland 06 ar p 06 ar 07 ept 05 e ec 06 and Spitalcroft. /S /S t/D and only 5% in Trowbridge. Terraced housing ul n/M pr/Jun 07 Jul Oct/Dec 05 Jan/M Apr/Jun 06 J QuarterOc Ja A Jul/Sep 07 has also seen a rise in prices in Devizes of 29%. Figure 15: Average House Prices in Kennet Source: Land Registry post code data 22 Kennet District Council Housing Need Survey 2005, 23 Housing Land Supply Statement: Technical Appendices, Fordham Research Ltd, Table 5.3, June 2006 Kennet District Council, April 2007
12 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
In the villages new housing has concentrated in Owner Occupied Rented Social Rented Private The adopted Kennet Local Plan 2011 includes in 80% the larger settlements. For example Rowde, Policy HC28 a requirement that all housing sites 70%
Bromham, Market Lavington and Potterne all 60% involving 25 homes or more in Devizes should have populations over 1000 and have had 50% provide 50% of those homes as affordable between 28 and 46 homes constructed in the 40% housing. In the rural area a ‘one for one’ policy past 10 years. 30% is in force. This level of need was justified 20% through a Housing Needs Survey carried out in At April 2007 around 730 homes have planning 10% 2000.24 In relation to Devizes the 2000 HNS 0% permission and have yet to be built. 77% of these Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trow bridge Melksham Calne revealed an annual need of 36 homes whilst the are within Devizes. 2005 HNS shows an increased annual need of Figure 17: Household Tenure in Selected Market Towns, 110. 2001
Conclusion: Source: 2001 Census 250 2000 2005 The majority of new housing in the Devizes 195 200 175 Community Area has come forward on To perhaps compensate for the high prices there are proportionately more residents in homes 150 allocated large housing sites. Planning 110 rented from the council or housing associations 100 policies need to consider whether continuing 100
homes of No. in Devizes than in other market towns. 26% of 55 49 to provide housing in the community area on 36 50 26 identified large housing sites is the right way homes were rented from either the council or a
forward to meet community aspirations. housing association in Devizes compared to 14% 0 in Melksham and 13% in Trowbridge. Marlborough Tidworth Pewsey Devizes Community Area
Household Tenure Conclusion: Figure 18: Annual Housing Needs Survey Data from the 2001 Census shows that there a There are fewer owner occupiers in Devizes Source: KDC Housing Needs Survey 2000 and 2005 significantly fewer owner occupiers in Devizes than other market towns in Wiltshire. (59%) compared to other market towns in Policies should seek to introduce more It is important to set the context for housing need Wiltshire, for example Melksham (75%) and affordable market homes and acknowledge in the District in context. The chart below gives Trowbridge (75%). Table 16, above, shows that the social needs of those within the town on an indication of the relative need in Kennet the average price of a terraced house in Devizes lower incomes. compared to other Districts and the UK. 454 was around £192,500 in 2007. In contrast the affordable homes per year in Kennet is great in average price for a terraced house in Melksham absolute terms but in relative terms Kennet’s 25 was about £148,000 and in Trowbridge b) Affordable Housing need is below the south-west and UK average. £154,000. This perhaps demonstrates that although Devizes is one of the more affordable housing areas within Kennet it is still relatively Community Area Plan Priority: 24 Kennet District Council Housing Needs and Condition more expensive than other parts of Wiltshire The form and type of new housing should Survey 2001, Fordham Research Limited 25 confining people within the social rented sector. reflect local housing need. The data in Figure 19 is based on research by Fordham Research
13 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
homes that have been provided in Devizes compared to the annual need identified in the Conclusion: two housing needs surveys. It shows that in total Local need for affordable housing has 373 affordable homes have been built in the 7 increased in the Devizes Community Area years since April 2000, an average annual since 2001 to 110 homes per year. delivery rate of 53, a rate above the anticipated Affordable homes have been delivered at an need in 2000 but half the anticipated need annualised average rate of 53 homes per assessed in 2005. Only in 2003/04 were year since April 2000. Planning policies need sufficient affordable homes delivered to meet the to address how to continue to provide 2005 target of 110 homes per year. affordable homes to meet local needs.
Aff ordable Homes Built Need 2005 Need 2000
140 Environment Figure 19: Typical Levels of Need for New Affordable 120 Housing 100 Community Area Plan Issues: Source: Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research 80 The need to maintain the locally distinctive 60 environment which is central to the quality Over the period April 2001 – April 2007, 9 sites 40
No. affordable homes of life in the Community area and ensure have received planning permission for more than 20 easy access to it. Maintain the character of 25 homes (the policy threshold), all in Devizes. 0 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 the AONB and promote non-intrusive access Some have already been built and have contributed to the supply of affordable homes for Figure 20: Affordable homes delivered in Devizes since to the countryside. example land at Brickley Lane, the Fruit Farm on April 2000 Source: KDC Housing Services Drews Pond Lane and Roundway Hospital; others are under construction for example the Le The Devizes Community Area extends to 23,409 Devizes has been the focus of new housing for Marchant Barracks site and the Kverneland site. hectares. The north eastern quarter of the area is the whole District in recent years which is why Outstanding local plan allocations in Devizes within the North Wessex Downs Area of reasonable levels of affordable housing have which have received planning permission since Outstanding Natural Beauty. In January 2004 a been provided following in the wake of specific April 2007 include Roundway Mill and Quakers Management Plan for the AONB was approved large housing allocations. This rate of delivery is Walk. All of these sites are contributing to the by the Council of Partners which brought likely to continue as outstanding local plan continuing supply of affordable homes in together 11 constituent authorities, nature allocations, such as Hambleton Avenue and Devizes. conservation interests, historic environment Quakers Walk, are brought to the market. interests, Countryside Agency, farming and rural
Not all affordable housing comes forward as a business interests, community and parish proportion of open market housing sites. The interests and recreation and tourism interests. In table below identifies the number of affordable
14 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile seeking to achieve a 20 year vision for the AONB 52 Downs is one of the finest examples of chalk downland in southern England and holds a very objectives have been set grouped in 14 themes. significant population of hundreds of thousands of plants growing in high-quality chalk grassland. It contains a large population of the nationally scarce burnt orchid. Table 4: Themes for the North Wessex Downs AONB Theme Title No. of Salisbury Plain SAC also falls partly of the community area. Salisbury Plain is believed to be the Objectives largest surviving semi-natural dry grassland within the EU and is therefore the most important site 1 Conserving And Enhancing The 4 for this habitat in the UK. Salisbury Plain is also a Special Protection Area which is a designation to Landscape Character And safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds. Diversity 2 Celebrating The Past 3 3 Conserving Remoteness And 4 Tranquility 4 Increasing Biodiversity 6 5 Sustaining Natural Resources 4 6 Land-Based Economy As 5 Custodian Of The Landscape 7 Promoting A Low Carbon 3 Economy 8 Enjoyment As An Economic Driver 3 9 Diversifying Economic 3 Opportunities 10 Developing Appropriate Skills For 2 The Future 11 Supporting Vibrant Communities 5 12 Ebcouraging Sustainable Travel 3 13 Establishing Common 5 Understanding 14 Maintainin Productive 2 Partnerships Figure 21: Community area with protected areas identified
There are 2 Special Areas of Conservation partly in the Devizes Community Area. A very small part of the Pewsey Down SAC is within the Devizes community area. Pewsey Down is also a National Nature Reserve which area designated to protect important wildlife habitat and geological formations in England. Pewsey
15 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
The Devizes Community Area has part of 9 Local Nature Reserves are places with wildlife or Community and Culture different Sites of Special Scientific Interest within geographical features that have a special local it. interest. The only local nature reserve located in • Stert Brook Exposure (0.43 ha) shows the the Devizes Community Area is Drews Pond a) Facilities most complete section in the Vale of Wood. Drews Pond Wood is managed by local Pewsey of the Portland Beds. volunteers. There are also three sites managed as • Great Cheverell Hills (33.26ha) is an area reserves by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – Community Area Plan Issues: of botanically rich chalk grassland on the Morgan’s Hill, Peppercoombe Wood and The continuing closure of village base northern edge of Salisbury Plain. Roundway Hill Covert. amenities. The shortage of certain types of • Morgan’s Hill (12.39 ha) is a botanically community facilities and affordable meeting rich area of southern chalk grassland. The Devizes Community Area is seen as the part places. • Roundway Down & Covert (84.34ha) is an of Kennet with the least nationally and extensive tract of chalk downland which internationally recognised landscape and supports a rich unimproved grassland flora biodiversity interests. However, as evidenced by Since 1976, Wiltshire County Council has carried with smaller areas of mixed scrub. the lists above there are a significant number of out a Rural Facilities Survey which records the • Seend Cleeve Quarry (3.03ha) is key local environmental which must not be range of local services available in villages across stratigraphic locality for the Oxfordian overlooked as this could undermine the quality Wiltshire. The latest survey was carried out in Stage. The site contains sections in the and accessibility of the community areas many 2005. A summary of the data for the community Lower Calcareous Grit assets. area shows considerable changes in the nature of • Seend Ironstone Quarry & Road Cutting facilities provided. Many of the services that are (1.37 ha) is highly significant in illustrating Conclusion: provided by or subsidised by a public body have remained consistent – libraries, primary schools an unusual iron-rich facies of the Lower Much of the landscape within the Devizes and doctors. Others, where private finance is Greensand Community Area is not protected by a national required have declined, for example post offices, • Spye Park (89.66 ha) is an extensive habitat designation. However, there are many sites general food shops, specialist shops and petrol mosaic comprising large expanses of some within the area that contribute to its stations. of the finest undisturbed alderwoods in the biodiversity and interest that should be
county, along with oakwoods, parkland protected from inappropriate development. and an area of dry acidic grassland Facilities that have been improved over the containing several locally uncommon period since 1976 are village halls and plants. professional commercial services. The growth in • Salisbury Plain (19,688 ha) supports the professional services perhaps reflects the nature largest known expanse of unimproved of residents in the rural parts of the community chalk downland in north west Europe, and area who are active in the community and are looking for professional services close to home in represents 41% of BritainÕs remaining area of this rich wildlife habitat. contrast to their daily shopping habits which are • Pewsey Downs (298.43 ha) focused on where they work rather than live.
16 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
The increase in the number of village halls seems Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 The analysis also looked at a wider range of 8 to contrast with the community area plan Journey to Work27 15 15 12 ‘community facilities’ based on current structure perception that there is a shortage of meeting Village Hall 16 21 33 28 plan policies. These 8 facilities were the four places. The issue may be more about the Professional 6 11 11 37 already mentioned plus a pub, church, management, awareness and condition of the Commercial community hall and a recreation field. Within meeting places that exist rather than the number. Services28 the Devizes Community Area it is the same 7 A priority project in the Devizes Community Source: Rural Facilities Survey 2005, Wiltshire County Council villages that have this wider range of services. Area Strategic Action Plan26 was to build a multi Each of these villages also have a library service. purpose community hall in Market Lavington; The results of the latest survey seem to identify a It is surprising that Rowde is not in the list – here this facility has now been built. A site has already correlation between the facilities a village has on although the population is greater than 1000 the been secured and funding addressed. The offer and its population. Large villages are village only has 6 of the 8 facilities listed. project seeks to meet all the major social needs defined as those with a population greater than of the village including indoor sports, youth 750. In the Devizes Community Area these are Within the list of 7 villages some other facts activities, a performance space and meeting Urchfont, Seend, Rowde, West Lavington, emphasis their role: rooms. Outside there are plans for a village green Potterne, Bromham and Market Lavington. • Great Cheverell, Market Lavington, and children’s playground. Medium villages are classed as those with Urchfont and West Lavington have a between 250 and 750 people. doctors surgery, Table 5: Summary of Facilities in Devizes • there is a secondary school in Market Community Area Of the 350 settlements surveyed in Wiltshire Lavington. only 61 had what are classed as the four basic • Bromham (Mark Wilkinson), Market Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 facilities – primary school, general food shop, Lavington (Broadway) and Seend (Sells Public Funding post office and journey to work bus service. Green) have locally important Primary School 12 11 11 11 Bromham, Great Cheverell, Market Lavington, employment centres recognised in the Branch Library 1 1 1 1 Potterne, Seend, Urchfont and West Lavington Atkins report. were seven of the 61. Great Cheverell is the only Doctors Surgery 5 8 3 5 • Bromham, Potterne and Market village with a small population at 59029. Health Clinic 4 9 4 2 Lavington have seen the greatest Private Funding increases in number of houses in the 27 PO Independant 5 2 4 1 Journey to Work Level 2 requires that one bus service parish since 1996. departs between 7 and 9 in the morning and returns PO Linked 10 10 9 7 between 5 and 7 in the evening. The total travel time must General Food 22 26 18 10 not exceed one hour. Shop 28 This category includes all professional services including Petrol Stations 10 12 10 3 solicitors, dentists, vets and chiropractors. 29 In December 2007 the Post Office produced a ‘Network may mean a mobile library service, a hosted service within a Change Programme’ which detailed an area plan for shop or other community building or a partner service for Wiltshire. A number of post office branches are proposed example with a pub landlord. All the remaining post offices for closure. Within Kennet these are at Erlestoke, within the Devizes Community Area are unaffected by the 26 Devizes Community Area Strategic Action Plan prepared Manningford Bruce and London Road, Marlborough. The proposed changes. by the Devizes Community Area Partnership in 2007. branch at Avebury is to become an outreach service which
17 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
A settlement hierarchy within the community area is, c) Social however, evolving from the information within the Rural
Facilities Survey.
Community Area Plan Issues:
• Devizes with its core services. Retain an adequate range of hospital and health care services in Devizes. Retain existing and
promote better sports and arts facilities in the town and villages.
• Great Cheverell, Market Lavington, Urchfont and
West Lavington which have a range of Indices of Multiple Deprivation combine information relating to income, employment, education, community facilities including the four core health, skills and training, barriers to housing and services and crime into an overall measure of services of a primary school, post office, general deprivation. From this information a score is derived for each area; a low score indicating greater food shop and journey to work bus service. deprivation: the most deprived local authority is indicated by a rank of 1. According to the 2004 They also have some higher tier services such as English Indices of Multiple Deprivation, Kennet has an overall rank of 295 out of 354 local a mobile library, doctors surgery and health authorities. This places Kennet in the top 20% of least deprived local authorities. clinic.
• Bromham, Potterne and Seend which provide a wider range of community services but not the higher order health services. Bromham and Seend also have local employment opportunities.
• Remaining villages with a sporadic distribution of some community facilities
Conclusion:
Planning policies need to respond to the changing
emphasis in the type of facilities provided in the
rural areas and how to improve the management,
awareness and condition of existing meeting
places. In particular the need for a community
hall in Market Lavington should be addressed.
The villages of Great Cheverell, Market Lavington,
Urchfont and West Lavington should be
recognised as those villages with higher order
community facilities. Figure 22: Kennet Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2004)
18 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile
Figure 22 identifies the different census super February 2007, 2.6% of working age people in Wedhampton, West Lavington, Littleton Pannell output areas within Kennet. The darkest shading Great Britain claimed JSA. In Kennet as a whole & Worton.) This represents more than half of the indicates the most deprived areas in Kennet only 0.9% of working age people claimed JSA. In villages in the community area reflecting the although none of these are in the bottom 25% of contrast in Devizes East Ward 3.2% of working historic and picturesque nature of the built most deprived areas within England. The lightest age people were claiming JSA; significantly environment. shading indicates areas with the least deprivation higher than the norm for Kennet and the Great – areas within the top quartile of least deprived Britain average. The Devizes Community Area borders the areas in England. Within the Devizes Community Avebury World Heritage Site. Within the Area parts of the Devizes South and Devizes Conclusion: community area there is a large concentration of North Wards stand out as being some of the ancient monuments in the north eastern corner, There is a general issue relating to most deprived areas in Kennet. However other very close to the world heritage site. The ancient accessibility from the rural areas to services parts of Devizes, Seend, Cheverell, Urchfont and monuments comprise barrows and other bronze that needs to be addressed, otherwise the Lavington are some of the least deprived wards age sites. There area 123 ancient monuments in community area enjoys a good quality of life in the District. the community area. based on the English Indices of Multiple
Deprivation. The causes and circumstances The map shows aggregate scores based on As the centre of a large rural hinterland, Devizes that have generated the number of people individual assessments for income, employment, provides a good range of leisure and cultural claiming job seekers allowance in the health, education, accessibility, crime and living facilities with its cinema, theatre, pubs and Devizes East Ward need to be addressed. environment. These subject based assessments restaurants. Devizes’ history is evident in its large do show that 50% of super output areas in and impressive buildings (for example, the Town Kennet are in the bottom quartile for accessibility d) Cultural / built heritage Hall part of which originated in the 17th century – a particular rural issue. This reinforces data and the Corn Exchange built in 1856), the revealed in the Rural Facilities Survey. bustling market square with its Market Cross of
Community Area Plan Issues: 1814 and fountain dating back to 1879 and the
Interestingly, in relation to health. 75% of the Retain the theatre and cinema in Devizes and canal with its locks and wharfs. super output areas in Kennet are within the top improve entertainment provision in the quartile ie the best 25% in England. Since 2004 town. The community area plan seeks to protect, build a review of health services within Kennet has on and enhance this cultural heritage, hence the taken place and it will be useful to compare emphasis on retaining the cinema. The Devizes Devizes town and its surrounding community more recent results. Community Area Strategic Action Plan identifies area contain a rich cultural heritage based on its the enhancement and development of the Wharf history and location in the Wiltshire landscape. There is data from many other sources which can as a priority project. The plan sees leisure and There are 19 conservation areas (All Cannings, provide more detail about local social issues. For cultural uses as a key element of this Bishops Cannings, Bowden Hill, Bromham, example, job seekers allowance (JSA) is payable development to complement and support the Devizes, Eastcott, Easterton, Earlstoke, to people under pensionable age who are existing Wharf Theatre. The development is also Etchilhampton, Great Cheverell, Market available for, and actively seeking, work. In an opportunity to make better use of the cultural, Lavington, Potterne, Poulshot, Seend, Urchfont,
19 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Devizes Community Area Profile economic and social potential of the canal. Another priority project is the restoration and refurbishment of Devizes Assize Court. It is seen as one of the most important historic buildings in Devizes yet it is on English Heritages; ‘At Risk’ register. The proposal is to link any new use to the Wharf area.
