Froyle Village Design Statement xxxx 2014 Village Design Statement Introduction
What is a Village Design Statement? How was the Froyle VDS produced?
A Village Design Statement (VDS) is a Key elements of the VDS include: Consultation with village residents for the community document which captures the VDS was combined with that of the Parish local characteristics and qualities that the • Design related planning guidelines Plan, commencing with a meeting in the people of a village value. The VDS provides • A pictorial and descriptive record of the Village Hall on 3 February 2011. Out of the guidance to developers, councils, residents current state of the village. many volunteers attending the meeting, a and applicants seeking planning approval • Extraction of important planning related number of project groups were formed to for development within the parish views of inhabitants of the village. take forward various Community Planning boundary. activities, working alongside the Parish Given the recent changes and relaxations Council. These comprised an overall A VDS is not a statutory document, but is in national planning constraints, coupled Steering Group chaired by Michelle adopted by East Hampshire District Council with reductions in East Hampshire District Essenson, the Parish Plan (PP) Group, VDS as Non-Statutory Planning Guidance and Council planning department budgets, the Group and a group to focus on the will be considered alongside their Local importance of the VDS as a clear development of the Former Treloar School Development Framework. As such, it has a expression of Froyle residents views will site. (For a more complete record of the real influence. Development proposals must increase. consultation process, including village pay particular attention to the District meetings, statistics and key individuals, Council’s Countryside Design Summary and please refer to the Froyle Parish Plan, the VDS. This has been illustrated across Appendix II). the district, most significantly in Selborne where the Selborne VDS was instrumental The VDS Group met regularly during the in the rejection of a developer promoted comprehensive consultation period, which site at the Local Plan Inquiry. The Local ran from March 2011 to July 2012. During Planning Inspector stated “The VDS rightly this phase, the group focused on ensuring identifies the open spaces in the village as that there was VDS relevant consultation important…” and on researching and defining the form of the VDS itself. Following the completion The VDS however, is not about preventing of the consultation period and subsequent change, but managing it and initiating it in analysis of results, the VDS group turned the most constructive way for the to focus on document production, after a community. brief pause to allow for the Parish Plan to be published and adopted. Work to complete the document began again in earnest during the Autumn and Winter of 2013, with final drafting and village input being completed during Spring 2014.
Froyle Village Design Statement date Contents - TBC
Section 1: VILLAGE AND COMMUNITY Section 4: TRANSPORTATION LINKS Introduction Roads The Village of Upper and Lower Froyle Footpaths Upper Froyle Parking Lower Froyle Traffic Calming Street Lighting and Signage Section 2: LANDSCAPE SETTING Public Transport Overview Design Guidelines Topography and Watercourses Landmarks, Views and Open Spaces Biodiversity and Vegetation DESIGN GUIDELINES Design Guidelines
Section 3: SETTLEMENT PATTERN, CHARACTER AND APPENDIX 1 - Consultation Process BUILDINGS Settlement Pattern APPENDIX 2 - Sustainability Development of Lower Froyle Development of UppertFroyle APPENDIX 3 - Local Plan Policies Potential Development Areas Building Form Size, Shape and Building Massing Materials and Building Components Design Guidelines
Froyle Village Design Statement date
SECTION 1 Village and Community Village and Community
Introduction
The parish of Froyle lies approximately four The area has been settled since the stone More recently 2003(?) saw the construction miles north-east of the market town of age. The archaeological record includes of six houses on the site of the old wood Alton and 6 miles south-west of the flint tools, a Bronze Age barrow, the yard in Upper Froyle and in 2010 several Georgian town of Farnham. It lies alongside remains of a Roman villa or homestead, houses in Westburn Fields were replaced the busy A31, the main road connecting Norman earthworks and a medieval cross. by Drum Housing Association as the first Guildford and Winchester. The parish has step in a renewal programme. two main settlements: Upper Froyle which The village is mentioned in the Domesday has grown up round the Church and the Book and there is evidence that the A feature of recent years has been the manor house and Lower Froyle which pilgrims way between Winchester and trend to enlarge properties thereby developed from a series of farms running Canterbury passed through the area diminishing the stock of smaller, less along ‘Froyle Street’. In addition there are avoiding more difficult terrain closer to the expensive homes. two hamlets: Yarnhams in the north of the valley bottom. parish and Mill Court on the south side of In 2012 Lord Mayor Treloar School which the A31 close to the River Wey. had occupied many of the buildings in Parts of the church date from the 14th Upper Froyle since 1956? moved out Upper and Lower Froyle lie at the foot of century and the manor house, Froyle launching a period of major change for the rolling chalk downland as it descends to Place, from the 16th century. The large village. A number of houses were sold to the Wey Valley. The 18th century traveller number of houses in both villages private owners. Froyle House is currently Arthur Young described the route through constructed in the 18th century suggests being converted to apartments. On the the valley, between Farnham and