Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013

Penistone Town Council St John’s Community Centre Church Street Penistone S36 6AR Tel : 01226 370 088 E-mail : [email protected] community. The feedback from the Penistone questionnaire on whether the people of Penistone should develop our own Index Community Led Plan conﬁrmed that Community 93% respondents approved. This is an overwhelmingly positive response. A – InTRoduCTIon Page 1 Led Parish The Community Led Plan encompasses B - HISToRIC PEnISTonE Page 2 many aspects as can be seen in the Index opposite. Throughout this report C - CommunITy LEd PLAn Page 6 Plan 2013 each section follows the same pattern; a narrative analysis of the responses to • Penistone the Place; comprising: InTRoduCTIon that section’s questions followed by a a. Penistone’s Value Page 6 number of suggested action points. b. Housing Page 7 The action points also indicate whether c. Green Space Page 9 This is the ﬁrst Community Led Plan the action is to have a short, medium or d. Footpaths & Bridleways Page 10 that has sought the full engagement of long term timescale. Text highlighted e. Education & The Library Page 13 the community and, following lengthy in blue italics indicates a direct quote f. Crime and Safety Page 17 public consultation, launched in 2013. taken from the survey.

• Local Economy; comprising: Throughout 2011 & 2012 Penistone a. Shopping Page 22 Town Council’s Development and b. The Market Page 25 Regeneration Committee consulted c. Business Needs Page 26 with the public of the civil parish of d. Tourism Page 27 Penistone which includes Springvale, Cubley, Hoylandswaine, Thurlstone, • Travel and Transport; comprising: and Millhouse Green to understand a. Trains Page 30 their priorities for the development of b. Buses Page 32 the parish. Note : In England, a civil c. Road Safety Page 32 parish is a territorial designation d. HGV Access Page 33 which is the lowest tier of local government below districts and e. Cycling Page 34 The Community Led Plan will be subject f. Parking Page 34 counties. It is an administrative parish, in contrast to an ecclesiastical parish. to a review after five years. It is important that this plan is not simply • Social and Leisure; comprising: Supported by Rural Action Yorkshire allowed to be printed and lie idle. It is a. Sports & Leisure Activities Page 36 the consultation exercise produced a Penistone Town Councils intention b. Growing Food Page 39 significant number of comments and that, whilst some of the outcomes c. Children’s Play Areas Page 40 suggestions through various well expressed within this document are d. Local Services – Healthcare attended meetings at St John’s aspirational and may not be achievable Services & Social Integration Page 43 Community Centre and also at the within that five year timeframe, all the action points raised are capable of • Energy; comprising: Penistone Agricultural show. some progression. a. Energy Efficiency Page 47 This exercise enabled the compilation b. Renewable Energy Page 48 of a questionnaire distributed to homes The summary section at the end of this in the parish. A significant 24% return of document sets out what Penistone d - SummARy & questionnaires confirms that there is Town Council believes should be the ACKnoWLEdGEmEnTS Page 49 measurable agreement on the future next step in this Community Led Plan’s development of Penistone and the progression.

Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 1 agriculture related, in particular sheep farming, and the production of woollen cloth. The water powered mills alongside the River Don were part of both these activities. In 1863 the Penistone steelworks opened which eventually expanded into a large area on both sides of the railway south of the town. After the steelworks closed in 1930 only part of the site was occupied for industrial use and this has contracted in recent years. Despite the eﬀorts of various bodies over many years the large industrial site failed to attract new occupants and most of the site has now been redeveloped for housing.

Agriculture still plays an important part in the life of the area and manufacturing continues but on a much smaller scale. The demise of the railway to Manchester has resulted in the creation of the Trans Pennine Trail which has led to the development of tourism due to Penistone’s proximity to the Peak District National Park

Penistone had a market for a long time before its royal charter was granted in 1699, although its historic livestock market was closed recently to make way for town centre re-development. A new landmark building has been built in Penistone for the HISToRIC PEnISTonE townships named Hoyland in the area. In the Market Place. This is an oak ‘Cruck Barn’ and was built by 1086 Doomsday Survey one of the names that Carpenter Oak of Totnes, Devon. Penistone is referred to is Pengeston, which is Penistone Grammar School was founded in 1392. A new school now used for the name of a road on a new Penistone is a small market town and civil parish was built and opened in 2011. Although known as Penistone housing development and for the local Masonic in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, in Grammar School, the new school is Penistone Grammar School Lodge. South Yorkshire, England, with a population of Advanced Learning Centre (ALC). Other local schools include St 10,101 at the 2001 census. Penistone is 8 miles Several pre-19th Century buildings still survive, John’s Primary School, Springvale Primary School, Thurlstone west of the town of Barnsley and 17 miles north the oldest being the Grade I listed mediaeval Primary School, Millhouse Green Primary School and of Sheffield, in the East Peak of the Pennines. parish church, Saint John the Baptist Church, Hoylandswaine Primary School. and the White Heart (formerly White Hart) pub The origin of the name The Penistone Mayors Parade and Gala in June features Penistone is generally in the town dates from 1377. events on a Saturday with two music events on The Recreation accepted to be the Ground (an area of open Green Space in the centre of town also “settlement on the hill” – Penistone town centre known by some as “The Showground” which has been fiercely an etymology fully justified stands at an elevation of protected by local residents): a concert of light music in the by its situation. Prior to 750 feet (230 m) above afternoon and an evening Rock concert. On the Sunday, a major sea level; the highest 1066 Penistone was Parade and Gala takes place. The Parade goes through the market town in England. owned by Ailric, a Saxon middle of Penistone and the Gala also takes place on The The highest point in the lord, and one remnant of Recreation Ground. This event is organised by Penistone Round surrounding area is the town destroyed in the Table, Penistone Scouts & Penistone Town Council. Harrying of the North in Hartcliffe Tower at 364 1070 is preserved in the metres above sea level, Penistone Agricultural Show encourages visitors from across with stunning views over form of a fragment of a Saxon cross set the north of England. It is the biggest one-day show in Yorkshire the moors towards in a pillar inside the present day church. Ailric and is held on the second Saturday in September. As well as Woodhead and as far as the East Riding of was one of the few Saxon lords to retain his ordinary agricultural categories for sheep, cows, goats, and Yorkshire towards the east on a clear day. possessions after 1066 and he was succeeded by chickens entries are received in horticulture, handicraft, show his son Swein who probably gave his name to Prior to the coming of the railway in 1845 the jumping, pigeons, dogs, photography and many more Hoylandswaine to distinguish it from the other Town’s major economic activities were categories.

2 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 The first Penistone Folk Festival occurred in June The housing in the heart of the small towns and villages in the 2011 in the new Market Barn. It was one of the Penistone area has developed over several centuries and first public ventures to happen in the new reflects the area’s agricultural and industrial past. building. Other events of this type are being Predominantly the housing is in the form of small stone actively encouraged with a recent development cottages, built to accommodate weavers, farm, steelworks and of the Christmas Market and Lights Switch-on railway employees, of which there are many examples in the with Santa ably assisted by Penistone Round conservation areas of Penistone and Thurlstone. Twentieth Table. century developments of private and social housing continued Penistone Farmers’ Market, also held in the this trend of small houses using materials typical of each era. For example, there are 1930’s brick and tile housing, 1960’s Market Barn, is a monthly farmers’ market on The town’s rural nature is evident standard architecture and the 1980’s to 1990’s mixed style the second Saturday of every month. Local with farming well established in the local developments. More recently the very large housing farmers and producers of foods and crafts bring community. Dry stone walls and small villages developments have concentrated on large family and executive local produce direct to the public. The market is surrounded by fields and livestock are homes which have attracted people from outside the area who open to all traders selling their own produce, synonymous with the area. Famous for its work in the nearby towns and cities. based within a short radius of Penistone. rugged Penistone sheep and a strong sense of farming and community spirit, Penistone Penistone has its own community radio station. Formed in 2005 continues to thrive as an upland market town. Penistone FM operated a trial broadcast in September 2006 and Cubley, Springvale, Thurlstone, Millhouse Green successfully applied for a full-time Ofcom licence. and Hoylandswaine are proud independent Penistone FM started test transmissions on 95.7 MHz FM on village communities with a strong independent Saturday 9 May 2009 and officially launched on Saturday 6 June community spirit, although in past years the 2009, with its licence running for five years. gradual decline of small village shops has centralised retail shopping within Penistone Abbreviations: itself. In this document the following abbreviations are used:- PTC = Penistone Town Council BMBC = Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council PGS ALC = Penistone Grammar School Advanced Learning Centre CLP = Community Led Plan TPT = Trans Pennine Trail.