Conclusion: Devizes’ cultural heritage is well regarded. Several projects are already proposed to develop and enhance that heritage which should be supported through planning policies.
20
MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY AREA PROFILE - SUMMARY
Context
• Marlborough Community area covers 38, 842 hectares • The community area population in 2006 was 22,220 • Marlborough is the largest town with a population of 7990 in 2006 • Only the villages of Aldbourne, Burbage, Great Bedwyn and Ramsbury have a population over 1000. • The number of economically active people in the community area is expected to increase by 3% between 2001 - 2016. • There is less employment in manufacturing in the community area than the average for the south west. • Average incomes in the community area were around £37,400 in 2005. • House prices have risen in Marlborough by 30% over the period 2004- 2007. Planning issues to consider:
Housing • How to provide a high standard of housing for an increasingly elderly population. • How to provide open market homes to a size and value appropriate to local incomes. • How to improve community benefits from small unplanned housing sites. • How to provide more affordable housing to meet local need. Economy • How to create an increasing variety and choice of local employment opportunities. • How to diversify the rural economy. • How to encourage new premises for smaller business to support local economy. • How to intensify or regenerate existing employment sites. • Should Marlborough town centre expand to compete with other market towns in Wiltshire. • Does the existing retail offer in Marlborough meet the needs of local residents. Environment • How to protect the local environment. • How to achieve objectives for the North Wessex Downs AONB and Avebury World Heritage Site. Community • How to recognise the role of Marlborough as the main service centre in the community area. • How to recognise the relative roles of Burbage, Ramsbury and Great Bedwyn which provide a range of local facilities. Movement • How to maintain or improve existing levels of self containment for work. • How to improve levels of accessibility by public transport to centres of local employment.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
Strengths Opportunities A thriving town centre with low vacancy rates. Delivery of affordable homes on allocated housing sites.
Marlborough is a net importer of workers and has a high The promotion of Marlborough as a heritage village and level of self containment for work. tourist destination.
Marlborough’s reliance on jobs in Swindon is not as New market homes provided at a size and value marked as perceived. appropriate to local incomes.
A beautiful countryside that is internationally and Improve levels of self containment for work. nationally recognised for its landscape, historic and Better use of existing employment sites to increase job biodiversity value. opportunities. Publicly funded facilities in the rural area have remained Strong small business economy. relatively constant. Opportunities for redevelopment and intensification within existing boundaries to protect the local natural environment. Weaknesses Threats Majority of new housing on small unplanned housing An increasingly elderly population. sites = lack of community investment. Comparatively small growth within the economically Affordability is a problem in the terraced/ small homes active population. market. Moves to Swindon to be able to enter the housing Lack of manufacturing opportunities. market.
Swindon is the only main centre equally accessible for Declining agricultural employment. car or public transport from Marlborough. Variety of retail opportunity within Marlborough. Much of the rural area does not have access to jobs by Declining number of privately funded facilities in rural public transport. areas. Lack of bed space for tourists Increasing volume of through traffic in the town centre.
Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Vision: POPULATION A safe and vibrant community benefiting from high standards of housing, health, education and The latest mid-year population estimate for the Marlborough Community Area is 22,220. The only culture in the context of a growing economy in the town is Marlborough (7990 people) and there are 4 villages with a population over 1000 – area as a whole. (Source: CAP 04-14) Aldbourne, Burbage, Great Bedwyn and Ramsbury.
Table 1: Community Area Population 2006 CONTEXT Area Population (Mid year est 2006) Kennet District 77,900 The Marlborough Community Area covers 38,842 Devizes Community Area 30,920 hectares of picturesque rural countryside in the northeast Marlborough Community Area 22,220 of the County of Wiltshire. It is the largest Community Tidworth Community Area 14,080 Area in the County and is dominated by the market town Pewsey Community Area 10,680 of Marlborough. Much of the community area’s great Source: Mid year population estimates WCC 2006 natural beauty is environmentally protected and it offers a unique blend of ancient history, modern attractions a) Population Projections and amenities. Wiltshire County Council population projections anticipate that the population in the Marlborough The Marlborough area is a place where people like to live. community area will grow by around 3% within the period 2001 to 2016 and the economically This is born out by the results of a People’s Voice survey active population is expected to increase by around 3%. This contrasts to the Devizes and (the County Council’s citizen’s panel) undertaken in 2002 Tidworth community areas where the population is expected to grow by 10% and 12% where 54% of people from the community area felt respectively, slightly higher than Wiltshire as a whole, and the economically active population is strongly that the local area was a good place to live, a expected to increase by 19% and 5% respectively. 1 figure above the average for the County as a whole. Marlborough Community Area Devizes Community Area Pewsey Community Area Tidworth Community Area 35000 The population of the community area in 2001 was 21,820, of which around 8,000 lived in the main 30000 settlement of Marlborough. There are 26 parishes in the 25000 community area with an average population density of 20000
0.56 hectares per hectare. Population 15000 10000 5000 0 2001 2006 2011 2016 Year Figure 1: Estimated Change in Population 2006-2016 1 A Community fit for our Children, Wiltshire Strategic Board, Source: WCC Community Area Level Population Projections, May 2007 1 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Analysis of the data shows that the comparatively Interestingly, the 2001 Census revealed that the arranging adaptations, for example, others may small percentage increase in the economically Marlborough Community Area had a higher than have no other option than to move because their active population is a consequence of an average proportion of residents in the 10-19 age house has become unmanageable, there is a wish increasingly elderly population. band and a slightly higher proportion of residents to be closer to family or to seek a greater level of in the 75+ age band than Wiltshire. care. The anticipated decline in the growth of the economically active population needs to be set in the context that total activity rates in Wiltshire Conclusion: as a whole is one of the highest in the south To achieve the high standards of housing west. 84% of the population here is envisaged in the community area plan, economically active compared to 77% in Bath & housing policies for the Marlborough North East Somerset and there are a very low Community Area need to reflect the trend number of people claiming unemployment towards an increasingly elderly population. benefit (0.9% in Wiltshire compared to 1.3% in the south west as a whole)2
ECONOMY
Conclusion: The economically active population in the Figure 2: Comparison of Population Age Groups in Marlborough CA community area will decline over the next 10 a) Jobs years. It is, therefore, important to create an The latest population estimates from Wiltshire increasing variety and choice of employment 3 County Council anticipate an increasingly elderly Community Area Plan Issue: opportunities to retain workers in local population in the Marlborough Community Area. Lack of local employment opportunities employment and support the local economy. In 2001 22% of residents were 60 or over; by to meet local needs. Agriculture in 2011 this figure is anticipated to rise to 25% and decline.
b) Age Structure by 2016 to 27%.
Marlborough Community Area is not alone in In 2001 5.29% of residents in the Marlborough Community Area were employed in traditional Community Area Plan Issues: exhibiting this trend. Nationally the number of The need to create residential accommodation older people in the population is increasing and the rural industries (agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing and mining), which is much greater than for specialist vulnerable groups such as the numbers surviving to advanced old age (85+) is elderly and people with mental health and also increasing. Many older people will wish to the county average of 2.98%. The majority of rural employment is in the agricultural sector. learning disabilities. Services for the growing retain their independence in their existing home by number of older people. This is a significant source of employment in the community area. 3 District & Community Area Level Population Estimates and 2 South West Observatory Labour Market Review, October Projections 2001 to 2026, Wiltshire County Council, May 2007, Figs 2 & 9 2007 2 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Sectors of employment in Marlborough town in % Business with >200 employess 2003 b) Income 2001 that were markedly different from the south 1.6 west average were: 1.4 The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 2005 • manufacturing which accounts for 10.7% of 1.2 estimated that the Marlborough community area 1 residents in employment compared to a has the highest average income (including non- 0.8 south west average of 15.7% and 0.6 housing benefits) within Kennet at £37,380 per • education which accounts for 13% of 6 0.4 annum. This compares to £29,313 per annum 0.2 employment compared to a south west 5 in the Tidworth community area. It is also worth 0 average of 7.4%. South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth noting that the research concluded that the The later statistic could be explained by the average lone pensioner’s income was £11,772 Figure 3: Percentage of Businesses >200 employees, 2003 presence of Marlborough College whilst the former and a two pensioner household was £22,236 could be a consequence of the lack of employment Employment statistics for the south west from the which may become increasingly relevant as the land locally and the proximity of Swindon. South West Observatory indicate that overall population in the community area ages. there has been a decline in agricultural In terms of the nature of business within employment of 3% in the period 1998-2005 Marlborough there are significantly more small Conclusion: and that the rate of decline is expected to firms than in the other main settlements within Housing policies need to provide open accelerate in coming years. A decline of 9.4% in Kennet and within Trowbridge and Chippenham market homes to a size and value jobs is predicted for the period 2006-2014.4 (towns named in the RSS). There are also fewer appropriate to local incomes.
large companies employing more than 200 % Business with <6 employess 2003 76 employees. This has implications for the type of
74 business premises that will be needed in the future c) Employment Land 72 70 to foster a growth in the local economy.
68 The study of the Kennet Economy prepared by 66 Conclusion: Atkins7 identified a number of key employment 64 62 locations in the community area, these are listed To encourage business growth within the 60 community area new employment premises in the table below. In addition to these key sites 58 South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth opportunities were also identified in Aldbourne need to accommodate smaller firms. This approach accepts there is a lack of and Froxfield. Figure 4: Percentage of Businesses <6 Employees, 2003
Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2003, manufacturing opportunities in the area;
Settlement Functionality Assessment for RSS these types of jobs are provided in Swindon. Diversification of the agricultural economy should be encouraged to protect jobs in the
rural areas. 6 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research 4 South West Observatory Economic Projections, October 5 Settlement Functionality Assessment for the RSS based on Ltd, June 2006, Figure 6.5 2007 2001 Census 7 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, 2006 3 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Table 2: Employment Areas in Marlborough CA There has been a debate for some considerable d) Town Centre Site Proposed Employment time about the availability of land for new
Status employment development in Marlborough. The Marlborough has the second largest retail centre Marlborough Strategic employment site main concerns about releasing land related to in Kennet. In 2006 the amount of retail Business Park, capable of meeting future the quality of the environment and the potential floorspace in the town was estimated as 10,600 Marlborough needs impact on the AONB. In 1997 6 hectares of square metres compared to 15, 409 square Wagon Yard, Site with potential to land was eventually released to the east of metres in Devizes. The number of separate retail Marlborough expand or intensify Salisbury Road in Marlborough when it was units within the town has not fluctuated since providing units concluded that the employment needs of local 1997 although the amount of retail floorspace appropriate for small and residents had become a local priority. That site is has increased by approximately 18% over the medium enterprises now under construction with units ready for same period through the expansion of Waitrose George Lane, Site which is a locally occupation. supermarket in the High Street and the Marlborough important for employment introduction of Laura Ashley in Hilliers Yard. Elcot Site which is a locally The Atkins Study of the Kennet Economy has Historically the number of vacant ground floor Lane/Stonebridge important for employment analysed employment prospects throughout the units in Marlborough has been low (between 4 Close, district and the supply/suitability of existing and 7 over the period 1997-2004).8 Closer Marlborough employment sites. They have recommended examination of the data reveals that there is a Pelham Court, Site which is locally that no new additional employment land is greater representation of national retailers in Marlborough important for employment needed in the district. Instead the focus of future Marlborough than in Devizes. The Old Yard, Site which is locally employment policies should be how to use more 1994/5 Marlborough important for employment effectively land already in employment use. Total floorspace (sqm) 2006 Council Depot, Site which is locally 400000 350000 Marlborough important for employment 300000 Hilldrop Lane, Rural Enterprise Location Conclusion: 250000 Ramsbury To protect the local environment there is no 200000
Brail Farm, Great Site with potential to need to identify new sites for employment 150000 100000 Bedwyn expand or intensify development in the Marlborough community 50000 providing a rural area instead better use of existing sites 0 enterprise location should be a priority to increase job Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trow bridge
Hirata, Burbage Site which is a locally opportunities. Figure 5: Total Floorspace (sqft) in Selected Market important for employment Towns providing scope for
expansion or
intensification.
8 Town Centre Uses Survey, Kennet District Council, May 2006, Figures 1, 2 and 10 4 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Percentage Change in Retail Floorspace 1994/5 - MOVEMENT
Type of Retail Floorspace 2006 2006 100% Trowbridge 90% 80% Melksham a) Travel to Work 70% 60% Chippenham 50% 40% Calne Figure 8 represents journey to work patterns for 30% road based journeys to and from the 20% Marlborough 10% Devizes Marlborough Community Area and from 0% Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trow bridge Marlborough Town. The percentages represent -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% the journeys to and from the towns and Convenience goods Clothing & Footw ear Household Other Non Food Vacant Figure 7: Change in Retail Floorspace in Selected community areas highlighted within figure 8. Figure 6: Type of Floorspace in Selected Market Towns 2006 Market Towns Travel to work patterns show less than 1% of Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team movements from Marlborough and the Figures 5-7 are based on Wiltshire County A recent issue in the town has been the closure Community Area are to Tidworth, Ludgershall Council data and provide a comparison of the of the Somerfield store on the High Street and its and Melksham. Although there is a strong retail floorspace in Devizes, Marlborough, Calne, replacement by a Marks & Spencer’s Simply relationship with Swindon (17% of residents in Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge. Key Food. There has been a lot of local concern that Marlborough work in Swindon), by far the points to emerge are that in terms of quantity of the loss of a range of food retailers to provide for majority of journeys to work are within floorspace Marlborough is more related to Calne all incomes is a retrograde step for the town. Marlborough (66% of residents in Marlborough and Melksham but in terms of the retail offer it is work in Marlborough) or within the community more related to Chippenham and Trowbridge. area (56% of residents in the Marlborough For example convenience shopping does not Conclusion: Community Area work in the community area). dominate in the way it does in Devizes and Marlborough’s retail centre is thriving with Calne and there is a greater representation of low vacancy rates and a significant national However, in terms of what is experienced on the clothing and footwear and household retailing retailer presence. However planning policies roads 44% of residents travel to employment similar to Chippenham. It is also noticeable that need to consider whether Marlborough town outside of the town. between 19959 and 2006 although there has centre should expand to continue to been a growth in the amount of retail floorspace compete with neighbouring centres and The other side of the equation are journeys into in the town that growth has not been on the whether the current retail offer meets the Marlborough or the community area for work. same scale as other centres, noticeably Calne. needs of local residents. Of the 3,346 jobs recorded in Marlborough 57% were occupied by people living in Marlborough, the figure rises to 71% if workers from the whole Community Area are taken into account. Of the 3,661 jobs within the Marlborough Community Area (excluding Marlborough) 73% are occupied 9 For Devizes, Calne, Chippenham, Melksham and by people living in the community area. This Trowbridge data was collected in 1994. For Marlborough the earliest data is 1995. perhaps reflects the land based employment in 5 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile the community area. The chart shows that town mean people on lower incomes cannot working within the community area with only neither Marlborough, or the Marlborough afford to live where they work but there is no 24% of residents working outside the area. Community Area, has a pool of labour coming in empirical data to confirm this. from any one particular destination. The Conclusion: strongest relationships are 5% of workers come A comparison of the net commuting patterns Marlborough’s reliance on jobs in Swindon is from the Pewsey Community Area and a similar exhibited in 1991 compared to 2001 show a not as marked as perceived. The town is a number come from Swindon. Again, in terms of reduction in the net outflow of commuters from net ‘importer’ of workers and 66% of what is experienced on the roads, 43% of jobs the community area although the overall figures residents live and work in the town. Planning (or 1439 jobs) are occupied by people travelling remain high (net outflow from the community policies should seek to maintain and if into Marlborough. area in 1991 was 2540 jobs and in 2001 1897 10 possible improve the current levels of self jobs ). containment for jobs in both the town and The data highlights that more people are community area. commuting in than out of the community area. The Kennet Housing Needs Survey11 also looked This could be because high house prices in the at the number of Kennet residents working within Kennet in 2005. It confirmed the high levels Marlborough Community Area residents
Figure 8: Journey to Work Patterns Marlborough CA, 2001 10 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, 2006 Table D.46 11 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006, Table 4.23 6 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
b) Accessibility The tables reveal that journey times to Swindon by car and public transport are similar. As the Conclusion:
closest centre providing higher level health Swindon is the only main centre equally
services and shopping this should be accessible by car and public transport from Community Area Plan Issue: encouraged. It is also the only destination where Marlborough. Much of the rural area does Improve public transport where required. there is a journey to work relationship from not have access to jobs by public transport. Better access to essential services for the Marlborough. Planning policies should seek to improve non-car user. levels of accessibility by public transport to
The most striking figures above are the service centres and local employment.