Alton as that this was a period of particular main campus site to the south of Ryebridge the fairest 10 miles in England. This is prosperity. These properties along with Lane and to the east of Hen and Chicken prime agricultural land. The concentration those of earlier and later periods Hill, Froyle Place/Gaston House is being of large houses in the area hints at the contribute significantly to the converted to a hotel/country club. Other wealth farming generated. In the middle character of Froyle. buildings are being converted to residential ages wool was the main industry but by use and 60 houses of varying sizes are the 17th century farmers had shifted to 20th century building has been largely being constructed for completion by 2016. cereal production. Wheat was the restricted to Lower Froyle. A row of It is anticipated that the population of the principal crop supplemented in the 19th Edwardian semi-detached houses were village will rise by approximately 200. This century by hops for the brewing trade. The built in the north west corner of the will more than double the size of Upper parish extends to about 4500 acres of village. Westburn Fields was constructed Froyle. which approximately half is owned by the after the war and a row of bungalows Froyle Settled Estate. The population is along the northern edge of the village in variously calculated at around 600. the 1950s. Bamber Close was constructed in the 1970s as part of a lowcost housing scheme.
Village and Community Village Design Statement The Village of Upper and Lower Froyle
Although Upper and Lower Froyle are physically distinct, separated by a tongue of downland, residents have always considered themselves to be a single community. This is symbolised by the decision to erect the war memorial at the Beeches midway between the two villages.
Lower Froyle has the Village Hall and the Recreation Ground. Upper Froyle has the Church. Both villages have pubs: the Anchor in Lower Froyle and the Hen and Chicken in Upper Froyle. Both villages contain listed buildings. Upper Froyle is an archetypal ‘estate village’ while Lower Froyle has developed around a string of farms. Upper Froyle has a settlement boundary Lower Froyle does not. In neither village is there any active farming.
Despite the differences, this feeling of oneness still exists as evidenced by the Parish Plan. The enlargement of Upper Froyle presents a number of challenges not least the degree to which it will be possible to integrate so many newcomers into the existing community always assuming they wish to be integrated.
A central planning consideration should therefore be the need to make decisions which will help consolidate the community rather than allow it to separate into two or perhaps three parts.
Village Design Statement Village and Community Village and Community
Upper Froyle
Upper Froyle was designated a Conservation Area in 1976 and includes most of the village. Upper Froyle is described as a dispersed linear settlement with an attractive mix of two storey 18th and 19th century buildings including small labourers’ cottages, barns, oast houses and substantial dwellings. These alternate with fields and meadows providing fine views into and out of the village. Walls of various heights are another important feature which provide a degree of unity to the village appearance.
Approaching from the A31 the land rises gently to the north. The principle buildings include:
Village and Community Village Design Statement Froyle Manor House: a large red brick St Mary’s Church: there has been a The old Treloar School site has been Queen Anne house with a well preserved church on this site for over a thousand renamed Froyle Park. The listed buildings interior containing many original features. years. The present Church was built and the original 1950s school building are between 1300 and 1350 for the nuns of St being converted for residential use. In Froyle House: a smoothly rendered three Mary’s Abbey in Winchester. The church addition a further 56 houses and flats are storey building dating from the 1820s contains a fine collection of historic under construction. replacing a much older building. The house vestments collected by Sir Hubert Miller the has been converted to apartments and a last Lord of the Manor of Froyle. Sir Hubert Between the main campus site which is number of houses are to be built in its also collected statues of the saints which being developed and the A31 there is a grounds. There is a walled garden which he installed in niches in many of the village large area of parkland which is rented out lies outside the settlement boundary where houses. Thus Froyle is sometimes known for grazing. In recent years the Alton development has been successfully as the village of the saints. Agricultural Show has been held here. resisted. At West End Farm there is a business and Froyle Place/Gaston House (now Post Office Cottage: contains 15th, 16th light industrial park housed in old farm renamed Froyle Park): a substantial and 17th century additions. buildings. The area has been subject to a building dating from the late 16th century number of planning applications including containing original doors and panelling Blunden’s Farmhouse and Cottage: one for the recycling of wood waste. along with evidence of later restyling in the timber framed buildings of 18th century Farming activity ceased in 2013. There is Georgian and Victorian periods. It has fine origin. concern that should all the farm buildings gardens and views to the south. It has be converted for light industrial use it will been converted to a hotel/country club A full list of Froyle’s listed buildings can be make the return of agricultural activity (2014). found on page XX. much more difficult. There are a number of 18th and 19th century cottages including ‘The Barracks’ which was reputedly built by prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars.