4 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 5 Penistone HouSInG There is a strong strength of feeling regarding the The Place impact that any further large housing developments would have and the following comments are typical of the many who stated their concern on this issue. VALuES Comments included:

“if building continues Penistone will lose its The ﬁrst question asked what people thought was identity as a rural market town” special and distinctive about Penistone and elicited 1123 “the population is already too large for the responses. The responses conﬁrm that access to current infrastructure” surrounding countryside was the top most appreciated value with the cinema a very close popular favourite. In When the questionnaire asked how many people were likely to be looking for accommodation in the area in addition the traditional market town architecture within the next 5 years there was a total of 284 responses The rethespo ncommunityses confirm and tha tthe acc distinctiveess to surro viewsundin gare co uveryntry muchside was the top indicating a need from the following age ranges: m appreciated. The local rural character and independent

spirit of the community is particularly cherished by the Housing Needs - Age Range Age 11 to 30 (63%) residents of the parish.

Age 31 to 50 (20%) Penistone’s Value Age 51 to 70 (12%) Access to surrounding countryside (93%)

The cinema (78%) Age over 70 (5%)

Traditional market town architecture (70%) From 238 responses regarding the type of

The distinctive views (70%) accommodation that people thought Penistone needs,

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% the top priority was aﬀordable housing for local people to buy or rent. Much lower priority was given to family homes and to apartments/ﬂats. The priority for s s executive homes was very low:

Affordable Housing Housing TTyypepes (47%) Family Homes (27%)

Apartments/Flats (23%) Sheltered Housing (5%)

Executive Homes (3%)

Concerns were expressed that if local aﬀordable housing was not available the children of current residents would have to move out of the area to ﬁnd “starter homes”, for example: H “Young people cannot afford to rent or buy in Penistone and typically move to Barnsley” Whilst recognising that there is a need for more

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aﬀordable housing the people of Penistone and the homes should be restricted to three stories, then parish villages have a clear view that the size, type and stricter controls in designated conservation areas was location of any future housing developments should be considered important as were construction to the strictly controlled to preserve the rural market town highest environmental standard and preference for character of Penistone. homes with a traditional appearance. There was little support for housing of modern appearance. The fact Size of New Housing Developments that only 2% of respondents stated that they had no preference apparently indicates the strength of feeling Small Scale (1 to 10 units) 43% on this issue. Medium Scale (11 to 24 units) 40% When asked to select where any new housing should Large Scale (>25 units) 17%

be built the 1120 respondents to this question were 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% overwhelmingly in favour of restricting developments to old industrial sites and previously developed areas:

With regard to size, small to medium scale development was the most popular choice from the 2899 responses Location of New Housing to the question of development size for all types of new housing. Large housing developments were not On old industrial sites (70%)

desirable. Multiple developments adjacent to each Restricted to prev iou sly deve loped si tes (6 3%) n other in order to overcome the recommendations of Restricted to existing reside ntia l areas (54% ) the plan would not be supported. Residents’ opinions p No preference (8%) suggest that planners should look at the demographic On farmland or open spaces (4%) n impact of the types of homes proposed. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Schools, surgeries and other public facilities are nearing There is very little support for housing on farmland and capacity in some of the Penistone catchment areas. open spaces and, as the responses to the next question

demonstrate, there is a strong desire to protect the The character of Penistone today is the result of various existing s ) green spaces and farmland from any further small scale developments carried out over many years. Small housing development numbers, in the style development. of the existing local houses is the conclusion of the survey. Medium sized developments should have a v i s s e

play area for children incorporated in any approved GREEn SPACE development.

The survey asked what criteria any new housing should A total of 732 people accepted the invitation to specify meet in terms of appearance and construction and to green spaces within or on Penistone’s boundaries that select those that they thought were important from the The views of t need protection from building development: list below. The views of the 1126 respondents were:

New Housing Criteria Protect Green Space Priorities

In keeping with surrounding buildings (82%) All Green Space and Farmland Height no more than 3 stories (71%) (49%) Stricter controls in conservation areas (55%) Penisto ne Sh owground (4 2%) Highest environmental standard (51%) Traditional appearance (48%) Waterhall Park (8%) Modern appearance (8%) No preference (2%) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Residents’ priority is to protect all green spaces and The majority of respondents would prefer new farmland from development but two speciﬁc areas,

buildings to be built in keeping with the surrounding Penistone Recreation Ground and Waterhall Park, were The next priority is that the height of new homes should be restricted to three stories, tbuildings. The next priority is that the height of new especially selected for protection.

There was little support for housing of modern appearance. The fact that only 2% of 8 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 9 r 9

Actions FooTPATHS & BRIdLEWAyS route 62 and long distance footpath and Comments indicated that this concern also therefore brings tourists to Penistone. It is also extends to dog fouling on pavements. one of the few mainly level routes in this hilly “Clear litter off paths and trail ....Less G A limited amount of new housing should be As a long established market town, Penistone area, being created along the line of an old litter - trans pennine trail is often filthy, permitted providing that it is of traditional railway and has much needed potential for has a network of footpath routes both in the also could be cleaner around the town appearance, in keeping with surrounding disabled usage. The most popular activity on the centre .. Always have some (fouling) buildings, no higher than three stories, TPT was given as “Walking”, accounting for 88% outside our house on Green Road and it’s constructed to the highest environmental of responses, whilst 34% listed “Cycling” and 4% a school route. .... The pavements are standards and subject to strict controls in “Horse Riding”. often a disgrace in Thurlstone, despite conservation areas. Timescale - Short term. “we walk many footpaths in the area and bins and notices”. G Affordable housing should form a substantial appreciate the open spaces . . . . I enjoy People supported direct action being taken walking on transpennine trail ...... element of any new developments. against offending owners. Dog warden patrols, walking with children and biking . . . . . Timescale - Short term. fines and naming and shaming were considered riding bikes and dog walking . . . . . G The location of any new housing should be Interpretation signs about local wildlife, to be the most effective way of encouraging restricted to small and medium size guided nature trails, well signposted them to remove their dog-waste, although one developments on old industrial sites or nature trail ...... More cycle racks for respondent made the point that:- within current residential areas. There people coming off trail” “Warden patrols to actually take place should be minimal further encroachment of (one thing starting them, another to see new housing on farmland and open spaces. them in action)” Timescale -Short term. 8% of the “Other” comments referred to G Housing Design should include education. environmental reviews for sustainable housing development. Timescale - Short “Include local schools in a programme to

term. highlight risks/problems. Dog waste is G biggest problem in Penistone”. The views of local residents are taken into account when all new housing town and connecting it to Some of the suggested solutions were novel, developments are being considered. nearby villages. These are well used with 91% of verging on illegal! Timescale - Short term. all respondents reporting that they use the network. Whilst some of these older paths are “Reinstate the village stocks! We could It is recommended that Penistone Town Council, When asked for reasons that prevented now used almost exclusively for leisure purposes use the spare veg left over from the and local residents, make all efforts to comment respondents from making more use of the (74%), some, along with more recently created allotment scheme”. on the proposed LDF (Local Development footpath / bridleway / greenway network, Framework) being produced by BMBC paths like the Trans-Pennine Trail (TPT), are still cleanliness was the major concern; graffiti, litter Access problems on the footpath network e.g. important access routes (26%). and dog fouling comprised 31% of all responses stiles on field paths, were cited by 6% as a reason (publication due early 2014) so as to have the with dog fouling alone accounting for 20%. why they did not make more use of it. There is maximum say on the following elements:- The TPT is a combined bridleway, national cycle

G current environmental policy

G housing development sizing limits How to Encourage Owners Other (4%) G building conservation and housing design to Remove their Dog's Waste parameters. Free bags (12%)

G to identify green space and green belt More signage (13%) locations More bins (23%) G to press forward with protection of agreed priority locations Naming and shaming offending dog owners (24%) G to improve public access to green space.