differences between journey times by car and Journey times from Marlborough to the journey times by public transport to Devizes and nearest main towns by car are as follows: Salisbury. There is no strong journey to work
relationship with these towns which may not be HOUSING Journey Distance Approx. because of choice but because of their relative journey time inaccessibility by any means other than the Marlborough – 12.8mi 25min a) Open Market private car. Salisbury in particular provides the Swindon same higher level services as Swindon but these Marlborough – 14.5mi 25min services are clearly much more difficult to access. Devizes Community Area Plan Issue:
Marlborough – 28.2mi 45min Lack of development land for housing. Wiltshire County Council’s Rural Facilities Survey Salisbury includes an assessment of journey to work public Source: A Community Fit for Our Children, Wiltshire County transport provision from each of the villages. The Council Housing Market data in 2005 revealed that 8 villages had a The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the whole Journey times from Marlborough to the journey to work service operating twice between of Kennet as within the Swindon Housing Market nearest main towns by public transport are as 7-9 o’clock and returning twice between 5-7 Area. As a consequence Swindon Borough follows: o’clock. This is down significantly from 2001 Council, North Wiltshire District Council and when 13 villages had such a service but up on Kennet District Council jointly commissioned a Journey Distance Approx. journey time the longer term historical rate of between 2 and Housing Market Assessment for the Swindon Marlborough 12.8mi 30min 4 villages over the period 1983-1991.12 area in 200613. The study recognised that – Swindon Swindon has some influence on the housing Marlborough 14.5mi 72min market in Kennet but that the distance from – Devizes Swindon of Marlborough and Devizes meant Marlborough 28.2mi 85min these had their own local housing market – Salisbury characteristics. The study showed that Source: A Community Fit for Our Children, Wiltshire County Council 12 Appendix 2, Rural Facilities Survey 2005, Wiltshire County Council. 13 Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 7 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Marlborough had relatively small scale and self movements in the District. Over 50% of House Prices contained household movement patterns. The households surveyed in the Marlborough The chart below highlights that average house travel to work data, above, suggests there is a Community Area had moved to their present prices in the Marlborough Community Area are stronger relationship in terms of jobs in Swindon address from elsewhere within the community generally higher than the rest of Kennet and (486 Marlborough residents work in Swindon) area. There was also significant movement from significantly higher than the average for the South than in terms of homes. Devizes to the Marlborough Community Area. West region. Houses in Marlborough are 33% (29%). The slightly higher number of moves out more expensive than South West average if Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 200514 of Marlborough to Swindon compared to moves buying a detached property and 26% more analysed past and present household locations to into Marlborough from Swindon could be a expensive for a terraced property. The Housing derive an understanding of household consequence of the higher house prices in the Market Area Assessment highlighted that the town. house price to income ration has been consistently higher in Kennet than the South West region. (Houses in Kennet are 8 – 9 times higher than lower quartile earnings.)
Marlborough Average House Prices by Type (Oct-Dec 06) Kennet South West £450,000 Wiltshire £400,000 £350,000 £300,000 £250,000 £200,000 £150,000 £100,000 £50,000 £0 Flats/maisonettes Terraced Semis Detached Type
Figure 10: Average House Prices by Type, Oct-Dec 2006 Source: Land Registry/Joseph Rowntree Foundation via Wiltshire & Swindon Intelligence Network. Marlborough CA Average House Prices Pew s ey CA £400,000 Devizes CA Tidw orth CA £350,000
£300,000
£250,000 Figure 9: Household Migration between Urban Areas 2000-2001 £200,000 Average Price £150,000 Source: Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 £100,000 05 06 t 05 r 06 06 r 07 07 ep 06 ep 07 Sep Dec Ma S Ma S l/ t/ n/ r/Jun t/Dec n/ r/Jun u a a p J Oc J Ap Jul/ QuarterOc J A Jul/ 14 Kennet District Council Housing Need Survey 2005, Figure 11: Average House Prices in Kennet Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006 Source: Land Registry post code data 8 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Within Kennet, data from the Land Registry using comparative rises in Devizes were 29%,13% and plan allocations. Some parishes, for example post code areas as a basis, reveals that house 63% for flats and in Trowbridge 20%, 14% and Berwick Bassett and East Kennet have seen no prices in the Marlborough Community Area are 5% for flats. In 2007 all categories of housing new homes built. consistently higher than Devizes and Tidworth were more expensive in Marlborough than other and follow a similar trend to house prices in the market towns in Wiltshire. At April 2007 around 170 homes have planning Pewsey Community Area. Clearly at this small permission and have yet to be built. 46% of these area level average house prices can be heavily Conclusion: are within Marlborough. In April 2007 the affected by the number and type of properties Affordability is a significant issue in the proposal for 174 homes at St Johns School had sold each month. Marlborough Community Area particularly been granted planning permission subject to a legal agreement. As the agreement had not been Average House Prices 2007 Detached in the terraced/small homes market. There Semi signed at that time these dwellings are in 500000 is a net movement to Swindon from Terraced addition to the 170 with existing planning 450000 Marlborough possibly due to the lower Flat 400000 house prices there. permission. 350000 300000 250000 Conclusion: 200000 150000 The majority of new homes within the 100000 New Homes15 Community Area have come forward on 50000 0 606 new homes have been built in the small unplanned housing sites. Significant Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trow bridge Melksham Calne Marlborough Community Area over the period releases of land have only been brought Figure 12: Average House Prices in Selected April 1996-April 2007, 42% have been within about through local plan allocations. Market Towns, 2007 Marlborough. Of those homes built in Planning policies need to consider whether Source: Source: Draft Wiltshire Housing Market Review Marlborough the largest developments have continuing providing housing in the for SHLAA, Lambert Smith Hampton based on Land Registry been the Children’s Hospital (22 homes), Wye community area on small unplanned House (37 homes), on the High Street (25 housing sites can meet community It is also worth noting that the Kennet Housing homes) and Burts Yard (42 homes). The sites at aspirations. Needs Survey in 2005 included a review of the Children’s Hospital and Wye House were house prices using local estate agents. They released as local plan allocations. Prior to 1996 reported that there were often few or no one large sites were completed at Portfields (35 bed homes available in the Marlborough homes), Rogers Meadow (112 homes) and Household Tenure Community Area and that period homes often Barton Farm (160 homes). In the rural areas, Data from the 2001 Census shows that there a commanded a premium. since 1996, the parishes of Great Bedwyn (69 significantly fewer owner occupiers in homes) and Burbage (76 homes) have seen the Marlborough (63%) compared to other market A more recent analysis of house price trends as most development. Homes built in Burbage and towns in Wiltshire, for example Melksham (75%) part of a Strategic Housing Land Availability Great Bewdyn were largely as a result of local and Trowbridge (75%). This may be because of Assessment in 2007 revealed that house prices the relatively high house prices. Figure 12, for terraced homes, semis and flats have risen by 15 Housing Land Supply Statement: Technical Appendices, above, shows that the average price of a terraced more than 30% in Marlborough since 2004. The Kennet District Council, April 2007 9 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
2000 house in Marlborough was around £269,000 in Annual Housing Need 2007. In contrast the average price for a terraced Conclusion: 250 2005 195 house in Melksham was about £148,000 and in There are fewer owner occupiers in 200 175 Marlborough than other market towns in 150 Trowbridge £154,000. Quickly demonstrating 110 100 the difficulty first time buyers will have. Wiltshire. Policies should seek to introduce 100 55 49 No. of homes of No. 36 more affordable market homes and 50 26 Household Tenure 2001 Owner Occupied acknowledge the social needs of those Rented Social 0 Marlborough Tidworth Pewsey Devizes 80% Rented Private within the town on lower incomes. Community Area 70% 60%
50% Figure 14: Annual Housing Needs Survey 40% b) Affordable Housing Source: KDC Housing Needs Survey 2000 and 2005 30% 20% 10% Since April 2001 when the policy was first
0% introduced in draft only 4 planning permissions Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trow bridge Melksham Calne Community Area Plan Priority: have been granted involving 15 or more homes Community Area Plan priority - Provision of Figure 13: Household Tenure in Selected all of which were in the rural areas. In terms of more affordable housing to rent or buy — Market Towns, 2001 promoting a balanced rural community. the success of the local plan policy, therefore, Source: 2001 Census affordable homes are being built in the rural
To perhaps compensate for the high prices there areas but no new eligible sites have been are proportionately more residents in homes permitted in Marlborough. The negotiations in The adopted Kennet Local Plan 2011 includes in rented from the council or housing associations relation to development at St John’s School Policy HC28 a requirement that all housing sites in Marlborough than in other market towns Marlborough will be the first to provide involving 15 homes or more in Marlborough except Devizes. 20% of homes were rented affordable homes in the town since the Housing should provide 50% of those homes as affordable from either the council or a housing association Needs Survey in 2000. housing. In the rural area a ‘one for one’ policy in Marlborough compared to 14% in Melksham Tidworth is in force. This level of need was justified Affordable Homes Provided since April 2001 Marlborough and 13% in Trowbridge. This would suggest that 140 through a Housing Needs Survey carried out in Devizes Pewsey there are fewer people in Marlborough able to 16 120 2000 which identified 56% of Kennet’s Others purchase their own home which is disguised by housing need arising in the Marlborough 100 the outward appearance of the town as wealthy. Community Area. 80 Marlborough also has the highest level of 60 privately rented accommodation which may be homes of No. 40 related to the College and the tenure of housing 20 for teachers and lecturers. 0 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 Year
Figure 15: Affordable Homes built in Kennet since 16 Kennet District Council Housing Needs and Condition April 2001 Survey 2001, Fordham Research Limited Source: KDC Housing Services 10 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
Land Registry data and the Kennet Housing Needs ENVIRONMENT Survey in 2005 confirm that both house prices and monthly rents are highest in the Marlborough area with Marlborough is the largest community area in Wiltshire covering 38,342 hectares of land. The the difference particularly marked in the detached/four whole of the area is within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In bed market. Interestingly, however, despite house prices January 2004 a Management Plan for the AONB was approved the Council of Partners which and rents being the highest in the District and the limited brought together the 11 constituent authorities, nature conservation interests, historic environment supply of new affordable homes that has been brought interests, Countryside Agency, farming and rural business interests, community and parish interests forward in the community area in recent years the results and recreation and tourism interests. In seeking to achieve a 20 year vision for the AONB 52 of the 2005 housing needs survey indicated a drop in the objectives have been set grouped in 14 themes. annual housing need requirement for Marlborough from
175 affordable homes per year in 2000 to 100 affordable homes per year in 2005 for the next 5 years. Community Area Plan Priority:
Conservation/enhancement of AONB, protection of the countryside and promotion of the
In absolute terms 100 affordable homes per year remains Avebury World Heritage Site Management Plan. an unachievable goal. In the period April 2001- April
2007 only 75 affordable homes have been delivered in Table 4: Themes for the North Wessex Downs AONB the Marlborough Community Area, significantly less than Theme Title No. of in the Devizes CA and Tidworth CA. Only 12 of these Objectives homes were delivered through agreements attached to 1 Conserving And Enhancing The Landscape Character And Diversity 4 planning permissions 2 Celebrating The Past 3
3 Conserving Remoteness And Tranquillity 4
4 Increasing Biodiversity 6
Conclusion: 5 Sustaining Natural Resources 4
Local housing need for affordable housing has 6 Land-Based Economy As Custodian Of The Landscape 5
declined since 2001 but remains significant at 100 7 Promoting A Low Carbon Economy 3
homes per year. Only 75 new affordable homes 8 Enjoyment As An Economic Driver 3
have been built in the community area since 9 Diversifying Economic Opportunities 3
2001. Planning policies need to address how to 10 Developing Appropriate Skills For The Future 2
provide more affordable homes to meet local 11 Supporting Vibrant Communities 5
needs. 12 Encouraging Sustainable Travel 3
13 Establishing Common Understanding 5
14 Maintaining Productive Partnerships 2
11 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
There are 10 Special Areas of Conservation in • Chilton Foliat meadows (55.77ha) • Fyfield Down (327.66ha) is notified for Wiltshire of which a cluster of sites are located in comprise an extensive system of wet both its geomorphological and biological the Kennet and Lambourne valleys. The SAC neutral meadows, watercourses, tall fen interest. Geomorphologically, Fyfield supports one of the most extensive known vegetation and scrub. This complex of Down displays the best assemblage of populations of Desmoulin’s whorl snail in the UK wet habitats is unusual in Wiltshire. The sarsen stones in Britain and also shows and is one of two sites representing the species in site supports a diverse flora and a variety periglacial features of considerable the south-western part of its range in the of birds, the meadows being one of the importance. important chalk stream habitat Kennet & most important areas in the county for Lambourne Floodplain SAC extends to 114.47ha breeding waders.
National Nature Reserves (NNR) are places to protect the most important areas of wildlife habitat and geological formations in Britain. The Fyfield Down NNR extends some 229.75 hectares and has a combination of geomorphological, biological and archaeological features which are unique and quite unrivalled in Great Britain. There are no local nature reserves located in the Marlborough Community Area. There are 9 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Marlborough Community Area. • The River Kennet (106.37ha) has a catchment dominated by chalk with the majority of the river bed being lined by gravels. The catchment of the River Kennet forms a major stronghold in England for the nationally rare and declining Desmoulin's whorl snail • Botley Down (12.38ha) is an area of chalk downland supporting a rich flora and a variety of associated butterflies. It is located to the east of the Vale of Pewsey at the intersection of the chalk of Salisbury Plain, the Hampshire Downs and Marlborough Downs. Figure 16: Marlborough community area with protected areas identified
12 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
• Ham Hill (1.41ha) is a small but specialist shops and petrol stations. Facilities that remarkable area of chalk grassland Conclusion: have been improved over the period since 1976 supporting a diverse assemblage of plants The Marlborough Community Area contains are village halls and professional commercial and a wide variety of associated many areas of great natural beauty and services perhaps reflecting the nature of residents butterflies biodiversity which must be protected from in the rural parts of the community area who are inappropriate development. Planning active in the community and are looking for • Piggledene (4.57ha) is notified for both policies should seek to deliver the aims and professional services close to home in contrast to its geomorphological and biological objectives of management plans, the their daily shopping habits which are focused interest. It is of geomorphological interest designation statements and conservation on where they work rather than live. for the abundance of sarsen stones which statements wherever possible. is complementary to that found on Table 3: Summary of Facilities in Marlborough nearby Fyfield Down. Biologically the site Community Area is noted for the important lichen flora Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 found upon the sarsens. Community & Culture Primary School 13 12 11 11 PO Independent 5 4 2 0 • Savernake Forest (912.83ha) is an PO Linked 13 12 10 7 extensive area of ancient woodland with a) Local Facilities General Food 29 18 15 8 over one thousand years of documented Shop history. One of the largest woods in Branch Library 2 2 2 2 Wiltshire, it harbours an outstanding Community Area Plan Priority: Doctors Surgery 3 3 3 3 lichen flora and a wide variety of other Closure of key facilities in rural areas such as Health Clinic 2 4 4 6 plants, post offices, pubs and shops. Village Hall 15 20 25 26 Professional 12 20 21 52 • Silbury Hill (2.18ha) is an area of Commercial 17 botanically rich chalk grassland on steep Since 1976, Wiltshire County Council has carried Services 18 slopes exhibiting the full range of aspects. out a Rural Facilities Survey which records the Journey to Work 11 11 10 Although an artificial earthwork the hill is range of local services available in villages across composed of local chalk, constructed Wiltshire. The latest survey was carried out in The results of the latest survey seem to identify a several thousand years ago, allowing the 2005. A summary of the data for the community correlation between the facilities a village has on development of semi-natural vegetation. area shows considerable changes in the nature of offer and its population. Large villages are defined facilities provided. Many of the services that are • Kennet & Lambourn Floodplain (22.9ha) provided by or subsidised by a public body have remained consistent – libraries, primary schools, 17 This category includes all professional services including doctors and rural bus services. Others, where solicitors, dentists, vets and chiropractors. 18 Journey to Work Level 2 requires that one bus service private finance is required have declined, for departs between 7 and 9 in the morning and returns example post offices, general food shops, between 5 and 7 in the evening. The total travel time must not exceed one hour. 13 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile as those with a population greater than 750. In the Marlborough Community • Burbage, Ramsbury and Great Bedwyn which have a range of Area these are Great Bedwyn, Burbage, Ramsbury and Aldbourne. Medium community facilities including the four core services of a primary villages are those with a population between 250 and 750 people. school, post office, general food shop and journey to work bus service. They also have some higher tier services such as a mobile library, Of the 350 settlements surveyed in Wiltshire only 61 had what are classed as doctors surgery and health clinic. the four basic facilities – primary school, general food shop, post office19 and journey to work bus service. Albourne, Avebury, Baydon, Burbage, Ramsbury, • Aldbourne, Baydon, and Shalbourne which contain at least the four Shalbourne and Great Bedwyn were seven of the 61. core services of a primary school, post office, general food shop and journey to work bus service. The analysis also looked at a wider range of 8 ‘community facilities’ based on current structure plan policies. These 8 facilities were the four already • Remaining villages with a sporadic distribution of some community mentioned plus a pub, church, community hall and a recreation field. Within facilities the Marlborough Community Area Burbage, Ramsbury, Shalbourne and Great Bedwyn were the only settlements with all 8 facilities in 2005. Aldbourne, Avebury and Baydon had 7. Conclusion: There is clearly a correlation with the level of services provided in these villages Publicly supported facilities in the rural areas have remained relatively and their population. Avebury is perhaps an exception in that some of the local constant. Many privately funded facilities are in decline. Planning facilities are supported by visitors to the henge. Other anomalies to the pattern policies need to respond to the changing emphasis in the type of are Grafton (4/8) and West Overton (4/8) where although their populations are facilities provided in the rural areas. The villages of Burbage, Ramsbury similar to Broad Hinton (6/8) and Baydon (7/8) the level of facilities is much and Great Bedwyn should be recognised as those villages with higher lower. order community facilities.