Village Design Statement Village and Community Village and Community
Lower Froyle
People have lived in and around Lower Froyle right back to the Stone Age. A substantial Roman villa has been discovered at Coldrey on the south eastern edge of the village while Norman remains have been found elsewhere. The village developed along the meandering Froyle Road around a series of five farms: Brocas, Husseys, Sylvesters, Hodges and Rock House. Farming in the village however has long since ceased. The Catholic Church and the Methodist Church have also disappeared. Both the shops and the post office have gone. The Anchor on the eastern edge of the village is the remaining public house. Of the many ponds only one remains. However the village rejoices in many listed and non- listed houses and barns some dating back well into the middle ages. A conservation area was established in 1995. As in Upper Froyle buildings and fields, hedges and walls alternate apparently randomly giving the village much of its character. There is no settlement boundary.
Village and Community Village Design Statement The only significant intrusion is a row of A third turning, Ryebridge Lane, leaves the Barnfield Close was built in the early 1990s bungalows built in the 1950s along the conservation area and links Lower Froyle to provide 12 low cost houses for the northern edge of the village. Until recently with Upper Froyle. To the east is the Village community. these were single storey with relatively few Hall and recreation ground. The hall was first storey windows looking towards the built in 1984 to replace an older wooden Six hundred metres to the north of Upper conservation area. The bungalows have building and has recently been modernised. Froyle lies the Renoun Quarry. Licensed in settled comfortably into their plots but any It serves as a community centre for the 1944 for the extraction of chalk for attempt to replace them with taller whole of Froyle. Activities at the hall agriculture it was much enlarged in the buildings should be resisted. A new house include a weekly coffee morning, art and 1970s when a huge amount of material was built several years ago to replace the keep fit classes, various clubs and was extracted to provide foundations for chapel and fits in well with surrounding societies, quiz nights and film nights, fund the A331. The effect on the village was much older cottages. More recently a raising events etc. There is a car park for considerable. Little chalk has been taken in substantial new house opposite Sylvesters 24 cars. A challenge for the hall trustees the last two decades. At the time of writing farm replaced a small Victorian cottage. will be to extend facilities to meet the there is a plan to construct two houses in Elsewhere the trend to enlarge properties needs of new residents in Upper Froyle. the quarry and to convert the northern continues. Planning fashions change. In portion of the quarry where it abuts some instances extensions are all but Beyond the recreation ground lies ancient woodland into a nature reserve. indetectable. More recently care has been Westburn Fields an estate of XX former taking to ensure that the extension is council houses now in private ownership or clearly visible. managed by a housing association. A number of timber framed houses standing There are two no through road turnings of in large plots have recently been replaced Froyle Road: Husseys Lane and Park Lane by a much larger number of units both of which contain listed building. increasing the housing density. Parking remains an issue here.
To the west of Ryebridge Lane is Brecklands built in the late 18th century as the poor house and subsequently converted into three cottages and more recently into a single dwelling.