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Reasons why People do not use Footpaths facilities, food outlets and a tourist information EduCATIon more point detailing current bed-and-breakfast facilities as well as local landmarks. This need for greater publicity is also alluded to in the section The opportunities for adult learning are naturally Dog Fouling (20%) Muddy/poorly drained surface (16% ) on Tourism. limited by demand; there are, however, a wide Unclear/Overgrown paths (12%) range of venues in which it is oﬀered. Courses Litter Graffiti (10%) are oﬀered by BMBC Adult and Family Learning, Feeling unsafe (10%) Other (8%) Actions not only at the traditional locations of the Poor signage (7%) secondary school, library and (3) community / Don't know where I am allowed (6%) Stiles/gates/barriers (5.5%) youth centres, but also at St Andrews Church Worried about getting lost (0.6%) G Replace stiles with easier access ‘kissing Hall, Hoylandswaine Sports Club and Penistone Have to cross busy roads (0.3%) gates’. Timescale - Ongoing. Tarmac surface too hard (0.2%) Paramount Cinema. In addition, PGS is developing a separate adult learning 0 5 10 15 20 25 G Look into extending lighting on the TPT. programme and a local café began classes in Timescale – Ongoing. both sewing and life drawing in January 2013. access onto the TPT for wheelchairs and (single) recycled rubber and chippings, which give a G Investigate ways to increase security on the

pushchairs from Green Road to the showground wide strip of resilient, . . . .all-weather . . Poorly surface TPT to encourage greater usage. Timescale but elsewhere,m except at Shore Lane and suitable for all users whilst leaving a soft, natural – Medium term. Leaping Lane, access is limited by bike restriction surface for horses alongside it. barriers and, less open to solution, the G Identify and finger-post or paint-mark The Trans Pennine Trail conservation volunteers steepnessp of the tracks leading to the trail. Resurfacing of the trail to the Thurlstone/Millhouse Green circular walks and cycle routes, e.g. b have been responsible for cutting back Boundary walk and Penistone/Holmfirth Safety concerns were various, including poor or overgrown vegetation, painting bridges and /Penistone loop. Timescale – Medium term. no lighting on the TPT, youths drinking on TPT at cleaning signs, as shown in figures 1 and 2. More night and problems caused by animals, including G signage is also planned. Cleanliness is a Identify and publicise outlets for stocking 5 complaints of aggressive dogs and 3 of bulls ubiquitous and ongoing problem. The council free walking/ cycling guides e.g Barnsley (illegally) in fields Cleanlinesscontaining is apublic ubiquitous footpaths; and ongoing problem.and Thevoluntary council and organisations voluntary organisations such as Scouts and Cycling Guides. Timescale - Short / medium s 16% of responses related to feeling unsure of Trans Pennine Trail conservation volunteers term. regularly clean up the routes. routes, leading to concerns about trespass G Ask schools to continue with anti-litter and/or getting lost. education. Organise a high-profile As may be seen from the following quotes, some community litter-picking event. Timescale - people used this section to highlight problems Ongoing. with the condition of town pavements. G A dog warden scheme should be “Pot holes - (there) are poorly main- investigated and a review of the existing dog tained pavement surfaces through out bin provision should be carried out. Penistone. . . . . Poorly maintained Timescale - Short term - Medium term. footpaths. majority of paths I use are G Install a cycle rack at a central point in town. uneven, covered in potholes and need “the library is our most Timescale - Medium term. repaving” used indoor facility” G Investigate the creation of more cycle routes Some of the reasons given why people do not Notice board at There is no obvious preference for the location / a mountain bike trail. Discuss possibility of use footpaths have recently been addressed. Community centre exit. of courses; those with a strong preference are The poor, waterlogged surface of the TPT was creating a mountain bike trail/circuit for overwhelmed by those who don’t mind whilst highlighted by many, as was its unsuitability for An additional sign could be considered at the competitions with local landowners. the preferences are almost evenly split between pushchairs and use by the disabled. Resurfacing Community Centre or showground exit, Timescale - Medium term. the school and the town centre. The most of the trail to the Thurlstone/Millhouse Green containing information of use to tourists using common reason given for unwillingness to use boundary was completed in January 2013, using the long distance route, such as details of toilet the ALC is cost.

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n n e t e

Where People Prefer to do Courses oﬀered are deterring people from engaging in life-long learning. Comments included:- “ . . . . . more and varied classes better PGS ALC only (14%) advertising of these facilities . . . . . Tow n Ce ntre only () 16%) promotion of what is available and easier Either (70%) access . . . . access to learning with a qualification at the end . . . . . language groups especially conversational with no form filling and silly qualifications . . . . . People were asked to identify the broad category of wider educational opportunities, talks/lectures” course in which they would be interested; arts & crafts library as a leisure amenity in the town can be and leisure courses were the most popular, accounting & More people prefer courses in the evening to shown by the fact that it is used by 64% of

for 59% of the total. any single other time, but there is still signiﬁcant respondents demand for the other options, suggesting that TTypeypes of Course Which Interest People venues be made available throughout the day. E-learning Centre

Actions ICT (16% ) From the data obtained from the survey it can Work/ Car eer (17%) be seen that 90% of respondents who answered Leisure (26%) G this question, rarely or never use the E-learning Review the advertising & promotion of Fami ly learnin g (8%) courses. Timescale - Short term. centre. Those that did state their reasons as Arts & Crafts (33%) follows:- G Encourage course promoters to ensure courses are targetted to meet demand. Those that“borrowing did state their books reasons for readers’ as follows:- group . . . Timescale - Short term. . take children to library . . . . wea classes 105 respondents chose to give more specific details and at the library wea . . classes. . . language at the library classes . . . at G Encourage . . courselanguage classes promoters at library . to. . . job offer hunting, printing serviceslibrary ...... local . job history hunting, from printing the library services . . . 21 separate types of course were identified as being of courses at the right price. Timescale - . . . . local history from the library ...... interest to people; at least 8 of these are currently being Ongoing - as courses are proposed. reading” offered. This includes foreign languages (asked for by 1 41%), although since German, French and colloquial Looking at how many in each age group Spanish courses are already being provided it may be responded to the questionnaire, it can be seen LIBRARy to be used proportionately more by those aged that here a wider range of languages is being 66 + but even then fewer than 20% claim more requested. Similarly, 6 people asked for computing than “rare” usage. courses although these are already offered at 4 venues. Penistone library is the largest branch library in However, one person made the point that the course the borough and is second in size to the Central It is clear that use of the E-Learning centre needs level wasn’t right for them. Ignorance of what is library. to increase to ensure the facility remains viable. But interestingly a number of respondents state available and the unsuitability of courses that are Despite one respondent commenting that it is in they do not know what facilities are available Preferred Times “such an ugly building” , the importance of the within the library building:-

% of Each Age Group who Frequently or Occasionally

Morning (19%) use the E-learning Centre 41-65 (11%) Weekend (20%) 26-40 (12%) Afternoon (22%) 18-25 (17%) Evening (39%) 75+ (19%) 66-74 (20%)

0 5 10 15 20 25

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G Encourage tutors of specialist subjects to separate questions for perceptions of daytime hire the e-learning centre to provide courses and night -time. Responses were scaled from 1- paid for by participants. Eg languages, family 5, with 1 being very safe and 5 being very unsafe. history, IT courses. Timescale - Medium term. People responded well to the question of how G Liaise with Northern College, U3A and ?WEA safe they feel in their local neighbourhood to determine whether these organisations during the daytime, with 1113 replies. Our would consider using the library as a venue respondents are drawn from districts that make for their courses. Timescale - Medium term. up the town of Penistone, together with the town centre. Namely these areas comprise; G Establish games clubs eg Chess, Scrabble, Hoylandswaine, Springvale, Cubley, Millhouse Bridge, computer gaming etc. Timescale - Green and Thurlstone. A positive response Short / medium term. indicates that the majority of residents (80%) feel G Resume ICT help, making a tutor available for very safe, with a further 12% feeling reasonably drop in session to advise enquirers on their safe. Only 2.8% of respondents feel very unsafe. home computer problems. Timescale - Short / medium term.

G Advertise the meeting rooms to local

charities as a venue for support groups for parents of children with special needs. Additional Resources most Frequently Timescale - Short term. Requested Courses (18%) G Advertise the meeting rooms to local Improved facilities (12%) charities as a venue for charity advice Audio + ebooks, DVDs and CDs sessions. Timescale - Short term. (14%) More books (12%) G Increase collaboration with local businesses, Archives (9%) publicising the meeting facilities. Timescale - Once again, there were more than a thousand Childrens activities (9%) Short term. responses to the question of how safe residents feel at night-time in their local neighbourhood. Positive comments included:- The replies indicate that although the number “Enjoy library as it is, was very impressed CRImE & SAFETy “never know what’s on, need more feeling very safe is lower than for the daytime with the facilities . . . . . got everything we advertising . . . . mobile library needed in need there . . . . the library is our most (42%), when taken together with those who feel outlying areas” used indoor facility” Penistone has its own police station, which is reasonably safe (33%), this gives a total of 75% of respondents who feel safe in their Of the additional resources identified as desired open between the hours of 9am to 5pm, neighbourhood at night-time. When considering by respondents, the most frequent suggestions Monday to Friday. Officers of the Safer Actions Neighbourhood Team (SNT), based in Penistone, replies to this question, it is worth taking are: (See chart above). support community policing and resources are account of the possibility of a seasonal variation in perception. People may feel less safe during Interestingly, there were 11 people who shared with other communities. Although G dark winter nights, compared to extended hours requested a reading group, seemingly unaware Improve the facilities by offering free wi-fi. Penistone forms part of the Metropolitan of daylight during summer time. that a thriving one already exists. As elsewhere, Timescale - Medium term. Borough of Barnsley, the area surrounding the

this points to a need for better marketing of G Publicise what is happening within the town is predominantly open countryside. Activity in Penistone town centre can vary from existing amenities. building. A display board could be sited Penistone is regarded generally as a low crime day to day, with the earlier part of the week

where passing pedestrians can see it, listing area and this is reﬂected in the responses to the generally being quiet. From Thursday, which is The report quotes the most popular additions to survey. As a preliminary, residents were asked “today’s activities” and “this week’s market day, onwards into the weekend, the services available at the library or at the ALC to activities.” A larger board inside could show how safe they feel living in the Penistone area. number of people in the town centre can be foreign language, IT classes and creative the regular monthly activities. Timescale - Additionally, they were asked how safe they feel increase quite extensively. Again, this question

writing. Short term. in various parts of Penistone town, with generated a strong positive response, with 1106