There should also be a note of caution in that the situation is constantly changing, for example, the small school at Avebury closed in 2007.
A settlement hierarchy within the community area is, however, evolving from the information within the Rural Facilities Survey.
• Marlborough with its core services.
19 In December 2007 the Post Office produced a ‘Network Change Programme’ which detailed an area plan for Wiltshire. A number of post office branches are proposed for closure. Within Kennet these are at Erlestoke, Manningford Bruce and London Road, Marlborough. The branch at Avebury is to become an outreach service which may mean a mobile library service, a hosted service within a shop or other community building or a partner service for example with a pub landlord. All the remaining post offices within the Devizes Community Area are unaffected by the proposed changes. 14 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
b) Social deprivation. From this information a score is derived for each area; a low score indicating greater deprivation: the
most deprived local authority is indicated by a rank of 1.
According to the 2004 English Indices of Multiple Community Area Plan Priority: To maintain and where possible improve access to local health facilities. Deprivation, Kennet has an overall rank of 295 out of 354 local authorities. This places Kennet in the top 20% of least deprived local authorities.
The chart below identifies the different census super output areas within Kennet. The darkest shading indicates the most deprived areas in Kennet although none of these are in the bottom 25% of most deprived areas within England. The lightest shading indicates areas with the least deprivation – areas within the top quartile of least deprived areas in England. Within the Marlborough Community Areas part of the Marlborough East Ward stands out as being one of the most deprived areas in Kennet. However the remainder of the Marlborough East Ward, Marlborough West, Burbage, Aldbourne and West Selkley Wards are some of the least deprived wards in the District.
The map shows are aggregate scores based on individual assessments for income, employment, health, education, accessibility, crime and living environment. These subject based assessments do show that 50% of super output areas in Kennet are in the bottom quartile for accessibility – a particular rural issue. This reinforces data revealed in the Rural Facilities Survey.
Interestingly, in relation to health. 75% of the super output Figure 17: Kennet Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2004) areas in Kennet are within the top quartile ie the best 25% in England. Since 2004 a review of health services within Community Area Plan issue – Kennet has taken place and it will be useful to compare more recent results. Indices of Multiple Deprivation combine information relating to income, employment, education, health, skills and training, barriers to housing and services and crime into an overall measure of
15 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Marlborough Community Area Profile
• Explore the need for a range of cultural • Provide guidance and attract widespread Conclusion: facilities eg workshop, exhibition and support to increase understanding, There is a general issue relating to performance space respect and care of the exceptional accessibility from the rural areas to services • Raise the profile of arts and crafts cultural landscape. that needs to be addressed, otherwise the community area enjoys a good quality of life There are 23 conservation areas in the Marlborough College was founded in 1843. The based on the English Indices of Multiple community area (Aldbourne, Avebury, Axford, College has a significant presence both physically Deprivation. The causes and circumstances Baydon, Burbage, Chilton Foliat, Chisbury, East and socially within the town. Today the College that influence part of the east of Grafton, East Kennet, Froxfield, Great Bedwyn, caters for about 870 pupils the majority of which Marlborough to score relatively poorly on Ham, Little Bedwyn, Lockeridge, Manton, are boarders. These are accommodated in 14 the IMD should be explored further. Marlborough, Mildenhall, Ogbourne St. Andrew, boarding houses within the town. Ogbourne St. George, Ramsbury, Shalbourne,
West Kennet, Wilton). All of the conservation Conclusion: c) Cultural / built heritage areas, except Burbage, have a recently revised The Marlborough Community Area already and updated conservation area statement to has a rich cultural and built heritage which highlight the essential characteristics and features needs to be supported, complemented and Community Area Plan Priority: of each conservation area. A Burbage developed. Quality events, improved facilities and more Conservation Appraisal and Management Plan is local participation. currently the subject of consultation.
The Marlborough Community Area has an Culture, in all its forms including recreation, internationally recognised archaeological heritage leisure, sports and the arts, makes a major in the Avebury World Heritage Site and 212 contribution to the quality of community life. ancient monuments. The Avebury World Often, this is made possible by the highly valued Heritage Management Plan was approved in voluntary contribution of groups and individuals. August 2005 and relates to the period 2005- The community area plan identifies some very 2011. The Plan presents a set of management specific projects, relevant to the planning objectives based on a strategic view over thirty process, that are considered essential to years and medium-term objectives for five to ten improving the quality of the community area’s years. The Plan aims to: cultural life. • Establish an overall vision for the long- term vision of the Avebury WHS • Promote the Avebury World Heritage • Explore opportunities for positive Site Management Plan management with farmers, landowners • Develop a cinema and theatre in and other agencies which will enhance Marlborough the landscape character of the WHS
16
PEWSEY COMMUNITY AREA PROFILE - SUMMARY
Context
• The Pewsey Community Area covers 22,144 hectares. • The community area population in 2006 was 10,680 • Pewsey is the largest town with a population of 3340 in 2006 • The number of economically active people in the community area is expected to increase by 5% between 2001 - 2016
Planning issues to consider:
Housing • How to provide a high standard of housing for an increasingly elderly population. • How to provide open market homes to a size and value appropriate to local incomes. • How to introduce an appropriate mix of housing to ensure affordability is improved in all sectors of the housing market. • How to improve community benefits from small unplanned housing sites. • How to continue to provide affordable housing to meet local need. Economy • How to create a choice of new local employment opportunities. • How to diversify the rural economy. • How to intensify, regenerate and improve job opportunities on existing employment sites. • How to encourage new premises for smaller business to support local economy. • Does the existing retail offer in Pewsey meet the needs of local residents. • Should the retail centre of Pewsey diversify to fulfil a greater proportion of functions other than convenience based services. • How to insure the adequate and flexible supply of appropriate employment land and premises linked to demand. Environment • How to protect the local environment. • How to achieve objectives for the North Wessex Downs AONB. • How to encourage more sustainable forms of development. Community • How to recognise the role of Pewsey as the main service centre in the community area. • How to enhance and develop Pewsey’s cultural heritage through the redevelopment of the Broomcroft site. • How to support the promotion of Pewsey as a tourist destination. Movement • How to maintain or improve existing levels of self containment for work. • How to improve levels of accessibility by public transport from rural areas to centres of local employment.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
Strengths Opportunities An established strong sense of community spirit and Regeneration of the Broomcroft road site. identity. The promotion of Pewsey as a heritage village and Publicly funded facilities have remained relatively tourist destination. constant and high. Likelihood of an expanding voluntary/community A rich landscape and natural environment acknowledged sector. for its national and international value. The delivery of new homes at a size and value Road based journey to work patterns are largely self appropriate to local need and circumstances. contained within the community area. Delivery of affordable homes to meet local demand and Significant number of small firms and business need. opportunities. Better use of existing employment sites to increase job High average income opportunities.
Railway station Intensification of a strong small business economy. Weaknesses Threats Large disparity between income groups Loss of employment sites to residential uses.
Large proportion of affordable homes delivered through An increasingly elderly population with implications for housing allocations. health and social care.
Retail choice is largely convenience based. Comparatively small growth within the economically active population. Built community based facilities largely dependent on investment through developers. Declining number of privately funded facilities in rural areas. High dependence on the motor vehicle for inter rural journeys. Hidden issues through the increasing disparity between the community areas social makeup.
Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
The community area has limited facilities in comparison to neighbouring areas however the village of Vision: Pewsey does include a railway station with regular services on the Exeter – London Paddington line. The Pewsey Community Area will continue to be a beautiful and pleasant natural environment with strong community spirit and plenty of local Population involvement. It is a living and working countryside. 1 Access to education, health, social care, housing and The total population of the Pewsey Community Area is 10,680 . Although one of the largest in policing will be available to everyone in the terms of area the community area is the smallest within Kennet in terms of population size and Community Area. People will live without the fear or density. threat of crime. All sections of the community area will be able to participate in decision making. The parish of Pewsey has a population of 3,3402 equating to 30% of the total community area population. The population density of the community area is comparatively low at 0.43. The To reduce the decline in employment and improve parishes of Upavon and Netheravon have similar population densities to Pewsey. local facilities. To maintain viable rural communities and keep communities safe. To consolidate The rest of the community area is made up of smaller parishes ranging in population from 40 Pewsey’s role as a service centre within its existing through to 580. boundaries and offer a range of facilities for the surrounding villages whilst maintaining the rural Table 1: Community Area Population 2006 character of the area (Pewsey Community Area Area Population (Mid year est 2006) Plan). Kennet District 77,900 Devizes Community Area 30,920 CONTEXT Marlborough Community Area 22,220 Tidworth Community Area 14,080 The Pewsey Community Area covers 22,144 hectares. Pewsey Community Area 10,680 Source: Mid year population estimates WCC 2006 There are 22 parishes within the community area the most populated of which being Pewsey with a) Population Projections approximately 30% of the community area residing Figure 1 highlights the population projections for the four community areas within Kennet. These within this parish. The area is sparsely populated with projections are based against draft RSS housing figures. villages and large farm estates. Other significant villages in terms of comparative size include Upavon and Tidworth shows the greatest projected growth with a net percentage increase of 12% from 2001 to Netheravon. 2016. Pewsey shows a net percentage increase of 2% for the same period. This growth is comparable with Marlborough at 3%. Situated between the Marlborough Downs and Salisbury Plain the Pewsey Community Area is home to a rich rural landscape. The community area includes a proportion of 1 the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Mid year population estimates WCC 2006 2 Mid year population estimates WCC 2006 Beauty. 1 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
same period. It is estimated that the Marlborough C.A. will see a 3% increase Marlborough Community Area Devizes Com m unity Area in economically active persons. Pewsey Community Area Tidworth Community Area 35000 The comparatively small increase in the economically active population when 30000 compared to Devizes at 19%. Corresponds with an increasing elderly 25000 population within the community area.
20000 Economically Active 2001 2006 2011 2016 15 0 0 0 Marlborough C.A. 10830 10890 11080 11200 10 0 0 0 Devizes C.A. 14340 15250 16160 17020
5000 Pewsey C.A. 5490 5520 5680 5770 Tidworth C.A. 8800 8360 8760 9270 0 2001 2006 2011 2016 Year Figure 1: Estimated Change in Population 2006-2016 Conclusion: Source: WCC Community Area Level Population Projections, May 2007 The economically active population of Pewsey is projected to increase by 1.7% between 2001 and 2016. It is, therefore, important to The WCC population estimates anticipate a comparatively small percentage encourage an increasing variety and choice of employment increase of 5% between 2001 and 2016 within the economically active opportunities to retain workers in local employment and support the population. This needs to be set in the context that total activity rates in local economy. Wiltshire which as a whole is one of the highest in the south west. 84% of the population are economically active compared to 77% in Bath & North East Somerset and there are a very low number of people claiming unemployment b) Age Structure benefit (0.9% in Wiltshire compared to 1.3% in the south west as a whole)3
WCC Population Projections (Draft RSS Housing Figures) Community Area Plan Issue: Population 2001 2006 2011 2016 Provision of housing for those who need it including young people and Marlborough C.A. 21820 22220 22280 22440 families. Care for the elderly. Support for children and families. Care for Devizes C.A. 29080 30920 31260 31860 vulnerable in winter months. Pewsey C.A. 10520 10680 10720 10780
Tidworth C.A. 14270 14080 15030 15940 The chart (figure 2) highlights the age structure of the Pewsey Community
Area (Census 2001) compared to Wiltshire. Pewsey’s estimated economically active population increase is comparable with Tidworth C.A. which also shows a net percentage increase of 5% for the Pewsey Community Area shows a greater proportion of people aged 30 to 75+. It also shows fewer young people principally within the 20 to 29 age group. 3 South West Observatory Labour Market Review, October 2007, Figs 2 & 9 2 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
30.00 Economy 25.00 20.00 a) Jobs
Pewsey % 15.00 Wiltshire
10.00 Community Area Plan Issue: 5.00 Availability of jobs. Retain/increase industrial/commercial job opportunities and employment sites. 0.00 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-44 45-59 60-74 75+ Age Figure 2: Comparison of Population Age Groups in Pewsey CA The 2001 Census recorded 5490 economically active persons within the Pewsey Community Area Source: WCC Community Area Level Population Projections, May 2007 Over 40% of these people reside within the town of Pewsey. Just over 14% of the economically inactive population are retired. It is estimated that the age group of 60+ will see a 6% rise from 2001 to 2016. It is also projected that the 75+ The chart below highlights sectors of work within the community area (census 2001). 15% of age range will see a rise of 2% over the same period. It is people work within real estate; renting and business activities. A further 14% work in wholesale projected that the younger age groups will decrease and retail trade and the repair of motor vehicles significantly. Agriculture; hunting; forestry 6% Fishing Mining and quarrying An increasingly elderly population will not only have Other 0% 0% implications for health services but could also have 6% Health and social work Manufacturing consequences for education services as there is a 9% 10% corresponding decline in young children, especially as Electricity; gas and water supply Pewsey Vale School is already experiencing a decline in 1% Education pupil numbers. 6% Construction 8%
Conclusion: Public administration and defence It is important that polices take account of 12% Wholesale and retail trade; repair an increasing elderly population. Specific of motor vehicles policies relating to employment, housing, 14% education and health care provision will be Hotels and catering of particular relevance. 4% Real estate; renting and business Transport storage and activities 15% communication 6% Financial Intermediation 3%
Figure 3: Area of work (Census 2001) 3 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
% of businesses 1-10 employees 11% of businesses within Pewsey employ The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 2005 between 11-49 people again this is comparable estimated that the Pewsey community area has 90 88 with Marlborough at 10%. The town of Devizes, the second highest average income (including 86 Chippenham and Trowbridge all have a greater non-housing benefits) within Kennet at £33,560 84 4 82 percentage of businesses employing between 11- per annum. This compares to £29,313 per 80 78 49 people than Pewsey. annum in the Tidworth community area. 76 74 e l s h al 2006 ABI Data e gh dg ham u ri sh c) Employment Land n b r ewsey idwort e Deviz boro P w l T ro dg % of businesses 50-200+ employees T Lu Chippe Mar 6 Figure 4: % of Businesses 1-10 Employees 5 Community Area Plan Issue: Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2005 4 Retain/increase industrial/commercial job Suppressed Data: due to the restrictions imposed by the 1947 3 Statistics of Trade Act opportunities and employment sites. Suppressed 2 Suppressed Suppressed Data Data Data 1 Pewsey has significant number of small firms with 0 The study of the Kennet Economy prepared by h ge ll 87% of businesses employing 1-10 people. The ham izes ug sey id 5 n v ro w worth rsha d wbr e Atkins identified a number of key employment ppe De lbo Pe Ti o ar udg number of smaller businesses within Pewsey is hi Tr L C M locations in the community area; these are listed comparable with Marlborough. It is interesting to Figure 6: % of Businesses 50-200 Employees in the table below. note that the larger service centres of Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2005 Chippenham and to a lesser extent Devizes have Suppressed Data: due to the restrictions imposed by the 1947 Statistics of Trade Act Table 2: Employment Areas in Pewsey CA between 6-7% fewer small businesses than Site Proposed Employment In terms of larger employers between 50-200+ Pewsey. Status Pewsey only has 1 business employing between % of businesses 11-49 employees Salisbury Road Locally important 50-119 people, this accounts for 1% of businesses. Industrial Estate employment site. Should
20 be protected despite 15 Conclusion: poor location. 10 Suppressed Suppressed Polices should facilitate an appropriate Marlborough Road Site unlikely to be 5 Data Data amount of business premises to be made Allocation brought forward for 0 available interrelated to demand and growth h y e ll development due to g e th g a u s r h w within the community area. Polices should evizes oro e brid ers ownership and access D b P Tidwo w g also encourage and protect the diversity of Chippenham Marl Tro Lud constraints. Alternative business opportunities to encourage and Figure 5: % of Businesses 11-49 Employees locations should be Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2005 promoteb) Income sustainable communities. considered. Suppressed Data: due to the restrictions imposed by the 1947 Statistics of Trade Act 4 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006, Figure 6.5 5 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, 2006 4 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
Site Proposed Employment which equates to 0.35ha of new employment retail units these have been gradually taken up Status space. Occupancy rates are already high creating with convenience based goods space. Station Yard Site very well located for a diverse selection of small businesses. employment uses. Site The charts below are based on Wiltshire County under pressure for Despite Pewsey being a comparatively popular Council data and provide a comparison of the residential use. location for small businesses and offices, there retail floorspace in Devizes, Marlborough, Calne, Fordbrook Estate Locally important have been significant losses of employment sites Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge and employment site which to housing. Since 2001 the settlement of Pewsey Pewsey. Pewsey has the largest proportion of should be protected has seen a loss of 7 employment sites equating to convenience goods retail space compared to the against non employment a total loss of 0.61ha of employment space. other selected market towns within the region. development. This emphasises the current role of Pewsey as a Old Coal Yard Parts of site provide Conclusion: local service centre. potential for Policies will need to ensure the adequate 1994/5 400000 intensification of 2006 provision of employment land linked to 350000 employment function. demand. Polices relating to the provision of 300000 Swan Corner Site requires a degree of 250000 employment land will also need to consider 200000 redevelopment. May be 150000 the deliverability and suitability of 100000 more appropriately outstanding allocations. 50000 developed for housing. 0 e m m es a ugh aln ridge eviz ro C b D Pewsey row arlbo Melksha T Pewsey is a relatively popular office location due d) Town Centre M Chippenh to its rail links. The majority of occupiers are Figure 7: Total Floorspace (sqft) in Selected Market local companies rather than nationals. Currently Towns this position is likely to remain unchanged in Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team Community Area Plan Issue: view of competition from other larger towns Maintaining Pewsey’s role as a service centre. 100% within the region. 90% 80%
Pewsey has the smallest retail centre within the 70% The Marlborough road allocation has been 60% selected market towns highlighted in figure 7. 50% allocated for a number of years and whilst it Pewsey has seen a 49% increase in retail floor 40% would provide an appropriate, locally significant 30% space between 1994 and 2006 bringing the total 20% employment area for Pewsey, ownership and 10% estimated floorspace in the town to 22,890 0% access are considerable constraints which are Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trowbridge Pewsey square feet in 2006. Over this period the biggest likely to continue to hamper the deliverability of increase of 26% can be identified within Convenience goods Clothing & Footwear Household Other Non Food Vacant the site in the future. convenience goods retail floor space; this is due Figure 8: Type of Floorspace in Selected Market Towns,
to the old Co-op relocating to a new premises 2006 The Salisbury Road site is now fully committed Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team which has subsequently increased the number of with the second phase of ten new units comlete 5 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
Figure 9 represents a comparison of retail floorspace a) Travel to Work change in selected market towns between the years
1995 and 2006. Pewsey shows a significant marked Figure 11 represents journey to work patterns for road based journeys to and from the Pewsey increase in retail floorspace in percentage terms when Community Area and from Pewsey Town. The percentages represent the journeys to and from the compared to the other towns. This is due to the towns and community areas highlighted within figure 11. co-op in the centre of the village. In reality the volume of new floorspace is relatively small. About 14% of the Pewsey Community Area travel to work in Pewsey Town. The biggest
proportions of journeys are internally within Pewsey Town at approximately 52%. The second Pewsey largest proportion of journeys within the Pewsey Community Area comes from Devizes and Trowbridge Marlborough Community Areas but not from the Towns suggesting a significant proportion of inter-
Melksham rural journeys.