Village Design Statement Village and Community Village and Community Village Design Statement SECTION 2 Landscape Setting Landscape and Setting
Overview Topography and Watercourses
Froyle lies in the Northern Wey Valley, Open spaces between the pockets of Froyle nestles on the edge of a well characterised in the East Hampshire settlements within in the village make for defined chalk ridge which runs north east Countryside Design Summary as a 'Low an uncluttered feel and afford pleasant from Alton, rising to 220 metres above sea lying area to the north east of the District, views over farmland and woodland. The level at its highest points near Yarnhams largely underlain by gently shelving A31 runs through the south eastern quarter and towards Golden Pot. Open rolling Greensand.' The landscape around the of the parish as does a section of the Alton arable landscape surrounds the village, village is a rural farmed landscape, with to London rail line. At a more restful pace sloping gently south east to the valley of rolling chalk hills and a backdrop of the River Wey meanders through Froyle the River Wey at around 80 metres. To the woodlands which feature largely in most of forming part of the boundary with Binsted north and west are areas of substantial the fine views and provide habitats to many at Mill Court and Isington. woodland, with deeply cut dry valleys of our rarer species. Tree lined lanes running through chalk downland. A leading into Upper and Lower Froyle greet pronounced finger of high ground, known the visitor entering this historic rural Parish. as Saintbury Hill (165m), lies between Froyle sits alone, and not linked to the Upper and Lower Froyle. other villages by roadside housing. [Photo of Saintbury hill, or River Wey]
Arable Farming, Forestry and Game birds form the main land use locally. Livestock farming is greatly reduced from former days but sheep and horses are still a feature in the landscape around the village. The soil varies in depth between a few inches in some of the local chalkpits, to a few feet in the valleys. Clay, flint and greensand are common around the village. [Photo of Arable] .
Landscape Setting Village Design Statement Watercourses In the village, the seasonal Ryebridge stream gathers spring water which bubbles up in fields in Upper Froyle and feeds down to the River Wey at Quarry bottom. The Wey is a chalk stream which meanders through wet grazing meadows in the south east of the parish, forming part of the boundary with Binsted on its way from Alton to the Thames. “Here is a river with fine meadows on each side of it, and with rising grounds on each outside of the meadows, those grounds having some hop-gardens and some pretty woods.” William Cobbett 1823 [Topographical map with Saintbury, Wey, A31, Woods]
Ponds The Tithe map of 1845 showed 20 ponds, of which only 6 remain today, the largest being at West End Farm and Coldrey. Three new wildlife ponds were built at Isnage in recent years and are vibrant with damselflies and dragonflies. [DN: Needs checking]
Village Design Statement Landscape Setting Landscape and Setting
Landmarks, Views and Open Spaces Views Surrounding Froyle is a rural farmed Many roadside dwellings sit amidst In a recent survey of village residents, landscape, with rolling chalk hills and generous plots which back onto farmland, beautiful views and vistas were the most woodlands which feature in most of the fine this together with the spaces between valued Countryside attribute, by 86% of views. The layout of the settlement offers houses defining the street pattern. respondents. A few of the best views within many opportunities for far reaching views Parish include: outwards to open countryside. Looking back into the settlement area reveals buildings nestling in the valleys and fitting naturally into their surroundings.
Perhaps the most significant landmark within the parish is the War Memorial, set high on the bank near the top of Saintbury Hill.
Landscape Setting Village Design Statement (i) The footpath on top of Saintbury Hill looking down to Lower Froyle in the north and Upper Froyle to the south. Highest point 165m.
(ii) The top of Husseys Lane looking in all directions - Bury Court and Farnham, Binsted and Alice Holt. North and west woodland and farmland.
(iii) The cross- field path linking Hussey’s Lane to Well Lane, overlooking Lower Froyle.
(iv) From Breakneck Hill south eastwards to Isnage, Bentley and Alice Holt.
(v) Holybourne Down towards Alton and beyond.
(vi)The view into Froyle from the Mill Court - Isington Lane across to Upper Froyle and Froyle Park.
Village Design Statement Landscape Setting Landscape and Setting
Biodiversity and Vegetation In the Village Broad scale farming has overtaken much of The recreation ground is the main public the land around the village, but a variety of open space, Froyle has no wild common natural life can still be found: land and the village pond is privately owned. The cemetery and churchyard hold Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation a few different species in the uncultivated Twelve woodland and four calcareous old grassland which is kept mown. They are grassland areas provide homes for many of pretty in spring with snowdrops and our scarcer plant and animal species and primroses, and a few cuckoo flower in the have been designated Sites of Importance damper patches. for Nature Conservation (SINC’s). Many of the plants and some creatures found on Poultry and Beekeeping has seen a revival these SINC sites occur nowhere else in in the past few years and at least seven Froyle because of their specific habitat gardens are open under the national requirements and are dependant on garden scheme each summer. Hedges and sympathetic habitat management for their walls form most garden boundaries fronting survival. One of these is the ‘Small Blue’ onto the lanes, many of the walls are brick butterfly which only occurs in The Quarry or brick and clunch, (malmstone) believed (regenerating chalk grassland) breeding on to have been quarried locally and some Kidney Vetch, the most north easterly colony were built by prisoners from the Napoleonic in Hampshire. war. (Some of the walls are quite imposing such as Highway House and Froyle Place). Hedgerows contribute greatly to the Parish’s biodiversity and all have their own characteristics.