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replies to the question of how safe the public When asking questions with regard to safety in There were some specific facilities and areas of feel in the town centre during the day. More our parks and the recreation ground, time of day Penistone where residents indicated that they than three-quarters (78%) of respondents was not specified. Responses in this section do not feel safe. Some of these are more rural should be considered in view of the possibility locations, such as the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT), indicated that they feel very safe, with a further that time of day and the amount of natural light where over 35% of respondents stated they feel 14% feeling reasonably safe. unsafe, and Penistone’s footpaths and available can have an impact on perceptions of Like many towns and city centres, usage and bridleways. Interestingly, some aspects which safety. The table below shows the breakdown could generally be considered as busy, such as activities in Penistone town centre can change of responses between very and reasonably safe, bus and train stations, car parks, and pubs and at night-time. In a modern culture, with the where a majority (68%) feel safe in our parks and threat of problems related to drink and drugs, 63% of the public feel safe at the recreation restaurants also gave some cause for concern. violence can flare up, and a perceived lack of ground. Turning now to the experience of actual crime in police presence can make people feel insecure. Taken together and viewed overall, the the Penistone area, 79 residents stated that they Consequently, it is no surprise that the number were a victim of crime during the previous 12- responses to the questionnaire show that the of respondents who feel very safe in the town month period, and an additional 63 respondents majority of residents in all districts of Penistone centre at night is 20%. However, a further 32% had witnessed a crime. Of this overall total, only feel very or reasonably safe, both day and night. felt reasonably safe, indicating that the overall 80% reported the crime, overwhelmingly to the When taken in comparison to other areas of the majority (52%) feel safe in Penistone town centre police, but also to their Neighbourhood Watch. Barnsley Borough this is encouraging, although It is of concern that among those who did not at night. Nevertheless, this indicates a need to it should not cause us to be complacent. There report the incident, a large majority gave the be vigilant to improve the public perception of are still members of the public, in all areas of safety in Penistone at night-time, if we are to reason as:- Penistone, who do not feel safe and we must encourage tourism and improve the local look at whatever action we can take to address “I didn’t think it would make any economy. their fears. difference”. Another reason for non-reporting was “I didn’t In the Parks & Recreation Ground know who to contact”, which indicates a

surprising lack of knowledge regarding the 40% (36%) (34%) (32%) necessary procedures following a crime. By far When asked about their local neighbourhood (31%) 30% the most alarming explanation was “I was afraid watch scheme very few (8%) respondents are of reprisals”. actual members, although 29% of respondents

20% Very Safe from all areas of Penistone did express an Public perceptions of the changing levels of Reasonably Safe interest in joining one. 10% crime and anti-social behaviour in Penistone over the preceding 12 months show that the There was a large response to the section asking majority (68%) considered there had been no 0% respondents for their comments on issues Parks Recreation Ground change, whilst only a quarter (24%) thought that requiring more focus of police activity, with the crime had increased. In addition, when asked majority feeling a more visible police presence is how much of a problem crime is in their area, the needed. The issue of anti-social behaviour was majority feel that crime is only an occasional problem or that there is no crime at all. Car uppermost in residents’ minds, closely followed crime topped the list of concerns, as the table by nuisance youths. Surprisingly of almost equal below indicates- % ﬁgures shown: concern to many people were issues relating ͙Ǥ͖ ͚͖Ǥ͜ ͕͗Ǥ͜ ͗Ǥ͚ ͚͔Ǥ͕ ͚͗Ǥ͖ ͜Ǥ͘ ͙͙Ǥ͕ ͚͗Ǥ͘ ͕͛Ǥ͙ ͙͜Ǥ͚ ͖͗Ǥ͛ ͕͜Ǥ͖ ͘͘Ǥ͖ ͗͛Ǥ͙ ͖͔Ǥ͚ ͛͘Ǥ͙ ͕͗Ǥ͛ ͕͗Ǥ͙͛ ͙͙Ǥ͛ ͔͗Ǥ͙ ͕͔Ǥ͖ ͙͘Ǥ͘ ͙͗Ǥ͗ - ͕͚Ǥ͜ ͙͚Ǥ͗ ͖͚Ǥ͜ 18 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 19

properties and to direct clients to these G Presence (21.9%) Ensuring clear lines for reporting incidents areas. Timescale - Medium term. of ASB are in place and widely publicised. ASB (17.8%) Youths (16.0%) G Review all areas of poor street lighting with G (Promote reporting to the 101 telephone Driving (12%) BMBC and the Highways Department. number via posters and local radio station. Drugs (11.8%) Timescale - Short term. The police are encouraged to distribute Alcohol (11.8%) literature/leaﬂets containing information, G Community-based intervention should be Parking (11.6%) to aid engagement). designed to reduce alcohol-related crime, Vandalism (6.4%) violence and disorder. Timescale - Medium G Engaging the SNT to provide a Police term. Youth and Schools Oﬃcer. Re-Fo cu of Poscu Acceli tivity G Practices that promote irresponsible use G Further developing the Penistone West of alcohol (binge-drinking incentives) Crime and Safety sub-group to encourage

to driving and parking. General comments “More local sport features on should be subject to self-regulation and attendance and co-operation at the PACT Penistone FM to promote area/youth received were:- community monitoring. meetings between the police, ﬁre service, successes.” registered local landlords, licensees, youth “Police to be more visible in all places not G Licensees to be empowered and “More communication about what’s services, local authorities and schools. just the town centre …… Police do a motivated as decision makers in any great job, just need more walking police going on in Penistone.” process of change. They should be G Contact BMBC and investigate the to make people feel safer …. More public “Better promotion of Penistone.” consulted, as they are in a good position engagement with the police …. Anti- outcome report of the Barnsley to understand known problems and may Community Alcohol Partnership (B-CAP) social behaviour, especially on the TPT G Contact Tesco Supermarket to propose a have viable ideas for change. initiative carried out in April 2011. and around the town …. ASB outside one-way system to deter driving around of pubs …. Cars being driven around in vehicles and to investigate possibility of a G Investigate if the current Pub Watch G Encourage the development of the Adult groups in Tesco Car Park and people gated car park for out-of-hours. Tesco to initiative needs further development. Learning Centre at the local grammar hanging around in cars …. Cars and liaise with police/SNT for active monitoring school to provide youth activities and motorbikes speeding around housing G Responsible hospitality practices can be of CCTV cameras in car park area. Timescale investigate the further development of estates …. Youths gathering around economically viable, with increasing supermarkets”. - Short term. Penistone Youth Centre. popularity of family dining and socializing. G Conversely, several respondents felt that police Penistone Town Council must ensure it plays Timescale – Short / medium term. “Need more family-oriented social should spend less time on driving, an active roll in all discussions regarding the enterprises.” “After school activities . . . . . administration and parking issues, in order to constraint and/or re-routing of HGVs throughout Penistone. SatNav manu- G Redevelopment of the old grammar give more focus to more important issues. There is a need to prevent ASB before it school . . . . . Activities/facilities for facturers to be approached to request However, parking is not now part of police occurs and to prevent escalation where it is young teenagers . . . . . Youth duties, and has been assigned to a parking updating of maps showing low bridges. already happening, by:- groups/activities . . . . . More facilities enforcement group in Barnsley. Timescale – Medium / long term. for young people aged 12-18yrs.” Whilst several positive factors are used at the G PACT meetings could be held more regularly moment, ie targeting problem locations and in the evenings, to allow for greater problem individuals & improving the built attendance, and attendance by diﬀerent environment, further work could be done to members of the public, who work during the make people feel safer when in our town. daytime. Timescale - Short term. “Hold policing priority meeting in Actions evening/weekend, some people miss out getting involved.” G Request that local licensees consider G Use local media as a positive force for adopting a policy of “no drinks” outside, change, whereby they become a vehicle for other than in beer gardens. This will reduce community education. Penistone Town the perception of people drinking on the Council to investigate a connecting link via streets (and possibly reduce incidents of their website to a Crime & Safety page. public disorder/ASB). Encourage licensees to Penistone FM to give information regarding develop designated smoking areas and to crime initiatives. Timescale - Short term. develop beer gardens at the rear of their

20 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 21 LOCAL ECONOMY

In this section people were asked questions about what types of goods they travelled outside of Penistone to buy and which they would prefer to buy locally, whether people would support a ‘shop local’ scheme

and what people thought the new market barn could be used for. The questionnaire also asked Th ewhat quest localionnaire a businesses needed to help them develop, and sought

to understand what improvements people thought were needed most to help cater for tourism within Penistone – recognising the importance of our closeness to the Peak Park.