Chippenham About 60% of residents within the Pewsey Community Area travel to work within the Community Calne Area. Approximately 7% of residents within the Pewsey Community Area travel to work in the Marlborough Devizes and the Marlborough Community Area. A further 8% of people travel to work in Devizes
Devizes and Marlborough Town. Pewsey town has an internal commuting containment of approximately
-20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 52%. A proportion of residents also commute to other towns including Marlborough 10%, Swindon 7% and Devizes 4%. Figure 9: Change in Retail Floorspace in Selected Market Towns, 1995 - 2006 Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team
Conclusion: Policies should continue to encourage the growth and diversity of the community’s retail service centre in proportion to the needs of local residents.
Movements
Community Area Plan Issue: Access to the countryside for disabled and less
mobile people. Bus services. Bus links between Figure 10: Road based Journey to Work Pewsey Station and outlying villages. Road Patterns Pewsey CA, 2001 scheme and safety improvements.
6 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
Devizes and Marlborough Towns show little b) Accessibility The differences between journey times by car relationship in terms of inward commuting from and public transport are significant upon certain Pewsey but a stronger relationship is observed in routes in particular the Swindon and Salisbury terms of outward commuting to Marlborough at Community Area Plan Issue: journey time. Public transport on the Swindon 10%. No dominant journey to work pattern is Lack of transport for young. Elderly and route takes approximately 20mis longer than established between the towns identified suggesting Journeyyoung parentstimes from with Pewsey no vehicle. to the Retention nearest of private car whereas public transport to Salisbury a significant proportion of short inter-rural existing bus services. takes 30mis longer. The Marlborough to Devizes commutes. towns by car are as follows: routes takes an estimated 5 minutes longer by public transport. Pewsey railway station is on the Berks and Hants Journey Distance Approx. journey time line and is served by intercity services operated Pewsey also has a train station with regular Pewsey - Marlborough 6.8mi 15min by First Great Western to and from the West services on the Exeter – London Paddington line. Pewsey – Devizes 11.9mi 20min Country. The average journey time to London Pewsey – Andover 20.8mi 35min The services which run through the station have Paddington from Pewsey is just over an hour. Pewsey – Salisbury 21.5mi 35min no local stops and are mostly intercity services. Services to Bedwyn, the next station up the line, Pewsey - Swindon 19.5mi 40min are infrequent with most east-bound services Conclusion: next calling at Hungerford, Newbury or Reading. Journey times from Pewsey to the nearest main Pewsey town and its community area are towns by public transport are as follows: well served in terms of their connectivity to Census data 2001 shows that 2.9% of workers the transport network. Development plan within the Pewsey community area use rail to Journey Approx. journey polices will need to encourage this self travel to work. Devizes has the least proportion time containment and ensure that future of workers utilisng rail travel at 0.8% wheras Pewsey - 6.8mi 20min development does not intensify issues Tidworth and Marlboough show a slightly Marlborough surrounding the frequency and the provision increased percentage at 1.3% and 2% respectivly Pewsey – Devizes 11.9mi 25min Pewsey – Andover 20.8mi No direct service of transport services for marginal groups when compared to Pewsey. Pewsey – Salisbury 21.5mi 65min including the young and old.
Pewsey - Swindon 19.5mi 60min Conclusion:
The community area has a significant The charts above highlight that the closest town Housing
proportion of internal commuter journeys. both in distance and journey time is
Policies should continue to encourage self Marlborough. Marlborough has a range of a) Open Market containment to support more sustainable facilities and in particular retail outlets which
patterns of transport. potentially offer greater choice and variety than
Pewsey. This is also reflected within the journey Community Area Plan Issue: to work relationship highlighting a strong Ensure the quality of the built environment. outward commuting pattern to Marlborough. Care for the elderly.
7 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
Housing Market Wiltshire prices with the exception of detached Pewsey House Prices The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the whole homes which are marginally higher within this £450,000 £400,000 of Kennet as within the Swindon Housing Market period than all of the comparables listed within £350,000 Area. As a consequence Swindon Borough the chart. £300,000 £250,000 Flats/maisonettes Terraced
Council, North Wiltshire District Council and Price Semis £200,000 Detached Pewsey Kennet District Council jointly commissioned a Average House Prices by Type (Oct-Dec 06) £150,000 Kennet South West £100,000 Housing Market Assessment for the Swindon area £500,000 6 Wiltshire £50,000 in 2006 . The study recognised that Swindon has £450,000 £0 £400,000 Jul/Sept 05 Oct/Dec 05 Jan/Mar 06 Apr/Jun 06 Jul/Sep 06 Oct/Dec 06 Jan/Mar 07 Apr/Jun 07 Quarter some influence on the housing market in Kennet £350,000 but that the distance from Swindon of Marlborough £300,000 Figure 13: Pewsey House Prices and Devizes meant these had their own local £250,000 Source: Land Registry £200,000 housing market characteristics. Pewsey, being more £150,000 distant, is also unlikely to be affected by the £100,000 The Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005 carried £50,000 out an estate and lettings agency survey. This housing market in Swindon. £0 Flats/maisonettes Terraced Semis Detached survey highlighted that the cheapest one and two Figure 11: Average House Prices by Type, Oct-Dec 2006 The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 20057 bedroom properties can be found in Pewsey and Source: Land Registry/Joseph Rowntree Foundation via Wiltshire & the cheapest three and four bedroom homes in analysed past and present household locations to Swindon Intelligence Network. derive an understanding of household movements Devizes. Generally, Marlborough is more in the District. The chart below highlights average house prices expensive than the other areas. within Kennet’s Community Areas. Pewsey and It shows that most households are likely to have Marlborough have significantly higher average b) Affordable Housing moved within the same area; however households house prices than both Devizes and Tidworth. previously in Pewsey are more likely to have Marlborough CA Community Area Plan Issue: relocated to Devizes than remain in Pewsey. The Average House Prices Pew s ey CA £400,000 Devizes CA Provision of affordable housing for those Pewsey community area has the highest proportion Tidw orth CA of people working outside its area at 56.7% whilst £350,000 who need it including vulnerable groups Marlborough has the lowest at 23.6%. £300,000 and young people and families. £250,000
£200,000 Average Price House Prices £150,000 The Kennet housing needs survey identified that
The chart below highlights the average house £100,000 Pewsey had a need for 49 affordable homes per 7 5 6 6 7 0 05 0 0 0 t c r 07 n prices within the Pewsey Community Area. The e u annum in 2005. This is a significant marked Sep D /Mar Ma /J /Sep / n ul ul/Sep 0 an/ J house prices within the Pewsey community area Jul Oct/ Ja Apr/Jun 06 J QuarterOct/Dec 06 J Apr increase from 26 homes per annum in 2000. are comparable with both the South West and Figure 12: Average House Prices in Kennet Source: Land Registry post code data
6 Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 7 Kennet District Council Housing Need Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006 8 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
2000 Annual Housing Need 250 2005 Conclusion: Conclusion: 195 200 175 Local housing need for affordable housing A significant proportion of housing within
150 has increased since 2001 from 26 to 49 the Pewsey Community Area has been 110 100 homes per year. Only 26 new affordable brought forward on windfall sites. Polices 100 55 49 homes have been built in the community will need to assess this supply to consider
No. of homes of No. 36 50 26 area since 2000. Policies will need to whether it delivers the right type of housing 0 address how to provide more affordable and whether it is proportionate to the needs Marlborough Tidworth Pewsey Devizes homes to meet local need. of the community area. Community Area
Figure 14: Annual Housing Needs Survey 8 Source: KDC Housing Needs Survey 2000 and 2005 New Homes Environment 361 new homes have been built in the Pewsey The chart below represents the number and Community Area over the period April 1996 to location of affordable homes provided within the April 2007, 55% have been within Pewsey Community Area Plan Issue: District of Kennet since April 2001. The number Parish. The largest development site to come Stewardship of the environment. Energy and location of affordable homes is closely forward within this period is the former Pewsey conservation. Waste management. related to housing allocations within the local Hospital site which has permission for 237 Preservation of the landscape. Ensure the plan. 119 affordable homes have been dwellings of which 139 are complete. The quality of the built environment, completed within Pewsey since 1997. The remaining Parishes within the community area greatest proportion of affordable homes within deliver comparatively smaller numbers of new Pewsey has come forward through the sites dwellings when compared to Pewsey Parish The Pewsey Community Area covers 22,144ha th allocated on the former hospital. ranging from 2 to 45 dwellings. and is the 7 largest Community area within the County. The North Wessex Downs Area of Tidworth Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Affordable Homes Provided since April 2001 As of April 2007 140 dwellings within the Marlborough 140 Devizes Pewsey Community Area have outstanding encompasses the entire northern half of the Pewsey 120 community area. In January 2004 a Management Others planning permission and 48 were under
100 construction. 41% of the outstanding dwellings Plan for the AONB was approved the Council of Partners which brought together the 11 80 are on the former Pewsey Hospital Phase II site. constituent authorities, nature conservation 60
No. of homes interests, historic environment interests, 40 Countryside Agency, farming and rural business 20 interests, community and parish interests and 0 recreation and tourism interests. 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 Year Figure 15: Affordable Homes built in Kennet since April There are 4 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in 2001 8 Source: KDC Housing Services Housing Land Supply Statement: Technical Appendices, the Pewsey Community Area. Kennet District Council, April 2007 9 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
SSSI sites • Pewsey Downs, 153ha (NNR) • Salisbury Plain supports the largest known • River Avon, 498ha expanse of unimproved chalk down land in • Salisbury Plain, 21438ha (SPA) North West Europe, and represents 41% of Britain’s remaining area of this rich wildlife National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are established to protect the important areas of wildlife habitat habitat. It forms large parts of the southern half of and geological formations in Britain, and as places for scientific research. the Area. • The River Avon and its tributaries are of national Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC and international importance for their wildlife Directive on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC). They are classified for rare and communities. The Avon is richer and more vulnerable birds, and for regularly occurring migratory species. varied than in most chalk streams with over 180 species of aquatic plant having been recorded, one of the most diverse fish faunas in Britain and a wide range of aquatic invertebrates. The Avon’s source is in the Area and flows through Pewsey. • Jone’s Mill is an area of fen vegetation, scrub and woodland lying along the headwaters of the Salisbury Avon north east of Pewsey. It represents the best known example of calcareous valley mire in Wiltshire. (This site is also a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve) • Pewsey Downs covers an extensive chalk download scarp which supports an extremely rich chalk grassland flora and an outstanding butterfly fauna. On the escarpment top is a small ancient oak-ah-maple wood with uncommon stand types.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are the best examples of our natural heritage of wildlife habitats, geological features and landforms. An SSSI is an area that has been notified as being of special interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The community area also contains three Special Areas of Figure 16: Community area with protected areas identified Conservation.