Landscape Setting Village Design Statement Along the lanes and roads In the Woodlands Away from the settlements, narrow tree Many of the woodlands of the Parish fulfil an lined lanes, many single track wending important role in supporting biodiversity and through the Parish are characteristic, with some of them were surveyed in 1989. The Oak, Holly and Beech commonly most interesting results of this survey were encountered and also Field Maple and Ash. Aspen Poplar in Gaston Copse, the Soft Along the Ancient tracks and Sunken lanes Shield Fern in Spollycombe Bottom and the keen observer will notice a variety of Violet Helleborine and Forster’s Wood-Rush plant life. Hedgerow shrubs such as in Hawkins Wood. Hawthorn, Sloe, Spindle, Wild Privet, Hazel, Wild Roses and Bramble provide an Landmark Trees autumn harvest for Birds and small Amongst the many landmark trees seen mammals. Herbaceous plants include from public footpaths and roads are the lone Hart’s tongue Fern, Sweet Violets, Cedar standing like a sentinel in arable land Celandine, Nettleleaved Bellflower, Yellow on Saintbury Hill, another in a copse next to Archangel, Lords and Ladies, White Bryony, the War Memorial. Old standard Beech trees and Garlic Mustard on which the Orange are a feature growing on some of the wood Tip Butterfly will lay her eggs. banks. Perhaps our most ancient trees are coppiced ash stools in north east Froyle Remnants of grassland flora, which for probably over 400 years old. Other key centuries covered the steeper hillsides, landmark trees include: The large Scots now long gone, cling to some of the open pines –near Silvesters, is home to a small banks, Field Scabious, Cowslips, rookery. The large oaks lining the Hen and Knapweed, wild basil but they are not Chicken Hill. The Lime walk footpath off Gid commonly seen. Red Kites (photo) are Lane toward Froyle Place. Churchyard Yews. seen regularly and many other birds visit Large Wellingtonias line a section of gardens to feed, bathe and some to nest. boundary in north east Froyle, no doubt Brown Hares chasing across the arable planted soon after they were introduced to fields is a fine sight. Trees often overhang Britain in the 1860’s. or meet overhead to create a tunnel effect [Photo of large Beech tree in ??? Wood – as in Well Lane. check with Jenny] [Photo of Barn Owl, or Hare]
Village Design Statement Landscape Setting Section 2 Design Guidelines
a) The form of the existing settlements e) The archaeological heritage of the Parish k) Any development proposal should not should be maintained and respected. should be protected from development adversely impact on mature native trees Developments which would materially that would harm it or its setting. or hedges that contribute to the character alter the existing shape and layout of of the settlements and wider views. Tree the villages, or result in the creation of f) Key views of the surrounding countryside and hedge preservation orders must be new public roads, should be resisted. from and into the settlements should be respected. With the exception of the Treloar School protected from development. site, small developments may be l) Developments should be of a size and appropriate for affordable housing in the g) In any development, the importance of scale that do not dominate any part of the right locations. the streams, the spring line and natural settlements, adversely affect their drainage patterns which support key character, or their relationship with the b) Countryside gaps between Upper and wildlife habitats should be recognised and countryside. Lower Froyle, between Lower Froyle and protected from harm. Improvements to Bentley, and between Upper Froyle and wildlife habitats should be sought the A31, should be protected from wherever possible. development, such that the Settlements within the Parish of Froyle retain their h) Developers should be strongly encouraged separate physical identities. to take steps to improve biodiversity. Any adverse impact on the natural c) Infill and brownfield developments environment should be minimised. within settlement policy boundaries Compensatory measures to offset harm to should be of a comparable density that the natural environment should only be does not adversely impact on existing accepted as a last resort. form of the local area and any development that would make the i) The rural edge of the settlements should settlements more prominent in the be maintained by native planting on any landscape should be resisted. developments.
d) Outside of the settlement boundary, policies j) Open spaces and green corridors that relating to development in open countryside contribute to the rural feel of the should strictly apply. settlements should be retained and enhanced wherever possible.