Some of the speciﬁc shops indicated may not be ii) Numerous farm shops within a three mile SHoPPInG viable or desired by the majority, ie., McDonalds, radius of the town. Primark, Marks & Spencer and Argos. These would probably be seen to go against the iii) Currently numerous DIY establishments traditional market town architecture, character exist within the town centre area. and preponderance of local independent Also, as Penistone is home to some boutique shops; these aspects ranking highly in the style fashion shops, the assumption could be survey section relating made that a wider range of to Penistone’s special clothes are desired, attributes. However, the along the lines of the products they sell were larger department style indicated as desirable – stores in neighbouring providing the ‘catch-22’ 1129 responses were made to this question. areas. With so many problem of products schools in the area for The questions produced some themselves being de- instance, a children’s surprising, and some not surprising results. The list of sired but through shoe shop could be items bought outside Penistone (and wanted locally) outlets that may not be potentially welcome. was extensive and somewhat quirky (ranging from in keeping with the

“local meat” to “ﬁshing gear” and yes, “McDonalds”). town as it is. The survey results could 1129 responses were made to this question. therefore indicate that the The top three categories noted as requiring better provision in the area were, clothes (20%), existing businesses need to re-evaluate their Goods Required DIY (16%) and shoes (14%). stock, or simply make their presence better known. Toys (1%) There are also a large collective of answers with Homeware (3%) Support for a ‘shop local’ scheme was quite the word ‘local’ in the response and this, taken Books, CD's & DVD's (3%) marked, some 86% of respondents were positive together with the responses as shown, means Shoes (14%) about the scheme. Demographically, the most that the survey response is interesting as:- DIY (16%) supportive age range was from 41-65 year olds, Clothing (20%) i) There are a wide range of locally based food and with 50% of support coming from the 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% shops within the Penistone area. residents of Penistone itself.

22 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 23

No speciﬁc mechanism was suggested, though the the whole district (alleviate car parking). Timescale inference of some kind of incentive for customers using – Medium term. the scheme may have buoyed the positive response. G Review Bee-voucher scheme, or choose an This should be considered if such a scheme is sought to alternative scheme for Penistone. Timescale – Short be implemented. There are similar schemes in other term. areas that should be investigated as possible templates for Penistone. G Work to make sure that the range of goods and services available within our area is better known, Some of the responses will be beyond the capacity of encouraging use of their facilities and reducing this CLP to implement, but the aspirations expressed travel outside our area. Timescale – Long term. will be referred onto the relevant business development agencies.

The infrastructure & ambiance of the town should also THE mARKET be considered in the context of the shopping experience. This is referred to in other sections of the In total 1086 suggestions were made for use of the report, but a lot of people said they felt unsafe at night- Support for festivals & dances was poor at only 6%. time in Penistone Town Centre. From a local economy market barn and respondents were full of ideas for improvements to the actual building, some of which point of view, could were imaginative, if unlikely (ie creating a mezzanine this be abated with floor), to practical suggestions of trying to keep the occasional late-night area as clean as possible. opening hours? 5% of responses suggested demolishing the market, Finally, a lot of with a further 2% suggesting it is increased in size – people commented showing that the recent town centre development still that they felt unsafe produces a wide range of feelings amongst our crossing Penistone residents! High Street, Market Street and St Of the 1086 general suggestions for future uses, the Mary’s Street and largest number was for live music events. Additionally, this may have had if the figures for live music events, non-specific events

an eﬀect on the and performing arts are totalled together, this footfall in the comprises 34% of the result - a huge indication that the centre of the space be put to more cultural and social use. Support town. for festivals & dances was poor at only 6%. Currently, market days are Thursdays and Saturdays with a farmers market every 2nd Saturday. Many Actions potential events therefore could be a regular feature on non-market days.

G Work to encourage a wider range of retail outlets Of the 359 comments suggesting speciﬁc market types,

within the area. Timescale – Long term. 119 (33%) of these suggested Art/Craft/Antique Fayres with 59 (16%) proposing Food Fayres. G Shops and businesses in Penistone town centre are to be encouraged to extend opening hours, where Suggested Specific Market Uses feasible, to create more of a presence in the town Christmas (27) centre later into the evening. Timescale - Short General Markets (73) term. Food (59) Art/Craft (119) G Expand the range of services available throughout 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

24 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 25

Car Boot sales were also featured in the survey Quite a few respondents also chose to give call for many fledgling business ideas but the promotion response, but the Barnsley Market Charter added comments and some of these were:- of this department needs to be bettered. expressly prohibits this within the Borough. “Improve parking facilities . . . use On the whole the responses would appear to derelict area near station . . . . reduce Actions show a clear desire to find more uses for the rates . . . . . (provide) affordable Market Hall, so that it is not left empty for long workshop/storage/office facilities” periods, and these events need to be better G Encourage the start of discussions with developers promoted in Penistone and the wider area. and funding sources to try to develop the available land around our area. Timescale – Long term. Actions G Take part in and help to promote the forthcoming BMBC Local Development Framework (LDF) discussions so that our views are known and written G Work to encourage year round use of the into the final plan. Timescale – Short term. market barn for special events. Timescale – G Short term. Work with IT suppliers to encourage the installation of Fast Broadband schemes, which are vital if the G Penistone Town Council to be part of the surrounding rural areas are to be able to join in with active marketing of the market barn, taking future development. Timescale – Long term. due cognisance of the fact that this is the Again, some of these things are outside the G Review existing marketing streams and funding, new focal point of our Town. Timescale – direct control of the Town Council – for instance Long term. and develop a new long term vision and marketing the Town Council does not set Business Rates strategy that ensures all streams work together on G and the land in question (near the station) is in Continue use of the barn as present and promoting a one strong Penistone ‘brand’. the hands of a private developer. expand the type of markets offered. Timescale – Long term. Timescale – Long term. Within the comments we see a familiar concern G Work to make premises more accessible to start-up G Work to better publicise events, and look regarding parking in Penistone, which is also businesses. Timescale – Long term. into other ways of ‘pushing’ notifications out expressed in the question that follows which G to interested followers of the barn. asks about Tourism. Encourage local businesses & service providers to Timescale – Medium term. use the results of this survey to help them better “Improve parking facilities, could use target their offerings. Timescale – Long term. derelict area near the station as car park

and make good footpath into Penistone” G Work to provide information (and services) for BuSInESS nEEdS business start up. Timescale – Long term. These comments need to be cross referenced to the Transport Section with its high % response of When business owners and potential business residents not prepared to pay for parking. TouRISm starters were asked what they thought would help their business develop in our area 274 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council responses were given. The top answers were:- Development Department may the ﬁrst port of When people were asked what improvements they thought would best cater for tourism within the Business Development Needs Penistone area, some answers were surprising

Improved Transport Links (33%) considering the number of locally based organisations Town Centre Improvements (42%) who have prepared literature in the past or who are Fast Broadband (45%) currently web-based providing information. 1134 people Start-Up Grants (55%) responded to this question and the answers given are

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% a percentage of that ﬁgure:-

26 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 27

Suggested Improvements for Tourism

Family Friendly Pubs (51%) Cycle Hire (39%) Accommodation (40%) Tourist Information centre (40%) Footpath Information (56%) Better Toilets (73%)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Suggestions here related to both facilities and visitors, suggesting improvements to the town’s attractions for tourists with the top response image, more weekend opening of cafes, and a A recurring theme throughout this section G Help promote existing businesses who have being a provision for better public toilets. Other better selection of niche shops like Holmﬁrth. seems to relate to a lack of knowledge of the a ‘tourist’ oﬀer. Timescale – Short term. responses related to better tourist information existing provision of a suggestion. ie cycle hire “. . cafes need to be open at weekends . . G Work with South Yorkshire police to improve / publicity, accommodation, family friendly pubs . .pubs in centre are not welcoming . . . . is already available in Penistone near the Trans the feeling of safety that is lacking within our and restaurants, events, better public transport gangs of youths can be intimidating . . . . Pennine Trail so as stated earlier there may be a Town centre at nights. Timescale – Short / links and services such as Cycle Hire. town centre needs an individual look”. need for better marketing of existing services. medium term. The chart above shows this information. Once again, the issue of car parking attracted There seems to be a special pride for Penistone, G Look at possible funding to develop the numerous comments. seen in section 1, for its Traditional Market town Again, some respondents chose to give added public toilets and modernise the whole bus appeal and other special attributes. Cross comments and these included comments “More car parking for special events . . . . shelter area. Timescale – Short term. referenced with section 2, the facilities such as relating to making Penistone more attractive to sort out parking at station . .” the Trans Pennine Trial, The Paramount and the G Look to improve transport links in and Market Hall are among the most used places around Penistone and better advertise these with the Community Centre and the Library also services. Timescale – Long term. regularly attended. All of these point to a strong G identity for Penistone and for committed usage Look at a wider range of facilities for of these facilities by local residents. commuters at the train station. ie a shop. Timescale – Long term. But for tourism to grow in Penistone people G need reasons to come - so by taking action on Look at a wider range of facilities to best the points raised we hope that in part this will serve those using the Trans Pennine Trail. be achieved. Timescale – Medium term.