10 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
The number of independent Post Offices9 has Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 Conclusion: remained stable ranging from 1 to 2 across the Health Clinic 1 1 1 0 The Pewsey Community Area is home to a rich monitoring period although the number of linked Village Hall 15 18 19 19 and diverse natural and built environment. Post Offices has fallen considerably from 9 to 1 Professional Commercial 5 3 10 14 Polices should be developed to insure that across the same period. The number of general Services10 development enhances, rather than detracts food shops has also seen a significant decrease Journey to Work11 - 9 8 9 from the community areas local character and this is likely a reflection of modern shopping amenities. Polices should also seek to deliver habits and patterns i.e. the introduction of Voluntary Action Kennet (VAK) was the aims of management plans, designation supermarket shopping and consumers purchasing commissioned to undertake research into the statements and conservation statements. goods close to where they work. community facilities required in Pewsey (March 2005). The research identified a number of key Community and Culture Both village halls and professional commercial priorities including the improvement of existing services have seen a significant marked increase. sport facilities, improved meeting venues and the
The increase in village halls is perhaps a need for flexible community facilities and office a) Local facilities reflection of the Pewsey Community Areas active space for the voluntary and community sector. community spirit and identity. Community Area Plan Issue: Conclusion:
Lack of facilities. Lack of investment in Table 3: Summary of Facilities in Pewsey Voluntary and publicly supported
outdoor leisure/sport facilities and formal Community Area community facilities within the Pewsey
play space. Extra facilities needed for Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 Community Area have either increased or
education and learning. Insufficient meeting Primary School 12 8 7 7 remained constant. Polices will need to
room space. Pewsey sports centre – threat of PO Independant 1 2 1 2 adapt and change to the communities
closure. Rural communities with no access PO Linked 9 7 3 1 aspirations and needs in order to deliver
to primary medical services. General Food Shop 11 10 4 2 facilities appropriate to the community. Branch Library 1 1 1 1 Doctors Surgery 3 4 2 2 Since 1976, Wiltshire County Council has carried out a Rural Facilities Survey which records the range 9 In December 2007 the Post Office produced a ‘Network of local services available in villages across Wiltshire. Change Programme’ which detailed an area plan for The latest survey was carried out in 2005. Wiltshire. A number of post office branches are proposed for closure. Within Kennet these are at Erlestoke, Manningford Bruce and London Road, Marlborough. The A summary of the data for the community area branch at Avebury is to become an outreach service which shows considerable changes in the nature of may mean a mobile library service, a hosted service within a 10 This category includes all professional services including facilities provided. The number of Primary Schools shop or other community building or a partner service for solicitors, dentists, vets and chiropractors. 11 within the community area has dropped example with a pub landlord. All the remaining post offices Journey to Work Level 2 requires that one bus service within the Devizes Community Area are unaffected by the significantly by 58% between 1976 and 2005. departs between 7 and 9 in the morning and returns proposed changes. between 5 and 7 in the evening. The total travel time must not exceed one hour. 11 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
b) Social indicating greater deprivation: the most deprived local authority is indicated by a rank of 1. According to the 2004 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation, Kennet has an overall rank of 295
out of 354 local authorities. This places Kennet in the top 20% of least deprived local authorities. Household Tenure 2001 Owner Occupied Rented Social Rented Private 80% The chart below identifies the different census super output areas within Kennet. The darkest 70% shading indicates the most deprived areas in Kennet although none of these are in the bottom 25% 60%
50% of most deprived areas within England. The lightest shading indicates areas with the least 40% deprivation – areas within the top quartile of least deprived areas in England. Within the Pewsey 30% Community Area part The North of the Pewsey Ward and the Upavon Ward are some of the least 20%
10% deprived wards in the District. 0% Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trowbridge Melksham Calne Pewsey The map shows are aggregate scores based on individual assessments for income, employment, Figure 17: Household Tenure in Selected Market Towns, 2001 health, education, accessibility, crime and living environment. These subject based assessments do Source: 2001 Census show that 50% of super output areas in Kennet are in the bottom quartile for accessibility – a
particular rural issue. This reinforces data revealed in the Rural Facilities Survey. Census data 2001 shows that Pewsey has a comparative high percentage of rented private tenure at 17%. The percentage of households within private tenure represents the highest proportion compared to all of the settlements highlighted within figure 17. This could be a reflection of the high houses prices identified within Pewsey (see figure 13).
Pewsey represents a lower proportion of owner occupied tenure at 67% when compared to Chippenham, Trowbridge, Melksham and Calne. Marlborough has a similar percentage of owner occupied household tenure at 63%. The relative low proportion of owner occupied households could also be a reflection of the comparative high house prices observed within Pewsey.
Indices of Multiple Deprivation combine information relating to income, employment, education, health, skills and training, barriers to housing and services and crime into an overall measure of deprivation. From this Figure 18: Kennet Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2004) information a score is derived for each area; a low score
12 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Pewsey Community Area Profile
Interestingly, in relation to health. 75% of the the tourism / economic benefits from visitor community activity that will bring direct benefits super output areas in Kennet are within the top spend. to their health and well-being. quartile ie the best 25% in England. Since 2004 a review of health services within Kennet has The community area plan identifies some very There are 20 conservation areas within the taken place and it will be useful to compare specific projects the Broomcroft development community area (Chirton, Marden, Wilsford, more recent results. site is of particular relevance to the planning Alton, Woodborough, Hilcott, Charlton, Wilcot, process. Upavon, East Chisenbury, Enford, Fittleton and Conclusion: Haxton, Netheravon, Oare, Pewsey-Wilcot Pewsey has a lower proportion of owner The Broomcroft site presents an opportunity for Road, Pewsey, Fyfield, Wootton Rivers, Milton occupiers when compared to the majority of new residential development, integrated with Lilbourne, Easton Royal). Conservation areas are neighbouring settlements. Policies should leisure and retail uses close to and linked to the places of special architectural or historic interest seek to deliver an appropriate level of town centre. As part of a mixed use or deserve to receive careful protection. affordable housing and acknowledge the redevelopment scheme, opportunities will be social needs of those with lower incomes. taken to enhance the facilities provided by the The Pewsey Community Area also includes 98 Pewsey Heritage Centre. ancient monuments. Scheduled monuments are nationally important sites and monuments which c) Cultural / built environment Pewsey’s service centre regeneration is are given legal protection by being placed on a considered essential to improving the quality of list.
the community area’s cultural life. There is a
Planning Development Brief for the site. Kennet Community Area Plan Issue: Conclusion: District Council control access to it by virtue of Supporting Pewsey as a heritage village. The Community Areas potential as a cultural land ownership and expect to gain a sizeable Support for Arts and Crafts. Future of tourist destination remains largely plot of land for community use as well as monies Broomcroft road site. underplayed. Policies should aid and support from the sale of the capital asset. Ensuring the promotion of Pewsey as a heritage village appropriate development of the community land The cultural aspects within the Pewsey and tourist destination. is stated as a specific target in the Pewsey Community Area promote community spirit and Community Area Plan. identity. Many of these cultural events and opportunities are promoted and managed by King Alfred’s Trail is a proposed 14 kilometre voluntary groups and individuals. easy access walk centred on the village of
Pewsey and encompassing many scenic features The Pewsey Carnival has been an annual village of the Vale of Pewsey. This proposed facility will event since 1898 and attracts some 20,000 be built to recognised easy access standards and visitors annually from all over the country. will provide the opportunity for the Identified benefits of the carnival include the disadvantaged community of Wiltshire, the south cultural and heritage retention within the west, and potentially wider, to engage in a community, support of key local initiatives and
13
TIDWORTH COMMUNITY AREA PROFILE - SUMMARY
Context
• The Tidworth Community Area covers 12,267 hectares • The community area population in 2006 was 14,080 • The population age structure represents disproportionate percentage of people aged 20-29 when compared to Wiltshire. • Tidworth is the largest town with an estimated population of 8,290 in 2006 (including the military) • Population projections anticipate that the population in the community area will grow by around 12% between 2001 – 2016, whilst the population of working age is expected to grow by around 5%. • Average incomes in the community area were around £29,313 in 2005.
Planning issues to consider:
Housing • How to introduce an appropriate mix of housing to ensure affordability is improved in all sectors of the housing market. • How to provide more affordable housing to meet local need. Economy • How to encourage new premises for smaller business to support the local economy. • How to intensify, regenerate and improve job opportunities on existing employment sites including the Castledown Business Park. • How to create a choice of new local employment opportunities. • How to increase the viability and vitality of the retail service centres. Environment • How to protect the local environment • How to aid the objectives of plans and strategies related to Salisbury Plain. • How to encourage more sustainable forms of development. • How to encourage the Bourne Valley Scheme. Community • How to develop the identity of the community within Tidworth. • How to continue to support and build upon existing community initiatives. • How to improve the availability of community based meeting places. • How to encourage a balanced military / civilian population. Movement • How to maintain or improve existing levels of self containment for work. • How to improve levels of accessibility by public transport from rural areas to centres of local employment. • How to support the objectives of the community transport study.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
Strengths Opportunities A rich landscape and natural environment The development of local based industries and acknowledged for its national and international value. employment opportunities including starter units.
Road based journey to work patterns are largely self Development of the Castledown Business Park. contained within the community area. Opportunity to build on the investment of Tesco and Community projects brought forward/being developed attract a greater mix of retail outlets in Tidworth. through strong partnership working eg leisure centre, Develop the complementary roles of Tidworth and community resource centre, health centre, Castledown Ludgershall including local centres and employment Rural Academy, Bourne Valley Linear Park, starter units opportunities. at Castledown Business Park. Opportunities already identified to improve public An increasing economically active population. transport links and cycling/walking connections. Smaller market housing is more affordable in the Exploit and promote the rich environmental Tidworth Community Area than in other parts of characteristics of the community area to reverse Kennet. negative image of the area.
To provide more civilian housing including affordable housing.
Weaknesses Threats Lack of private housing including affordable market Limited availability of land for development and land housing. that is available owned by Ministry of Defence.
Increasing local housing need. Continued imbalance of the civilian population to the military. Rural/urban divide and predominant military population. Increased military deployment away from the community area for extended periods of time. Transport from rural areas to facilities is scarce and expensive. Increasing population will place a burden on existing infrastructure and facilities. Significant distance from wider retail choice. The need to provide more affordable housing could Limited retail offer within service centres of Tidworth constrain the supply of open market housing. and Ludgershall.
Lack of facilities for young people which are the predominate age group in the community.
Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Table 1: Community Area Population 2006 Vision: Area Population (Mid year est 2006) Over the next 30 years the vision is the continuing Kennet District 77,900 improvement of the living and working Devizes Community Area 30,920 environment to create a fair and vibrant Marlborough Community Area 22,220 Community Area and to encourage greater Tidworth Community Area 14,080 participation of residents in decisions that affect Pewsey Community Area 10,680 Source: Mid year population estimates WCC 2006 them (Tidworth Community Area Plan).
b) Population Projections Wiltshire County Council population projections anticipate that the population in the Tidworth CONTEXT community area will grow by around 12% between the periods 2001 to 2016 whilst the population of the economically active is expected to grow by around 5%. This total population The Tidworth Community Area covers 12,267 hectares growth represents a greater proportionate growth than Wiltshire as a whole (7%) and the of mainly rural countryside. The principal settlement of Chippenham community area (6%). The Pewsey and Marlborough community areas are expected Tidworth has an estimated population of 8,290* (WCC to grow by only 2% and 3% respectively and the working age population is expected to change by 2006, mid year population estimates) Ludgershall the 5% and 3% respectively. second largest settlement has an estimated population of 3,880 these settlements equate to 86% of the total This anticipated growth both of the population within the community area and more specifically community area population. The area is dominated by within the economically active is another reflection of the Army populous and the anticipated the presence of the Army being the largest local growth through the super garrison. employer. Tidworth, Netheravon and Salisbury Garrisons have now been designated as a ‘super garrison’. Marlborough Community Area Devizes Community Area Pewsey Community Area Tidworth Community Area
35000 *indicates a location where Armed Forces and their 30000 dependants are a majority of the population. 25000
20000
POPULATION Population 15000
10000 a) Latest Population Estimates 5000 The latest mid-year population estimate for the Tidworth
0 2001 2006 2011 2016 Community Area is 14,080. The Tidworth urban area Year comprises solely of the parish of Tidworth with a Figure 1: Population Projections 2001-2016 population of about 8,290* people. It is important to Source: WCC Population Projection, draft RSS based, May 2007 note that a large proportion of this population either serve or are dependents of the Armed Forces.
1 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
The anticipated increase in the working age high turnovers of households within the population needs to be set in the context that population the age structure of the armed forces Conclusion: total activity rates in Wiltshire as a whole is one personnel remain broadly static. The population age structure of the of the highest in the south west. 84% of the Tidworth community area is very different population here is economically active compared This is reflected within the population age from the other community areas within to 77% in Bath & North East Somerset and there structure below highlighting a disproportionate Kennet and the region. There is a far greater are very few people claiming unemployment percentage of people aged 20-29 when proportion in the 20-29 age range, because benefit (0.9% in Wiltshire compared to 1.3% in compared to Wiltshire as a whole. The latest of the high military population. Polices will the south west as a whole)1 population estimates from Wiltshire County need to consider the impact on local Council estimate a population of some 2,250 facilities and services a young and active within barracks. population will bring. Conclusion: 30.00 The Tidworth community area population is expected to increase at a greater rate than 25.00 Economy Wiltshire as a whole. A growing population 20.00 places additional burden on existing Tidworth infrastructure which must be recognised. % 15.00 Wiltshire a) Jobs 10.00
5.00 c) Age Structure Community Area Plan issues: 0.00 Develop Castledown Business Park to 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-44 45-59 60-74 75+ Age provide jobs and facilities for local people. Figure 2: Comparison of Population Age Groups in Community Area Plan issues: The need to provide starter units and other Tidworth CA Continued imbalance of civilian population work places to create employment
to the military. Lack of facilities for all age opportunities for all. It is important to therefore recognise that the groups. presence of the armed forces creates an
unbalanced age structure which is not reflective Figure 3 highlights the sectors of employment The Army population residing within the of the civilian population. within the community area. A significant community area (principally within the Town of proportion of the population are employed Tidworth) is reflected within the population age within the ‘public administration and defence’ structure (see figure 2). The armed forces sector, (40%), this is not surprising due to the household population structure does not presence of the substantial infantry barracks correspond in the same way to the civilian within the community area. population. Although there are comparatively Other significant figures include the ‘agricultural sector’ where only 2% are employed compared 1 South West Observatory Labour Market Review, October to 6%, 5% and 4% within Pewsey, Marlborough 2007, Figs 2 & 9 2 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile and Devizes respectively. Employment statistics for the south west from the South West Within the selected Wiltshire towns Tidworth has the Observatory indicate that overall there has been a decline in agricultural employment of 3% in the greatest concentration of businesses that employ 200 period 1998-2005 and that the rate of decline is expected to accelerate in coming years. The or more people at around 1.4%, this reflects the sector of ‘real estate, renting and business activities’ is also underrepresented at 8% compared with armed forces and their ancillary employees. Marlborough 16%, Pewsey 15% and Devizes 12%. Businesses with less than 6 employees account for about 64% this is comparable to both Devizes and Other Agriculture; hunting; forestry Chippenham. 4% 2% Manufacturing % Business% Business with with> 200 >200 employees employess 2003 2003 9% Health and social work 1.6 6% 1.4
1.2 Education Construction 4% 1 5% 0.8 0.6 0.4 Wholesale and retail trade; repair 0.2 of motor vehicles
12% 0 South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth
Figure 4: Percentage of Businesses >200 employees in Selected Wiltshire Towns, 2003 Hotels and catering Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2003, Settlement 3% Functionality Assessment for RSS Transport storage and Public administration and defence % Business with <6 employess 2003 communication 40% 76 4% 74 Financial Intermediation 72 3% 70 Real estate; renting and business 68 activities 66 8% 64 Figure 3: Sectors of Employment, 2001 62 Source: 2001 Census 60 58 South West Chippenham Trow bridge Devizes Marlborough Tidw orth
Figure 5: Percentage of Businesses <6 Employees in Selected Wiltshire Towns, 2003 Source: Annual Business Inquiry Workspace Analysis 2003, Settlement Functionality Assessment for RSS
3 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Figures 4 and 5 emphasise the reliance on the MoD for employment. The c) Employment Land Tidworth Community Area Strategic Action Plan has identified the provision of starter units at the Castledown Business Park as a priority project. The plan recognises that the development of a thriving economy and the provision of Community Area Plan issues: local , non-military employment is essential. There are very few starter units Lobby for release of land for building starter units and other business in the community area and they are fully occupied (eg former British Legion premises. Re-use of brownfield sites where possible, including under- units). The introduction of a more varied, small business economy could used agricultural buildings. begin to address the current reliance on the MoD for work.
Conclusion: The study of the Kennet Economy prepared by Atkins3 identified a number of
Polices should encourage employment opportunities in the area to key employment locations in the community area, These are listed in table 2.
provide local jobs for the labour force. Planning polices should build
upon existing initiatives to provide starter units and other small Table 2: Employment Areas in Tidworth CA
business premises. Site Atkins comments in 2006 Proposed
Employment Status
British Legion, Small incubator units, Tidworth Strategic b) Income Bourne Road, College and Conference Centre. employment site Tidworth Incubator units, 1 storey and in suitable for small and The Kennet Housing Needs Survey in 2005 estimated that the Tidworth reasonable condition (fairly old). medium enterprise community area has the lowest average income (including non-housing College in good condition, 2/3 benefits) of £29,313 per annum of the Kennet community areas. 2 This storey, well maintained and compares to 30,324 per annum in the Devizes community area and £37,380 reasonable new building. Plenty of per annum in Marlborough. In 2007 the average price for a flat in the car parking for existing use. community area was approximately £109,000 and a terraced house was Castledown Former MoD land, surplus to Strategic approximately £164,000. These are 3.5 to 5.5 times greater than average Business Park, requirements. Planning conditions employment site incomes. Ludgershall ensure only 6.5ha can be brought capable of meeting forward before 2011, with a future needs Conclusion: further 6.74ha to 2016. Nothing Housing policies need to provide open market homes to a size and has been brought forward so far. value appropriate to local incomes. Currently only the smallest homes Owned by St Modwen. Potential are affordable. for rail freight. Development expected to commence Spring 2006. MSA Depot, Recently released former MoD Strategic
2 Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research Ltd, June 2006, Figure 6.5 3 Kennet Economy Study, Atkins, August 2006 4 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Site Atkins comments in 2006 Proposed Site Atkins comments in 2006 Proposed Employment Status Employment Status Ludgershall Medical Depot, currently being employment site Bourne Site is of fair quality and fit for Locally important marketed by Defence which could Works, purposes. There are some untidy employment location Estates/Drivas Jonas. Potential for a accommodate some Collingbourne areas, although the site is self providing scope for range of uses including mixed use Ducis contained and well screened from expansion or residential/retail/employment. development surrounding land uses. Area of intensification. Andover Coach depot to the rear of Suitable for non vacant/underutilised land and barn Road, shopping parade on Andover employment to rear of site may provide scope Ludgershall Road. At risk from housing. development for further intensification of uses.