Landscape and Setting Village Design Statement SECTION 3 Settlement Pattern, Character & Buildings Settlement Pattern Character & Buildings
Settlement Pattern
The Parish of Froyle is essentially rural in development of the area has resulted in a character, comprising scattered farmhouses mix of housing types and sizes, including and other buildings, to form the two an element of affordable housing for local settlements of Upper and Lower Froyle. The people. This mix of housing types is felt to surrounding countryside is a mixture of contribute positively to Froyle as an area fields, woodland and chalk downland with and the Survey supported the idea that occasional farmsteads, of a group of any new development should maintain a cottages and barns. good range of housing types.
The rural nature and character of the area There are existing Conservation Areas is something that respondents to the covering both Upper and Lower Froyle, The Lanes Village Survey believed to be important and which in both cases identify the significant should be preserved. The settlement number of important listed buildings Both villages are set out along a lane, that pattern of both Upper and Lower Froyle is situated in both areas. In planning terms, winds its way through the village and reflective of the different ways in which Upper Froyle has a defined settlement provides the structural spine to the these areas have developed: Upper Froyle boundary, whilst Lower Froyle and the settlement pattern. In both cases, there evolved around the church and the manor surrounding areas are designated as open are sections of single track between high house, with predominantly larger buildings countryside. hedges and walls that form clear boundary situated on their individual plots, whilst definitions. Except for isolated stretches, Lower Froyle grew up around the individual The Village Survey strongly supported the there are no footpaths and no streetlights. farms, and has a more diverse range of idea that the size of the village is a key building sizes and types. There have been factor in how the area successfully Generally, the lanes are flanked by a single small pockets of newer development within functions as a community and this should line of buildings. The lack of ‘backland Lower Froyle, developed in the post –war be factored into any development development’ and the large gaps give period and in a more suburban style, decisions. At the same time, there was views across the fields - key elements in however the rural character and feel of the recognition of a need for more affordable the rural characteristic of the village. area has to a large part been maintained. housing, particularly for local people. It was noted that the former Treloar School In both cases, working agricultural fields sit site would have a potentially significant interspersed with buildings and groups of impact upon the area, and had the buildings, and many properties benefit from opportunity to provide a number of new views across open countryside. The gradual residential units, together with associated facilities.
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement The Development of Lower Froyle
The form of Lower Froyle belies its origins around the farms of Brocas, Husseys and Sylvesters. These and later farms still discern the layout of the buildings around farmyards, even though some of the original fabric has gone and many have changed use.
Between these farms there are a range of later 17th and 18th century yeomans houses, each arranged to front the road, typically set back on their generally irregular plots. Ancilliary barns and outbuildings are arranged at right angles, often running down to the road, bringing a diversity to the village street.
Buildings from 19th and 20th centuries are often grouped in discernable developments - small terraces or ranges of houses with regularly arranged plots long the road. Key: Barnfield Close and Westburn Fields are two 20th century examples, arranged in Building ages suburban cul-de-sacs either side of 17th century Ryebridge Lane. 18th century 19th century In both Upper and Lower Froyle, the gaps 20th century between houses provide an important element of the overall character. These 21st century stem from their agricultural heritage, the Listed buildings fields between the original farms, that Farrnsteads prevents Froyle from becoming a totally suburban ribbon development.
Village Design Statement Settlement Pattern Settlement Pattern Character & Buildings
The Development of Upper Froyle
Date: Upper Froyle has its origins in the Manor Froyle CP 1610-- 2013 Scale: House and Froyle House which, together 1:5286 Map Centre - easting / northing: with the Church are the oldest dwellings in ©rowC n copyright and database right. llA rights 754 745 / 142957 reserved 10005( 3494 ) 2013 the village. Although they have undergone © Contains Ordnanceurv Sey ataD : rowC n many modifications over the years, the copyright and database right 2013 layout of these buildings, their parkland, walled gardens and ancilliary buildings, still provide the structure of the main part of the village to this day.
As with Lower Froyle, there are some fine, later farm houses, set back on larger plots fronting the road, with barns and stables arranged around them, creating diversity to the road frontage. Blundens House and Farm is just such an instance, with a range of barns and stables still discernable even though now in several different ownerships. Similarly, the buildings of West End Farm are set out around a large yard in agricultural grouping, even though many original barns have been replaced and the Key: whole now converted into modern work places. Building ages 17th century Treloar School that dominated Upper Froyle 18th century in the 20th century, has now been 19th century converted to housing that retains the school 20th century geometry, set out around the Manor and Burnham House. Although not a natural 21st century extension of the village, this development Listed buildings is designed to fit in with the conservation Farmsteads area, with a diverse arrangement of plots at Manor House the perimeter and carefully arranged internal courts along Ryebridge Lane.