Actions

G As above, encourage discussions with developers and our Business partners to provide more parking for the Town. Timescale – Medium term.

G Co-ordinate with existing and past tourist information schemes to provide a central point of information, ie the Market Barn? Timescale – Short term.

28 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 29 TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

With the proposed developments in the Penistone area creating an ever-increasing population, it is imperative that there is a suitable transport infrastructure network in place to sustain and cope with the demands of the residents and businesses. This section is a summary of the responses about respondents current means of transportation, and suggests actions that may improve destinations, the existing services available to them. such as Huddersfield, Barnsley & Sheffield. Trains The data from the questionnaire shows that for 85% of currently run at one hour intervals. However, in 2012 a respondents the car is the main means of transport, and study commissioned by Barnsley and Kirklees Councils, this is true across all areas and all age groups. Less than South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) 10% of respondents report public transport as their main and the adjacent partner organisation in West means of transport, with 6% reporting buses as the main Yorkshire, (WYPTE), Network Rail and Northern Rail transport and 3% the train. proposed an increased frequency to half hour intervals. A further issue is the number of carriages, there are The low use made of public transport may not always sometimes three, but often there are only two, which be a positive preference for the car, but as a result of can result in overcrowding. perceived inadequacies in the public transport system. Only a minority of the respondents stated the use of a Another problem highlighted by the survey about car was essential for work, which means that there is Penistone railway station is the small amount of parking certainly scope to improve on and promote the current available and the lack of connecting bus services, facilities. limiting its use for park and ride. The low number of existing car parking spaces means that they do get filled very quickly, so there is a need to expand in the future. TRAInS Proposals have been made for a rail station interchange in the past, but the adjacent land suggested for such a

development is currently in private ownership. Penistone has a single line train service used by The survey supports these ﬁndings as the main issues commuters and shoppers for travel to major of getting to work from Penistone when using public

transport was frequency of services and long journey times, including the key issue of direct buses to the station, as shown by the graph below.

Main Issues Getting to Work

No direct service/long journey times (86) Frequency/timetabling issues (67) No bus/train service (24) Cost & comfort (23)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

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BuSES RoAd SAFETy

Dis-satisfaction with bus services from the Road safety is also a concern amongst residents with the centre of Penistone featuring highly in respondents is greater with infrequent users of buses than with frequent users; the greatest the survey. The High Street, Market Street and level of dissatisfaction is with bus routes, which the new ‘square about’ are all highlighted along

are considered poor or very poor by 50% of with Shrewsbury Road. frequent users and 55% of infrequent users. The major issues identiﬁed in the responses, are One problem, particularly for people wishing to for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the High use the bus for travel to work, is the fact that the Street, Market Street and St Mary’s Street. services from Penistone can take long routes There is currently one pedestrian crossing on through smaller communities along the way to High Street. The newly installed one-way system surrounding town centres, resulting in long in the town centre is also high on the lists of concerns with pedestrians and drivers alike journey times. (although care should be taken as this is a newly It should also be noted that there is a need to introduced system at the time of the survey). connect services with the trains, as highlighted The following graphs show how these are areas

above. of concern are important to the respondents. Main Areas of Concern for Pedestrians

Problem parking (25) Cubley/Mortimer Rd (21) Bridge St/ Bridge End (37) Springvale/Sheffield Rd (27) Huddersfield Rd/Bridge End/PGS (45) Penistone centre/ High St / Market St (47) Shrewsbury Rd (57) Neon speed Around squareabout (97) warning signs Crossing High St/ Market St/St Mary's St (118)

(SID’s – Speed 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Indicator Devices) have been in use in the Penistone area recently, businesses being reliant on day-time access and they are constantly relocated around Penistone, the restrictions on space for such vehicles in the as research has proven that they are eﬀective town centre itself.

for a short time in a ﬁxed position. The The most preferred measure to improve the questionnaire results suggest that these signs are also a popular method of road safety with HGV issues are to restrict access to the town centre between 7am-6pm with 51% of the survey 54% of respondents preferring this measure above all others. respondents choosing this over other methods.

HGV ACCESS

HGV’s are considered a problem in Penistone centre with 55% of respondents stating the

traﬃc is unacceptable. The issue surrounding HGV access is diﬃcult to address due to many

32 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 33 CyCLInG ACTIonS

The Trans-Pennine Trail is an important G Review the provision of a dedicated rail station amenity well used by cyclists and is a interchange, including increased parking. Timescale real asset to Penistone, particularly - Long term. for tourism (see the tourism section for further detail). The road network G Co-ordinate some of the bus services with the

in Penistone however, does not existing train timetable to improve connectivity to encourage the use of bicycles in the Penistone and surrounding villages etc. Timescale – town centre, due to the lack of cycle Short term. lanes and the concern from cyclists about safety in the area. The chart The chart below shows where cyclists biggest G Provide a minimum of three carriages for all rail cbelow shows where cyclists biggest concerns lie. journeys to and from Penistone to reduce

overcrowding until the frequency of services is Cyclists Main Areas of Concern improved. Timescale – Medium term.

Penistone centre specified (21) G Maintain and improve community transport for Penistone centre general (10) people with limited mobility. Timescale – Medium Criticism of drivers (3) Criticism of cyclists (12) term. Lack of cycle lanes (11) G Potholes/Poor road condition (16) Provide more permanent SID’s in the region, as a popular measure to improve road safety. Timescale 0 5 10 15 20 25 – Short term.

G PARKInG An additional crossing on Market Street would greatly beneﬁt pedestrian safety and this is an issue to be pursued with the local authorities. Timescale

Parking is nearly always an issue for town centres and – Short term. Penistone is no diﬀerent. With the growth of the town, G Investigate how to eﬀectively restrict HGV access to putting in a suitable amount of parking is necessary to serve people visiting the the town centre to more suitable times of the day town. However, one of for local residents. Maybe a review should be carried the biggest issues is land out by PTC for a solution to this. Timescale – Short availability near the term. centre. G A review for cycling access / lanes, to encourage The questionnaire shows people to cycle more in Penistone and to make

us succinctly that 76% of cycling awareness amongst drivers a high priority, respondents would not be particularly in the town centre. Timescale – Short prepared to pay for term. parking, even if it would mean more spaces and G Further investigation into the possibility of better enforcement. increased parking in Penistone, or to possibly provide park and ride services to the town, so that This was backed up with the retail sector can be further supported in the 57% of respondents believing that Penistone does not centre of Penistone. Timescale – Short / medium need more traﬃc wardens. term.

34 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 35

‘Never’, which shows that these facilities are used by a very high percentage of respondents:- SOCIAL & Indication of Use - Often & Occasional LEISURE as % of Total Responses

The Showground (67%) In this section people were asked questions about the The Library (75%) type & location of facilities they use for St Johns Comm Centre (75%) sports & leisure activities, what The Market (91%) activities they take part in, what The Paramount (95%) facilities outside of our area The TPT (96%) they use, whether or not they 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

would be interested in growing their own food and ﬁnally what Showing that these facilities are used by people across play areas they take their our area and not just from Penistone itself the balance

children to & what their opinion of usage is shown as follows:- is of the play equipment in those areas. Indication of Use - Often & Occasional - Split As befits our rural location on the edge of the Pennines and in close fit with the results from the ‘Penistone the Place’ section most of these The Showground Penistone, 57% Remainder, 43% survey results were somewhat predictable, some were The Library Penistone, 56% Remainder, 44% confirmation of earlier comments about our area and a St Johns Comm Centre Penistone, 57% Remainder, 43% few were somewhat surprising, although in a sense also The Market Penistone, 53% Remainder, 47%

indicating a strength of feeling about a particular The Paramount Penistone, 53% Remainder, 47%

subject. The TPT Penistone, 52% Remainder, 48%

Even those facilities with a lower level of usage showed

SPoRTS & LEISuRE ACTIVITIES that a signiﬁcant number of local people use them, as

shown here:-

The multiple choice question was posed ‘How often do Indication of Use - Often & Occasional

you use the following facilities and the top six responses (from just under 7000 responses) were Skate Park (97) unsurprisingly:- Springvale Community Gardens (132) Bowling Club (125) Indication of Use - Often & Occasional Leisure Centre * (236)

The Showground (650) Grammar School (214) The Library (752) Penistone Pool (180) St Johns Comm Centre (753) 0 50 100 150 200 250 The Market (971)

The Paramount (1008) Note : The ﬁgure for ‘Leisure Centre’ is before the The TPT (1012) transfer to a Community Group who now run this under 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 the banner of “Sporting Penistone”.