Courage General Industrial - Property in Suitable for non The Atkins Study of the Kennet Economy has analysed employment prospects Depot. fairly poor condition, outdoor employment throughout the district and the supply/suitability of existing employment sites. storage. BMG (concrete, garden development They have recommended that no new additional employment land is needed and landscaping services) and AG in the district. Instead the focus of future employment policies should be how + G (Timber Merchants) - 2 to use more effectively land already in employment use. This is particularly portacabins used as offices and relevant in the Tidworth Community Area where the MOD may release land one timber barn used for currently in forms of employment use unexpectedly, for example the MSA materials. Fair to poor quality Depot and potentially the vehicle depot. buildings, but adequate for use. Parcel to south currently in In the past, Devizes has been the main focus for employment development in industrial use has outstanding Kennet. Over 31 hectares of employment land has been developed there permission for housing. since April 2001 and there is very little new employment land remaining to Ludgershall Small scale employment area Locally important be developed. With the release of 12 hectares of land in Ludgershall this Business Park outside of development boundary. employment location emphasis is likely to shift. Castledown Business Park is being developed by St Poor access, however appears to Modwen Properties plc. Basic infrastructure to access the site and provide be functioning well. basic utilities is now complete. Phase One (Fitz Gilbert Court) is progressing Garlands Well occupied industrial estate on Locally important well and plans for Phase Two are being developed. Phase Two will comprise Trading Estate, edge of Collingbourne Ducis employment location 8 larger warehouse/industrial units to be built speculatively. The success of Collingbourne comprising a number of general the Castledown Business Park is central to the fundamental aim to redress the Ducis industrial units in good condition. existing imbalance in civilian and military employment. Little scope for change.
5 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
The decline during this period was partly due to In Tidworth, since the 2006 survey, Tesco’s have Conclusion: the conversion of three retail units in Andover built a new 4,849 sqm store on land reserved to Devizes has historically been the main focus Road to a doctor’s surgery, which served to improve the retail offer at Station Road. of employment development in Kennet. extend the range of uses in the village centre but 1994/5 However, the majority of available reduced the number of retail units. From 2002 to 400000 2006 employment land in the District is now in 2006 the number of units has remained stable 350000 Ludgershall. Polices will need to continue to however there has been a decrease in retail 300000 250000 support the development of the Castledown floorspace. The reduction in retail floorspace is 200000 Business Park. due the conversion of long term vacant units in 150000 100000 Station Approach to housing. The actual number 50000 of units has remained reasonably stable mainly 0 h l d) Town Centre ey th al am s oug h idge or sh due to the old EE Roy unit in the High Street evizes Calne dw D elks Pew Ti rowbr M T being converted into four new retail units. Marlbor Chippenham Ludger
Community Area Plan issues: Figure 6: Total Floorspace (sqft) in Selected Market 4 Attract more shops to the retail centres in Figures 6-8 are based on Wiltshire County Towns Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team Tidworth and Ludgershall, including Council data and provide a comparison of the
nationwide High Street names. retail floorspace in Devizes, Marlborough, Calne, 100% Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Pewsey, 90%
Ludgershall and Tidworth. Both Ludgershall and 80% Ludgershall has the smallest retail centre of the 70% Tidworth show a high proportion of convenience 60% selected towns within figure 6. Tidworth also has goods retail space compared to the other 50% a comparatively small retail centre only slightly 40% selected market towns within the region. This 30% larger than Pewsey and Ludgershall. Tidworth has high proportion of retail goods services emphasis 20% seen a 49% increase in retail floor space between 10% the current role of both Ludgershall and 0% 1994 and 2006 bringing the estimated floorspace Devizes Marlborough Calne Chippenham Melksham Trowbridge Pewsey Tidworth Ludgershall Tidworth as local service centres with little to 32,180 square feet. The biggest increase has diversification of their retail offer. Convenience goods Clothing & Footwear Household Other Non Food Vacant been within convenience goods retail floor space Figure 7: Type of Floorspace in Selected Market Towns, which has seen an increase of 49% since 1994. A good indication of the health of a town centre 2006 This growth has been predominately within the Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team is the number of vacant units. Both Tidworth and grocery trade and the establishment of the Lidl Ludgershall stand out as having very high store which resulted in the floorspace almost vacancy rates when compared to the selected doubling within the period 2002 to 2004. towns at 11% and 15% respectively. This
compares to vacancy rates within Devizes 4%, In Ludgershall there has been a decline of 9 retail Marlborough 1% and Pewsey 6%. units from 1997 to 2006 leading to a loss of some 35% of the retail floorspace. The majority 4 For Devizes, Calne, Chippenham, Melksham and of these (7) took place between 1997 to 2002. Trowbridge data was collected in 1994. For Marlborough the earliest data is 1995. 6 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Ludgershall commitment to Tidworth has been demonstrated percentages represent the journeys to and from Tidworth with the completion of their new store in the towns and community areas highlighted Pewsey December 2007. within figure 11. Trowbridge Some key points arising form the data are: Melksham
Chippenham Interestingly, qualitative information gathered at • There is a significant outward commuting Calne a stakeholder meeting in Tidworth during the rate from Tidworth town, Ludgershall Marlborough Issues Consultation for the Core Strategy in town and the remainder of the Devizes March/April 2007 also highlighted the need to community area to Andover town -40% -30% -20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% develop the complementary roles of Tidworth accounting for some 22% of the road Figure 8: Change in Retail Floorspace in Selected Market and Ludgershall. 7 based travel to work journeys. Towns Source: Wiltshire County Council Strategic Planning Team • 70% of journeys are contained within the Conclusion: community area suggesting a high Tidworth Community Area Strategic Action Plan Tidworth and Ludgershall each act as proportion of self containment. identified as one of its priority projects as a valuable service centres. However, each is in • Journeys to other destinations within ’Retail Development Strategy’ for the community need of additional investment to increase Kennet and Wiltshire are not significant. area. This was in response to the need to their vitality and viability. Planning policies strengthen the roles of Tidworth and Ludgershall should seek to develop their complementary recommended in the Economic Development roles and, in particular, build on the success Strategy.5 This work has now been completed. of Tesco in Tidworth. The recommendations of the report are designed to provide a ‘heart’ to Tidworth and to develop Ludgershall’s complementary yet distinct retail Movements centre. 6 The report demonstrates where the principal categories of demand lie in the a) Travel to Work Tidworth community area footprint to allow a very focused retail offering to be made, with a Community Area Plan issues: high degree of potential for success. The report Poor levels of public transport within the also recognises the importance of the confidence community area and neighbouring towns. that Tesco have demonstrated in the strength of the present and particularly the future market. Without this commitment, the regeneration of Figure 9 represents journey to work patterns for the TCA as described would be unlikely to road based journeys to and from the Tidworth succeed. As mentioned earlier, Tesco’s Community Area and from Tidworth Town. The
5 TDT Economic Development Strategy 7 Core Strategy Issues Raising Consultation – Statement of 6 Bournemouth University Retail Research Group, Retail Community Engagement, Kennet District Council, October Strategy For Tidworth Community Area, 2006 2007. 7 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
b) Accessibility
Community Area Plan issues: Rural / urban divide. Distance from wider retail choice. Lack of pedestrian and cycle permeability and linkages within the towns of Ludgershall and Tidworth. Transport from rural areas to facilities is scarce and expensive.
Access to the motorway system is at junctions 15 on the M4, about 40 minutes drive to the north and about 30 minutes east to the M3 via the A303 just south of Tidworth. The road network in the community area is made up mainly of A and C-class roads. The A338/A346 runs through the community area north-south from Salisbury to Marlborough and Swindon. The A342 runs from Andover to Devizes. The A303 passes close to the south of the community area and makes an important link to London (via the M3) and the south west. Within the community area C-roads connect the villages to each Figure 9: Journey To Work Patterns Tidworth CA, 2001 other. The significant proportion of road based travel to work journeys take place internally within the community area and to Andover. These two elements account for 92% of all road based travel to Journey times from Tidworth to the nearest main work journeys within the community area. It is also noticeable that the travel to work patterns towns by car are as follows: suggests no significant inward commuting relationship with neighbouring towns or community Journey Distance Approx. areas. journey time Tidworth to Andover 9.7mi 20min Conclusion: Tidworth to 14.1mi 25min Tidworth and Ludgershall show a strong outward commuting pattern to the town of Marlborough Andover. The community area also has a significant proportion of internal journeys. Tidworth to Salisbury 15.3mi 20min Polices should seek to improve levels of self containment and seek to adjust the Tidworth to Swindon 26.4mi 40min Source: Profile of Tidworth CA and its Villages, A Community Fit for Our imbalance of outward commuting patterns. Children, Wiltshire County Council, 2003
8 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Journey times from Tidworth to the nearest Everleigh8 amongst others). Several other HOUSING main towns by public transport are as follows: locations were identified as requiring upgraded
footway / cycleways, improved crossing facilities Journey Distance Approx. and street lighting. Generally, a safe network of a) Open Market journey time footways and cycleways were needed in the Tidworth to 9.7mi 35min community area. Community Area Plan issues: Andover Tidworth to 14.1mi 67min Release of land for housing The Walking and Cycling strategy aims to Marlborough
Tidworth to 15.3mi 45min enhance the attractiveness of less Salisbury environmentally damaging forms of transport Housing Market Tidworth to 26.4mi No direct especially walking and cycling to replace short The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the whole Swindon service car trips. The development of a walking and of Kennet as within the Swindon Housing Market Source: Profile of Tidworth CA and it Villages, A Community Fit for cycling network could include improvements Area. As a consequence Swindon Borough Our Children, Wiltshire County Council such as additional pedestrian crossing facilities, Council, North Wiltshire District Council and
improved footpath condition, improved street Kennet District Council jointly commissioned a The journey time tables highlight that journey lighting, improved cycle links and additional Housing Market Assessment for the Swindon times by car to Andover, Marlborough and 9 cycle parking. area in 2006 . The study recognised that Salisbury are all within 25 minutes. When Swindon has some influence on the housing compared to public transport times the most market in Kennet but that the distance of striking difference is found within the journey Conclusion: Tidworth from Swindon meant the Swindon time to Marlborough which takes 42 minutes Planning Policies should support and aid the housing market had little impact. Tidworth is not longer than car. The journey time to Andover is implementation of the recommendations of considered to fall within the Salsibury housing similar taking just 10 minutes longer by public the community area Transport Study. Policies market area either. Although little research has transport, this reflects the strong outward journey should seek to enhance the attractiveness of been done the travel to work data suggests that to work pattern from the Tidworth community less environmentally damaging forms of there is a much stronger relationship between area to this centre. transport and increase the permeability of Tidowrth/Ludgershall and Andover.
service centres, through the improvement of The Tidworth Community Area Transport the pedestrian and cycle network. Strategy 2006 identifies a number of specific transport problems within the community area. The lack of direct public transport from the community villages to Andover and the lack of convenient services at weekends and in the evenings are seen as an issue. A number of locations were identified that it was felt required 8 The Tidworth Community Area Strategic Action Plan has new footways (Kennet Road, Wylye Road, identified a new footpath in Everleigh as one of its priority Tidworth cemetery, Collingbourne Kinston, projects. 9 Swindon Housing Market Assessment, DTZ, August 2006 9 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
House Prices house prices in Devizes since Jul/Sep 2006 houses prices in these two community areas have The chart below highlights that average house prices for converged (see Figure 11). Clearly at this small area level average house prices can be heavily flats, terraces and semi detached homes in the Tidworth affected by the number and type of properties sold each month. Community Area are lower than the rest of Kennet, Marlborough CA Pew s ey CA Devizes CA Tidw orth CA 500000 £400,000 Detached Semi Terraced Flat Wiltshire and the South West. In relation to detached 450000 £350,000 properties the average of those sold in the Tidworth 400000 £300,000 350000 community area were more expensive than each of the 300000 £250,000 250000 other comparators. This may be due to scarcity and the £200,000 200000 Average Price attractive countryside outside of the two main £150,000 150000 settlements of Tidworth and Ludgershall. It does mean £100,000 100000 6 6 7 7 50000 05 0 0 0 07 c c r 0 e e a M l/Sep / /Jun l/Sep that there is a dramatic jump for those needing larger t/D u t/D n 0 c c a u Jul/Sept 05 O Jan/Mar 06 Apr/Jun 06 J QuarterO J Apr J family homes or simply wanting to move higher up the Marlborough Devizes Chippenham Trowbridge Melksham Calne Figure 11: Average House Prices in Kennet Figure 12: Average House Prices in Selected Market housing ladder. Source: Land Registry post code data Towns, 2007 Source: Source: Draft Wiltshire Housing Market Review for The Housing Market Area Assessment highlighted that the house price to income ratio has been consistently A more recent analysis of house price trends as part of a Strategic Housing Land Availability higher in Kennet than the South West region. (Houses in Assessment in 2007 looked at house prices in a number of market towns in Wiltshire. Comparable Kennet are 8 – 9 times higher than lower quartile data for the Tidworth Community Area revealed that the community area had a similar market price earnings.) profile to Trowbridge, Melksham and Calne in relation to flats, terraced homes and semi-detached homes but that detached houses were being sold at prices above the average for Marlborough. Re- Tidworth Kennet South West Wiltshire emphasising the price differential within the Tidworth housing market. £600,000
£500,000 Table 3: Average House Prices in Selected Areas, 2007 £400,000 Detached Semi Terraced Flat £300,000 Marlborough SN8 £470,522.00 £ 289,569.00 £ 269,423.00 £ 214,954.00
£200,000 Devizes SN10 £332,710.00 £ 205,173.00 £ 192,542.00 £ 160,963.00 SN14, £100,000 Chippenham SN15 £339,187.00 £ 208,508.00 £ 177,934.00 £ 133,392.00 £0 Flats/maisonettes Terraced Semis Detached Trowbridge BA14 £261,762.00 £ 178,195.00 £ 154,086.00 £ 114,013.00 Melksham SN12 £276,515.00 £ 179,753.00 £ 148,324.00 £ 116,805.00 Figure 10: Average House Prices by Type, Oct-Dec 2006 Calne SN11 £279,005.00 £ 167,825.00 £ 158,326.00 £ 111,752.00 Source: Land Registry/Joseph Rowntree Foundation via Wiltshire & Swindon Intelligence Network. SP9, Tidworth SP11 £553,449.00 £ 190,891.00 £ 163,842.00 £ 109,050.00 Within Kennet, data from the Land Registry using post Source: Land Registry. KDC Housing Services code areas as a basis, reveals that house prices in the Tidworth Community Area are consistently lower than in Marlborough or Pewsey. Although initially lower than
10 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
and there is a site with outstanding permission at submit a planning application. This should Conclusion: Cadley Road for a further 25 homes. introduce much needed open market housing to Houses in the Tidworth Community Area are the town. However, given the key objective for generally less expensive than the rest of Kennet At April 2007 around 240 homes have planning the Tidworth/Ludgershall area to create a more in all but the detached market. Planning permission and have yet to be built in the balanced community by providing more open policies need to consider how to introduce an community area. market homes the need for further land should appropriate mix of housing to the market to be considered as the number of open market ensure affordability is improved in all sectors The data shows that the majority of housing homes on this site is far exceeded by the number of the housing market. growth in Ludgershall has been on allocated of married quarters. The net affect on the housing sites (Princess Mary Gardens was an community would be to reinforce the differential allocation of the old Ludgershall & Tidworth between civilian and military. New Homes10 Local Plan). The current local plan has released 520 new homes have been built in the Tidworth further land for 130 homes at Granby Garden Community Area over the period April 1996- Centre to continue past trends. A planning brief Conclusion: April 2007. (This excludes homes built by the for the site has been approved and the Council New housing in Ludgershall has come forward MoD as replacement married quarters on the are currently in preliminary negotiations in largely on allocated housing sites. Elsewhere in Australian Estates at Perham Down. These are relation to a planning application. the community area new homes have come excluded because they are only released to forward on a piecemeal basis. Given a military personnel and not available on the open In contrast, in Tidworth, housing has come principle objective for the community area is market.) 61% of the market homes built in the forward on a piecemeal basis. The last housing to create a more balanced military/civilian community area were built within Ludgershall allocation to be developed was at North Manor population, planning policies need to consider and 28% in Tidworth. Of those homes built in but this was completed over 10 years ago. how more land can be released for housing to Ludgershall the largest developments were the Housing allocations in the current local plan have meet community aspirations. later phases of Princess Mary Gardens (133 been slow to come forward. In particular the site homes) and Roberts Road (225 new homes some at Pennings Road which has been identified for Household Tenure of which replaced existing dwellings). In many years as a suitable site for housing of some Data from the 2001 Census shows that there a Tidworth, the largest sites were developments at kind. The Tidworth Community Area Partnership significantly fewer owner occupiers in Tidworth Ordnance Road (24 homes) and Gason Hill (17 also identify this development as a priority (27%) compared to other market towns in homes). Another development at Zouch Farm project. In the last few months Bloor Homes Wiltshire, for example Devizes (67%), Melksham Road of 22 homes was under construction in have finally begun development on site for 28 (75%) and Trowbridge (75%). Table 3, shows April 2007. homes. that the average price of a terraced house in Tidworth was around £164,000 in 2007. For In the villages only Collingbourne Ducis has seen The largest allocation is the North East Quadrant comparison the average price for a terraced any significant housing growth (37 homes built) where 150 open market homes have been house in Melksham was about £148,000 and in proposed with 350 married quarters. A great Trowbridge £154,000. This demonstrates that 10 Housing Land Supply Statement: Technical Appendices, deal of research and assessment of the site has although Tidworth is one of the more affordable Kennet District Council, April 2007 already taken place and the MoD is preparing to housing areas within Kennet there are fewer 11 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile residents choosing to purchase their own home. The adopted Kennet Local Plan 2011 includes in Instead the MOD are furnishing military Policy HC28 a requirement that all housing sites personnel with married quarters which is involving 25 homes or more in Tidworth should evidenced by the fact that 33% of homes are in provide 50% of those homes as affordable the other tenure category which includes tied housing. In the rural area a ‘one for one’ policy accommodation. is in force. This level of need was justified through a Housing Needs Survey carried out in 11 Owner Occupied Rented Social Rented Private Other 80% 2000. In relation to Tidworth the 2000 HNS 70% revealed an annual need of 55 homes whilst the 60% 2005 HNS shows a significantly increased annual 50%