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement Potential Development Areas
Upper Froyle did not receive as many 20th In recent years Froyle has seen significant century additions as Lower Froyle, with developments that had the potential to only a few isolated dwellings and Beech change the nature of the village. These Grove, a cul-de-sac of five houses on the required special measures over and above site of a former sawmill. the normal planning process.
To the north of Upper Froyle, the scattered In the case of the Treloar development, cottages end at the steep rise to Saintbury design guidelines that related to the Hill, with a wooded gap between the two specifics of the site, were drawn up with a villages that maintains the key distinction stakeholder group and widely consulted between Upper and Lower Froyle. upon, ahead of the site disposal. Any further such development, or Key Characteristics developments in then open countryside, should be considered for a similar process Both villages display key settlement in order to define the particular patterns that underpin Froyle’s unique characteristics and design guidelines that character: apply, beyond the scope of this document.
The lanes: winding, clear boundaries, no footpaths, no steetlighting, discrete car parking
Scattered settlement: clear gaps, views across fields, single line of houses, non-ribbon development
Diverse building arrangements variety of frontages, gables and verges, buildings at different angles and heights
Distinction between the villages clear gap at Saintbury Hill, Hen & Chicken Hill, Highway House.
Village Design Statement Settlement Pattern Settlement Pattern Character & Buildings
Building Form
Development over the centuries has framed construction, often with brickwork The statues of Saints in Upper Froyle are a resulted in a varied mixture of building infill panels is common, and plain clay tile unique and specific feature and many styles. From the 16th to 19th centuries hanging is occasionally used on walls, houses in both Upper & Lower Froyle have there are clusters of brick houses, some of especially at first floor level. datestones. Other features include plain which have been painted, with tiled or brick or malmstone walls with brick thatched roofs mainly in the Conservation Weatherboard cladding is common on capping, and small neatly trimmed hedges Areas, and larger Georgian dwellings on agricultural buildings, some of which have and trees which demarcate the private substantial plots. Interspersed with the been converted to residential or ancillary areas from the public domain. These above are terraces of smaller houses either use. visually link the buildings and assist in of brick or flint with slate or plain tiled giving unity to the village’s appearance. roofs, including some with painted walls Roofs are mainly clad in either clay tiles or and tile hanging. thatch, with occasional use of slate. Other The results of the survey indicate strong details such as projecting brick courses at support for the use of local materials and More recent development has seen the eaves level, traditional half hipped roofs, designs in keeping with existing varying architectural styles employed, and dormers and gabled roofs, all contribute to architectural styles. paying varying degrees of respect to the the village character. established character of their location. There are some good examples of contemporary architecture using traditional materials. In other cases modern materials have been used which are inappropriate to a rural environment.
Throughout the area, however, there is a predominance for two storey dwellings, generally of facing brick construction having pitched roofs covered in slate, thatch or clay tiles. Some rendered and painted houses exist throughout the village.
A wide range of materials is used in the village, varying from local orange / red brick to local malmstone. Some of the stone work is regularly coursed in blocks and some are random. Traditional timber
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement Size, Shape & Building Massing
The character of the settlements and the Traditionally, buildings presented their Roof form is also a key feature, with most buildings within it are distinctive to the longest elevation to the highway would be buildings having pitched roofs, with ridges area and generally considered an of limited depth. In many cases, such parallel to the highway; many roofs also being attractive feature which is much valued. buildings have been extended rearwards hipped or half hipped. Roofs are often broken by As a consequence, new buildings, or to provide additional depth. There are also dormer windows, although these are often changes to existing buildings, which are many cases where buildings originally relatively small in size. out of keeping with what already exists created as one dwelling where have the potential to disrupt the existing subsequently divided, and often returned The relationship between adjoining or character of the area. to a single dwelling at a later date. The neighbouring buildings is important to providing ability of building to adapt and evolve over a degree of balance and harmony, with varying Most buildings within the parish are time is a positive feature. roof heights and orientations providing contrast relatively low, with few buildings greater and variety. than two storeys (excluding roofspace). Variations in height do occur where there are variations in floor to ceiling heights.