The penultimate question in this sub-section related to Perhaps more telling is the analysis of the ‘Often & the activities that people undertake when using local Occasional’ usage against total responses including

Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 36 37

GRoW youR oWn Food but 61% expressed interest in some form of a

‘grow your own’ scheme.

This is an area that has not seen a great deal of Some comments included:- growth in our area, despite features on “would like to take part but can’t for television highlighting the success of schemes in health reasons . . . . my disability prevents North Yorkshire. me from taking part . . . . interested (in However, a reasonable level of interest was all above) but don’t have the time . . .” expressed with 629 respondents indicating (in This tends to suggest that the majority of 1028 responses in a multiple choice question) interest comes from the upper end of the age how they would like to see this come about:- range and may include working families, who Of the 1028 responses 39% expressed no interest believe that they do not have the time.

Grow YYouour Own - How ?

Allotment Plot (21.1%) Community Garden (7.8%) On-Street Scheme (6.3%) Garden Share (7.0%) Landshare Scheme (5.6%) Other (13.4%) Not interested (38.8%) facilities and, as would be expected, the results range widely from “blood donating & volunteering” to the more common “walking / running / cycling, cinema & shopping”.

From the 749 respondents to this multiple choice question, 1879 activities were indicated, with walking / running / cycling top activity with 22.5% of the total, cinema at 14.5%. Dodworth Almost half of the activities indicated make up was 3rd placed at 65 responses (8.2%). The approximately 80% of the usage showing that remaining responses included Cannon Hall & the key activities are well supported. Cawthorne Park and other wide ranging comments. Finally, the survey asked people to state where else in the area they go to if they are using sports From the above the conclusion is drawn that the & leisure facilities outside the Penistone area. majority of venues & facilities in the Penistone 565 people entered multiple choice answers and area are well used and are held, with reference 790 responses were made. Although not broken to the ‘Penistone the Place’ section, in high down individually, 260 responses (33%) listed regard by local people. It is hard to draw up an “other sports centres / swimming pools” as a action plan in this area except to place destination against only 68 responses (8.6%) for continued emphasis on these venues & facilities the Barnsley Metrodome. The private gym at so that future usage remains as high.

38 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 39

“not enough for toddlers . . . not safe . . . . . more CHILdREn’S PLAy AREAS challenging equipment for the over 10’s . . . .

equipment for disabled children to use . . .”

In total 370 respondents ticked ‘applicable’ and When asked what areas outside of their immediate area answered the multiple choice question that asked people used, 141 respondents gave a total 192 whether their children used play areas (and which ones) responses as follows, highlighting the popularity of Oxspring:- in the Penistone area, whereas 637 ticked ‘not applicable’. Other Play Areas Used

The results were as follows:- Unspecified (6) Childrens Play Areas Used Further afield (3) Rotherham / Clifton Park (5) Youth Clubs (4) West Yorks (7) Wentworth (27) Barnsley / Elsecar (9) Waterhall Park (10) Wentworth (15) Unspecified (9) Near Penistone (18) Thurlstone (23) Thurgoland Park (2) Sheffield venues (19) The Showground (111) Cannon Hall (16) Springvale (34) Locke Park (13) Skate Park (20) Oxspring (81) Silkstone (3) School Land (4) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Oxspring (103) Other (5) To further emphasise the above answers the survey Millhouse Green (6) asked how far people would be prepared to travel to Hoylandswaine (17) Greenacres (19) take their children to a play area which meets their Football Field (24) needs. The answers are, alone, somewhat surprising Cubley (41) but in the context of the full survey section, 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 understandable.

When asked if they were satisﬁed with the type & How Far Would YYouou Travel for Good Play Areas amount of play equipment the answers were slightly

biased towards satisﬁed, with 334 responses as shown:- ()

Satisfaction with Play Area Equipment

Satisfied (55%)

Dis-satisfied (45%) Considering that some 49% of people would consider

travelling more than 3 miles to ﬁnd more suitable play equipment underlines the perceived issues with the

Of the 150 responses expressing dis-satisfaction the existing stock.

suggested improvements listed included at 51% a

request for updated / more / equipment in bigger play l Actions e s e g areas; 14% requested a clean-up of the existing sites and

other comments mentioned improved access, shelter and referred to diﬀering needs for disabled children G Look at how we can strengthen and improve our (9%). social and leisure sector, either though collaboration

40 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 41 r e i n

i v t

t n

(joined up services) with existing facilities, or from this plan. Timescale - Short term. LoCAL SERVICES – HEALTHCARE a total of 247 (21%) indicated they were not by outside investment to bring improved satisfied with dental services in contrast with a G Also, work with local facilities to offer SERVICES & SoCIAL InTEGRATIon leisure facilities to Penistone, so that people much lower level of dissatisfaction with other support and advice on growth and ideas for do not need to travel outside of Penistone, services: growth, i.e. It seemed popular from the and so that we can attract more people into In Penistone there are two NHS doctors’ survey to have a cafe facility in the Library. A total of 21% of the 1172 questionnaire Penistone. Timescale - Medium term. practices, a NHS Healthcare centre, one NHS Timescale – On-going. respondents said they would like to be involved dental practice and one private dental practice. in the future development of healthcare services G Look into a Penistone Leisure Card. Similar to G Work with BMBC Planners to try to ensure Barnsley hospital is the nearest to Penistone but delivery in Penistone. shop local scheme, but aimed to boost the that new building developments provide the Sheffield hospitals are also used by social and leisure sector. Timescale - Medium Penistone residents. There is currently a patient participation group adequate play equipment as well as green term. at each of the doctors’ surgeries in Penistone so space. Timescale - Long term. In the initial public consultation events there the mechanism for people to be involved in G Local Council to play more of a part in were very few comments on healthcare, G Assess why certain play areas such as developing healthcare services is already in regenerating/stimulating/coordinating this however, from the responses to the question place. However, there appears to be a lack of Oxspring have been successful and how do “Are you satisfied with the support and access important/popular sector. Timescale - Short Barnsley hospitalawareness is the nearest of to this Penistone facility but andthe Sheffield also of other term. they keep the park safe and clean. Timescale to the varioush healthcare services?” it is clear facilities providing healthcare related support in – On-going. that there is concern regarding the accessibility Penistone for which an Action Item is in place G Assess possible growth areas. Ask local social of dental treatment in Penistone. One resident G under Wellbeing for Older People. and leisure facilities to propose business Investigate possible site for such a project commented: cases for growth improvement, and provide and look for financial partners/investors, When asked if there are any doctors/ healthcare funding – from any commercial successes in such as an on-site coffee shop/cycle hire services which were difficult to get to there were 95 responses, 74 of which were identifiable to the private sector as a result of actions taken centre? Timescale - Medium term. their neighbourhood: The results indicate that in the outlying villages, there is a problem with access to healthcare services. In particular, Hoylandswaine where 20 of the 113 (18%) respondents living there stated that they had difficulty. One Hoylandswaine resident commented: One resident commented: “Bus service pretty much nonexistent”

“Dentist – why should we have to go In Penistone there are a variety of facilities and

to Kirklees?” activities, many of which are suitable for older people, and some of which are speciﬁcally for From the 1172 respondents of the questionnaire older people. We asked the question of older

Dentist (21%) Hospital (11%) Dissatisfaction With Healthcare Centre (7%) Local Health Services Doctors (5%)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Location of Residents with Difficulty Getting

to Doctors / Healthcare Services

Penistone (4%) However, tHoylandswaine (18%) Springvale (4%) Cubley (4%)

Millhouse Green (8%)

Thurlstone (10%) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

42 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 43 In particular, Hoylandswaine where 20 of the 113 (18%) respondents living there stated that t One Hoylandswaine resident commented:

We asked the question of older people i From the 485 people who answered t

One Hoylandswaine resident commented:

people if they took part in any local social or interest group activities. From the 485 people who answered Exercise activities (27%) 12 15 this question and stated they were over 40 a total We ofasked the question of older people i From the 485 people who answered Arts & Crafts (24%) 9 15 t68% said they did not participate in any activities. Volunteering (15%) 7 8

A total of 339 respondents gave their reasons for not Coffee morning (13%) 5 8 participating: Lunch club (11%) 4 7 Preferred Activities - Totals Reasons for Non-Participation Games sessions (6%) 3 4 Male Other (4%) 2 3 Female