40% need of 195. 30% 20% 250 2000 10% 2005 0% 195 200 Figure 15: Typical Levels of Need for New Affordable Marlborough Devizes Tidworth Ludgershall Pewsey 175 Housing Figure 13: Household Tenure in Kennet’s Main 150 Source: Kennet Housing Needs Survey 2005, Fordham Research 110 Settlements, 2001 100 100 Source: 2001 Census
No. of homes of No. Over the period April 2001 – April 2007, only 55 49 36 50 26 one site has received planning permission for 25
Conclusion: 0 homes (the policy threshold) – Cadley Road in There are significantly fewer owner occupiers Marlborough Tidworth Pewsey Devizes Collingbourne Ducis. Some sites, permitted in Tidworth than elsewhere in Kennet and Community Area before April 2001, have been built providing other market towns in Wiltshire. Policies some affordable homes. Overall 132 affordable Figure 14: Annual Housing Needs Survey should seek to introduce more affordable Source: KDC Housing Needs Survey 2000 and 2005 homes been built in the community since April market homes to encourage military 2001, noticeably towards the beginning of this personnel to choose to invest in their own It is important to set the context for housing need period when the Sarsen Housing Association home. in the District. The chart below gives an scheme at Roberts Road in Ludgershall was being indication of the relative need in Kennet completed. Taking the result of the 2000 compared to other Districts and the UK. 454 Housing Needs Survey this equates to only 41% b) Affordable Housing affordable homes per year in Kennet is great in of the perceived need (55 per year for 6 years). absolute terms but in relative terms Kennet’s It is not surprising that the latest housing needs need is below the south-west and UK average.12 survey has identified higher levels of housing Community Area Plan issues: need by 2005. The provision of affordable homes in a mix 11 of styles. Kennet District Council Housing Needs and Condition Survey 2001, Fordham Research Limited 12 The data in Figure 19 is based on research by Fordham Research 12 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
140 Tidworth Marlborough Devizes Pewsey Others interests. In seeking to achieve a 20 year vision 120 Conclusion: for the AONB 52 objectives have been set Local need for affordable housing has 100 grouped in 14 themes. increased in the Tidworth Community Area 80 since 2001 to 195 homes per year. To date Table 4: Themes for the North Wessex Downs 60 No. of homes affordable homes have been delivered at an AONB 40 average rate of 22 homes per year since April Theme Title No. of 20 2001. Planning policies need to address how Objectives 0 to increase the provision of affordable homes 1 Conserving And Enhancing 4 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 to meet local needs whilst also acknowledging The Landscape Character Figure 16: Affordable homes delivered in Kennet since local aspirations for more home ownership in And Diversity April 2001 the community area. Source: KDC Housing Services 2 Celebrating The Past 3 3 Conserving Remoteness 4 Devizes has been the focus of new housing for And Tranquility the whole District in recent years which is why ENVIRONMENT 4 Increasing Biodiversity 6 5 Sustaining Natural 4 reasonable levels of affordable housing have Resources been provided there following in the wake of 6 Land-Based Economy As 5 specific large housing allocations. The rate of Community Area Plan issues: Custodian Of The delivery in the Tidworth Community Area should Ensure that development takes place in a Landscape increase once existing housing allocations at manner that enhances, rather than spoils the 7 Promoting A Low Carbon 3 Granby Gardens in Ludgershall and North-East environment. Enhance the environment of the Economy Quadrant in Tidworth come forward. However, River Bourne. Respect and support the AONB. 8 Enjoyment As An 3 it is unlikely that these two sites alone will bring Economic Driver levels of affordable housing forward in sufficient 9 Diversifying Economic 3 quantities to meet identified local housing need. The Tidworth Community Area extends to Opportunities 12,267 hectares one of the smaller community 10 Developing Appropriate 2 Different needs for affordable housing were areas in the county. The north and eastern parts Skills For The Future identified within the community area. Tidworth of the community area are within the North 11 Supporting Vibrant 5 in particular has a high demand for low cost Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Communities housing and shared ownership whereas Beauty. In January 2004 a Management Plan for 12 Encouraging Sustainable 3 Ludgershall has a greater demand for rented the AONB was approved by the Council of Travel accommodation. The rural areas represent a Partners which brought together 11 constituent 13 Establishing Common 5 more mixed need across the various types of authorities, nature conservation interests, historic Understanding tenure. environment interests, Countryside Agency, 14 Maintaining Productive 2 farming and rural business interests, community Partnerships and parish interests and recreation and tourism
13 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
With three different designations covering part of Salisbury Plain it is an important area for wildlife string of rough cut emeralds’. 13 It involves creating protection. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of community nature reserves, managing existing open Conservation. It is believed to be the largest surviving semi-natural dry grassland within the EU spaces, improving access to the river and enhancing the and is therefore the most important site for this habitat in the UK. The Special Protection Area environment of the river. designation is to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds. Conclusion: It should be noted that In October 2005 a European Court of Justice ruling directed that major The wildlife and landscape of Salisbury Plain is a development should be subject to Appropriate Assessment (AA) of their implications for designated valuable asset to the community area which should European wildlife Sites. SPAs and SACs are European designations. The purpose of AA is to assess be protected from the direct and indirect the impacts of a proposal against the conservation objectives of a European site and to ascertain consequences of development. Planning policies whether it would adversely affect the integrity of that site. Where significant negative effects are should support, wherever possible, the Bourne identified, alternative options should be examined to avoid any potential damaging effects. Valley Scheme to bring communities together. Because of the proximity of Tidworth and Ludgershall to this European designation appropriate assessment may be required for certain development to ensure the integrity of Salisbury Plain is not affected. COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
a) Facilities
Community Area Plan issues: Provide a new multi-purpose Community Resource Centre to house key services to serve the community area based in Tidworth and support the existence of multi-use community centres/village halls/meeting places throughout the community area.
Since 1976, Wiltshire County Council has carried out a Rural Facilities Survey which records the range of local services available in villages across Wiltshire. The latest survey was carried out in 2005. A summary of the data Figure 17: Tidworth community area with protected areas identified at a district level shows considerable changes in the nature of facilities provided. Many of the services that The River Bourne Valley is a priority project in the Tidworth Community Area Strategic Action are provided by or subsidised by a public body have Plan. The River Bourne flows through the community area from north to south linking several remained consistent – libraries, primary schools and settlements. A scoping report for a Bourne Valley Linear Park considered ‘the Bourne Valley Linear Park ecology network brings together small scale ecology projects dotted along the river valley like a 13 The Bourne Valley Linear Park Scoping Report, April 2006 14 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile doctors. Others, where private finance is required Table 5: Summary of Facilities in Tidworth shop for community services within the have declined, for example post offices, general Community Area community area. Feasibility work has already food shops, specialist shops and petrol stations. Facility 1976 1986 1994 2005 been carried out and Tidworth Town Council has Public agreed in principle that the new Community Facilities that have been improved over the period Funding Resource Centre can be located on the site of since 1976 are village halls and professional Primary 4 1 1 1 the current community centre. It is hoped that a commercial services. The growth in professional School planning application for the scheme will be services perhaps reflects the nature of residents in Branch 0 0 0 0 submitted shortly. the rural parts of the community area who are Library active in the community and are looking for Doctors 0 1 0 0 Tidworth and Ludgershall clearly dominate the professional services close to home in contrast to Surgery community area. Collingbourne Ducis is the their daily shopping habits which are focused on Private only other centre that provides a basic range of where they work rather than live. Funding services. It contains what Wiltshire County PO 1 2 1 0 Council class as the four basic facilities – primary The Tidworth Community Area, unlike other Independent school, general food shop, post office17 and community areas in the district, does not follow this PO Linked 3 2 2 1 journey to work bus service as well as additional pattern. Unlike other community areas Tidworth General Food 4 3 2 1 facilities such as a pub, church, community hall has two service centres – Tidworth and Ludgershall. Shop and recreation field. Interestingly it is also the Only 12.7% of residents of the community area live Petrol 2 1 1 1 only village that has experienced any noticeable in the rural areas outside Tidworth and Ludgershall Stations housing growth since 1996 with 37 new homes and very few services and facilities are provided Journey to 0 2 3 14 outside these two settlements. For example there is Work now only one primary school outside Tidworth and Village Hall 3 2 2 2 16 Tidworth Community Area Strategic Action Plan Ludgershall in Collingbourne Ducis and there are Professional 0 0 5 5 prepared by the Tidworth Community Area no doctor’s surgeries or health clinics outside Commercial Partnership in 2007. 15 Tidworth and Ludgershall. Services 17 In December 2007 the Post Office produced a Source: Rural Facilities Survey 2005, Wiltshire County Council ‘Network Change Programme’ which detailed an area In the villages the 2005 Rural Facilities Survey plan for Wiltshire. A number of post office branches identified only one general food store, again in A priority project in the Tidworth Community are proposed for closure. Within Kennet these are at 16 Collingbourne Ducis, and not all communities have Area Strategic Action Plan is to build a one stop Erlestoke, Manningford Bruce and London Road, a village hall. For example Everleigh and Lower Marlborough. The branch at Avebury is to become an Chute have no village hall. In fact the availability of outreach service which may mean a mobile library service, a hosted service within a shop or other village halls has declined since 1976. It is this lack 14 Journey to Work Level 2 requires that one bus service community building or a partner service for example of meeting places outside of Ludgershall and departs between 7 and 9 in the morning and returns with a pub landlord. All the remaining post offices Tidworth that has generated the community plan between 5 and 7 in the evening. The total travel time must not exceed one hour. within the Devizes Community Area are unaffected objective to support the existence of multi-use 15 This category includes all professional services including by the proposed changes. meeting places throughout the community area solicitors, dentists, vets and chiropractors. 15 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile provided and there is an employment base at Bourne c) Social Works and Garlands Trading Estate
A settlement hierarchy within the community area is, Community Area Plan issues: however, evolving from the information available: Supporting a healthy lifestyle
• Ludgershall and Tidworth with their core services Indices of Multiple Deprivation combine information relating to income, employment, education, – convenience shopping, health services, health, skills and training, barriers to housing and services and crime into an overall measure of education, jobs. deprivation. From this information a score is derived for each area; a low score indicating greater
deprivation: the most deprived local authority is indicated by a rank of 1. According to the 2004 • Collingbourne Ducis which has a range of English Indices of Multiple Deprivation, Kennet has an overall rank of 295 out of 354 local community facilities including the four core authorities. This places Kennet in the top 20% of least deprived local authorities. services of a primary school, post office, general
food shop and journey to work bus service. It Figure 18 identifies the different census super output areas (SOAs) within Kennet. The darkest also has an employment base shading indicates the most deprived areas in Kennet although none of these are in the bottom 25%
of most deprived areas within England. The lightest shading indicates areas with the least • Remaining villages with few community facilities. deprivation – areas within the top quartile of least deprived areas in England. Within the Tidworth Community Area the Tidworth north-east super output area is identified as one of the more The roles of Tidworth and Ludgershall as the main deprived areas of Kennet. service centres for the community area has already been discussed in relation to the recommendations of the Retail Development Strategy prepared by Bournemouth University as has the need for theses centres to develop complementary roles. How to build upon existing plans and strategies written by the community will be a key task for future spatial planning policies.
Conclusion: Planning policies need to build upon existing plans and strategies written by the community to improve the availability of meeting places and develop the complementary roles of Tidworth and Ludgershall. The role of Collingbourne Ducis as a village service centre should also be Figure 18: Kennet Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2004) addressed. 16 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Deprivation is a relative concept. The map Interestingly the more detailed analysis identified The Tidworth Community Area has been shows aggregate scores based on individual accessibility issues for the Chutes (12th/281 in dominated by the army in its culture and assessments for income, employment, health, Wiltshire) and Collingbournes & Everleigh heritage. Over recent years, initiatives have been education, accessibility, crime and living (22nd.281 in Wiltshire). This measure looks at undertaken to reduce this dominance through environment. Not only is Tidworth north east road distance to GPs, supermarkets and development and integration with projects such one of the most deprived SOAs in Kennet it is convenience stores, primary schools and post as the Tidworth leisure centre, health centre and ranked 25th out of 281 SOAs in Wiltshire (where offices. The Indices of Multiple Deprivation economic development. Shankland Cox in 1993 1 is the most deprived). An analysis of the emphasise the need to improve the range of and a report by ENTEC in 2002 highlighted the individual assessments showed there were services in the rural areas and public transport. need to increase the civilian population to particular issues in relation to education (4th/281 reduce this imbalance. th in Wiltshire) and health (20 /281 in Wiltshire). Conclusion: Despite the separate military and civilian There is a general issue relating to Health and education are both issues that are populations there are many local clubs and accessibility from the rural areas to services concerns of the Tidworth Community Area societies and a range of good outdoor leisure that needs to be addressed, otherwise the Partnership as it is not just the Tidworth north- facilities within both Tidworth and Ludgershall. community area overall enjoys a good quality east SOA with specific issues in the area. A There is a new swimming pool and modern of life based on the English Indices of number of initiatives have already taken place or sports centre in Tidworth, a joint venture Multiple Deprivation. Planning policies are in progress to respond to health and between the Army and Kennet District Council, should continue to support and build upon education concerns: which provides excellent up-to-date facilities. In existing community initiatives for health and Ludgershall there is a sports centre at Castledown education. School and football facilities at Astor Crescent in • Tidworth Leisure Centre was built in Ludgershall. The Army has a new athletics partnership by Kennet District d) Cultural / built environment facility, including a football pitch, and excellent Council and the Ministry of Defence equestrian facilities, both of which are accessible to increase opportunities for sport. to the whole community. In the villages • A new health centre has been built in Community Area Plan issues: opportunities for sport and informal games is the centre of Tidworth by the Ministry Improve sports, arts and entertainment largely provided by parish councils. of defence which is available to both facilities for the area. military and civilian residents which Attractions such as a commercial cinema and has extended the health services theatre are not available. Tidworth’s close available locally. There are 7 Conservation Areas in the Tidworth proximity to Salisbury some 15 miles away and • A proposal for the Castledown Rural Community Area at Chute Cadley/Lower Chute, Andover some 11 miles away goes some way to Acadamy and Sixth Form College on Collingbourne Ducis, Collingbourne Kingston, compensate for this but outlying villages are the site of Castledown School is Ludgershall, Oxenwood, Tidcombe, Upper poorly served with public transport and getting progressing. Chute. There area 49 ancient monuments in the into Salisbury can be difficult. community area including Ludgershall Castle.
17 Core Strategy Options Background Paper Tidworth Community Area Profile
Conclusion: The Tidworth Community Area is not known for its cultural heritage, however, several projects are already proposed to develop the identity and community within Tidworth that should be supported through planning policies.
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Forward Planning Kennet District Council Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2AT Tel: 01380 724911 Fax: 01380 729146 [email protected]
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