Unaware of activities (42%) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Not interested (38%) Health problems (17%) There is already provision in Penistone of most Actions

Mobility problems (13%) of the activities listed above thus the problem Other (11%) appears to be the lack of information about No one to go with (9%) these activities in the community. G Explore the possibility of setting up a group

Too far away (4%) of young people to become involved with When we asked people with a health problem if Venue access problems (4%) the elderly community. Timescale - Long they had adequate support a total of 49 051015202530354045 term. responded negatively, of which 24 gave their The main reason given for non-participation was lack of reasons for their response: G Approach NHS Primary Care Trust (or its awareness of the available activities. replacement) for increased provision of NHS Again, whilst the above reasons were When asked if there were any facilities for older people summarised from the many diverse comments dentistry in Penistone. Timescale - Long which were difficult to get to there were 64 responses received, the major issue appears to be the lack term. of which 54 over the age of 40 were identifiable to their of information of what is available in Penistone. G Set up a group of volunteers (ideally from neighbourhood: The final wellbeing question for older people those who returned the volunteer forms Location of Residents Over 40 who have was to ask if they felt that they had a good circle from the questionnaire) to compile, maintain of family and friends within the community. It and publicise all the available activities in Difficulty Reaching Facilities for Older People was rather sad to see that 70 respondents felt Penistone. Timescale - Short term. Penistone (4%) that they did not benefit in this respect. G Hoylandswaine (13%) Surprisingly, many of the questions aimed at Encourage the bus companies to improve Springvale (2%) older people were answered by a small number services in the outlying areas, in particular Cubley (9%) of the under 40’s, and indeed by several 18-25’s. Hoylandswaine. Timescale - Medium term. Millhouse Green (11%) Thurlstone (3%) Therefore, there may be potential to bring the generations together if a suitable group were 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 established. The responses regarding older people

having difficulty in reaching facilities Reasons Given by People who Thought they had confirm the problems of people living in Inadequate Support for Health Problems the outlying areas identified earlier when asked about access to healthcare. Accessibility provision (8%)

Hoylandswaine again recorded the Isolated/Struggling to be heard

highest proportion of problems; 14 of the (25%)

107 (13%) respondents over 40 living there Local support for carers (12%) stated they had diﬃculty. Difficulties for the deaf (13%) A total of 232 respondents over 40 answered the question – “Would you like Nothing locally/Lack of info (25%) more opportunities for social gathering at a speciﬁed list of activities” Dissatisfaction with NHS (17%)

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ENERGY EnERGy EFFICIEnCy There are many measures that can be taken that reduce With regular price rises for gas, electricity and fuel, energy usage in domestic and commercial properties. energy efficiency is high among the agenda for people The issue with energy efficiency in properties is that of the Parish of Penistone with 77% of respondents in most of the measures available are individual to each favour of a plan to promote energy efficiency. property and are covered under government schemes and grants, and therefore there is not much that the When asked the multiple choice question of what the community can influence with regards to the financing

energy plan should include the most popular was energy efficiency improvements. What the community energy efficiency, followed renewable energy and then can do is to increase their awareness of the type of transport. The total of 1918 requests were:- energy efficiency measures that are available and the

schemes that are there to help Energy Plan Contents Until recently there were many diﬀerent government initiated schemes and grants which include Energy Efficiency (612) improvements such as roof and cavity insulation. This disjointed approach did not help in improving the Renewable Energy (549) change that government hoped for. Following a review Transport (396) in 2012 the government launched a new initiative on 29th January 2013 called the Green Deal which replaced Environmental Requirements all the previous initiatives (and combined any new ones) (293) under one umbrella. Other (68) The Green Deal works by having an initial assessment

on a property, which then produces a report of what improvements can be done and produces an estimate As well as energy efficiency the community was asked if they would like to be involved in a renewable energy of the cost and loan calculation to pay for the scheme where income generated would benefit the improvements. The difference with the Green Deal to other schemes is that the loan is connected to the gas community and 68% of the respondents expressed an and electricity supply and therefore paid for through interest. utility bills. Renewable energy is a hot topic at the moment with As well as improving individual properties there are most people in agreement that we need to change to schemes available to use the collective buying power of renewable energy but some of the options such as wind the community to negotiate better prices for the supply farms split peoples opinion, with comments such as:- of energy such as gas and electricity. There are a number of recent successful schemes saving the cost “Definitely no wind farms” of energy for people and businesses and Penistone But also ...... could do the same.

“Make best use of wind as there is never a Whether the same could be done for petrol and diesel windless day in Penistone” is still not clear. There have been schemes for buying

oil where communities rely on this for the heating but The energy efficient measures for transport are the only schemes to help with cost of petrol and diesel schemes such as car sharing, promoting less car use and have been community owned filling stations and they promoting cycling usage. Actions relating to such have had varying degrees of success. This does not schemes noted in other sections of this plan and mean that this should be discounted but it will need therefore and not covered in the Energy section. further investigation if it is to be of benefit.

46 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 Penistone Community Led Parish Plan 2013 47 REnEWABLE EnERGy community schemes in the UK in the last few years. SUMMARY Communities such as Penistone can play a big Solar power part in the drive to change to renewable energy. Penistone Town Council is grateful to everyone who There have been various community run Solar power would need to come from a took the time to express their views at open days and schemes throughout the UK, ranging from wind separate solar plants or solar panels on high in particular to those groups and individuals who have farms, solar plants, biomass and hydropower community properties. There have been helped to compile this plan. A full list of those is shown numerous community projects throughout the schemes. The main issue with renewable energy in ‘Acknowledgments’. UK and there is also evidence to suggest that schemes is that they are driven by the type of This Community Led Plan will be made available for higher altitudes can increase solar power gains. renewable energy available. As noted earlier reading through Penistone Library and the Town there are a lot people against wind farms but we Council Offices. Copies will be sent to the majority of have plenty of wind in Penistone. Actions relevant partner agencies referred to in it, including local schools and community groups. Regrettably, we The renewable energy options available are cannot print enough copies for each household to have listed below:- one. G Employ a local consultant who specializes in Wind Farms renewable energy to produce a report on the Having read through the CLP we hope you will have energy options available to Penistone with realised how much effort has gone into the research & Wind farms use the power of wind to drive wind estimated costs and outputs for each viable preparation of this document and how much more turbines and are most suitable to areas of high option. Timescale - Short / medium term. work is to be done over the next five years. A recurring ground. Although they are courted in theme throughout the whole of the responses to the controversy they cannot be discounted and G Formation of a steering group to produce an questionnaire is the lack of knowledge of the facilities need to be reviewed as part of any plan. energy plan / guidance document on energy available in Penistone. This is an issue that may be efficiency. Timescale - Medium term. capable of simple solution. Bioenergy G Formation of a steering group for a We can only achieve the aspirations and ideas expressed in this CLP if we work together. The Town Bioenergy is renewable energy made from renewable energy project in Penistone (this Council alone cannot progress all the ideas & actions biomass, which is organic material derived from could be the same group as the energy plan this CLP has inspired, we need your help. plant or animal matter. This can be wood or a separate group). Timescale - Short / ACKnoWLEdGmEnTS chippings, waste food and even farm wastage medium term. If any of the actions suggested in the various sections and could mean that the energy source would interest you, if you wish to help and be part of an action have to be bought. G Investigate local collective energy usage Penistone Town Council is pleased group to try and move matters forward then please tell schemes - these schemes use the collective to acknowledge the help of the us – our contact details are on our website at following:- Geothermal buying power of a community to negotiate www.penistonetowncouncil.gov.uk and are also listed better rates of gas and electricity from Rural Action Yorkshire below. Geothermal energy is stored in the form of heat Representative:- Amanda Kent suppliers. Timescale - Short term. It can’t all happen at once but we can, if we try, make beneath the Earth’s surface. There are only a G Members of the Public:- Alastair steady progress and, together, make a difference to small numbers of sites where this is possible in Start an Energy Efficiency community Delooze, Jan Hendley, Christine Penistone – our town, our community, our way of life. the UK and it would require a comprehensive challenge - get as many people / children as Wood, John Beardwood, James possible to join in a community challenge on Thank you. study to determine whether Penistone is a Hardy, Martin Burton, Christopher suitable site. energy usage and with prizes for the best North. results such as solar panel installation or other renewable installations from local Penistone Camera Club members. Penistone Town Council Hydropower St John’s Community Centre suppliers. This would be a good fun way of Ordnance Survey for OS Map Church Street Hydropower is generated from the power of promoting awareness of energy efficiency. Reproduction Penistone S36 6AR flowing water or waves. This would have Timescale - Short term. potential as the river Don passes through Derek Hattersley & Son, Printers Tel : 01226 370 088 Penistone. There have been various successful for Graphic Design E-mail : [email protected]

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