Village Design Statement Settlement Pattern Settlement Pattern Character & Buildings
Materials and Building Components
The palette of materials used in the parish Roofs have traditionally been thatched or reflects the nature and availability of tiled, with tiled roofs of a relatively steep materials available in the area historically. pitch using locally sourced clay tiles in a Fired clay bricks (locally orange/ red in reddish-brown colour palette. The slightly colour) predominates, although often bowed shape of tiles helps create a more broken up with exposed timber framing or interesting and pleasing roof form, other features. Tile hanging is often used particularly over large areas. More recent on upper storeys and locally sourced buildings have often used natural sale laid malmstone is another common material. to much lower pitches. The extensive use Timber weatherboard cladding is also of plain man-made tiles and slates tends to used, particularly for outbuildings. look out of place in the context of existing buildings. Many brick walls have subsequently been rendered which provides variety, provided the colour is of a traditional and muted tone.
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement Chimneys can provide an interesting feature to many buildings and help break up roof lines. In addition, small design features, such as gutter brackets and date-stones can make an important contribution to the overall appeal of a building.
Windows and doors take many forms, but it is the attention to detail in ensuring that the style reflects that of the building of which they form part which makes for a more pleasing overall appearance. Likewise porches, of which there are many and varied types in the parish, can add positively to a buildings character, provided they are designed in a sympathetic style using appropriate materials.
Village Design Statement Settlement Pattern Section 3 Design Guidelines
a) All development should give due f) The fabric and setting of buildings of j) Depending upon the setting and visibility of consideration to existing EHDC planning local historical importance or which are the site, exceptionally innovative buildings of policies, the established Conservation otherwise important in the street scene a bold contemporary design may be Areas and the settlement policy should be protected. Only in exceptional appropriate provided their design is of high boundaries. circumstances should proposals for their quality and they are fitting to the locality. demolition be accepted. b) Development of the former Treloar k) Building design should encourage a safe School site should follow the adopted g) Planning policies to protect the two environment and seek to mitigate crime Development Brief. Conservation Areas should be strictly through passive measures and good design. applied. This should include preserving c) Industrial or commercial development original features and detailing, and l) The need for buildings to be energy efficient that could lead to significant adverse employing sensitive decoration, signing and and reduce emissions is important, but impact on the rural character of the lighting. This should include development in should be undertaken in a manner parish should not be permitted. areas which overlook or impact on the consistent with the design guidance. Conservation Areas. d) The bulk, scale, form and use of m) Design details are important and can be materials of any new development h) Building design should respect and enhance employed to impart interest and character to should be designed in a way that the character and distinctiveness of the building design. For example at eaves level, respects the quality and character of the settlements. Where appropriate and feasible corbelling, possibly incorporating dentilation local environment and neighbouring a variety of traditional building materials and or cogging can form an attractive feature in properties. detailing should be used. Materials of local brickwork. distinctiveness, such as brick and clay tiles, e) Piecemeal & backland development should be used. should be discouraged. It is essential that any development complies with i) Buildings should retain a scale (normally one policy and does not risk or two storeys) in keeping with the existing overdevelopment, overlooking or built environment and respecting adjacent overshadowing, loss of amenity or properties. daylight to existing residents, harm to the character of the village, access and traffic problems or drainage issues.
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement External Facing Materials Roofs & Chimneys Doors and Windows a) Where facing brickwork is used in new a) Roof sizes should not appear to a) In Conservation Areas and on Listed developments, traditional & local dominate the building or the Buildings, the style and materials used in orange/red is preferred. In any case, surrounding area. Roofs should ideally any extensions or in replacements of doors extremes of colouration when be double pitched or hipped with pitches and windows should be to the same design compared with other brickwork in the of 45-50 degrees for clay tiles and 30- and in the same materials, using similar vicinity should be avoided. Large 40 degrees for slate. Mansard roofs are constructional techniques as the originals. areas of plain brickwork should be generally not appropriate. b) Elsewhere, doors and windows should reflect avoided. The use of local malmstone b) Thatched houses should remain so. the style in which the building is mainly is also an acceptable building c) The use of large-scale concrete roof tiles constructed and materials and colours material. or modern slates should be strongly should harmonise accordingly. The careful b) Traditional timber weatherboard avoided. use of glazing bars can help to retain a well- cladding is also an excellent d) Flat roofs are unlikely to blend in designed look to a new window. alternative, particularly for non – successfully and should therefore be c) Large areas of glazing capable of reflecting residential buildings and ancillary discouraged. light should not be applied to buildings buildings such as garages. e) Dormers can be used to reduce the situated in exposed positions, especially on c) Tile Hanging can successfully be used overall impact and appearance of height hillsides. on the upper storey of new dwellings of any new building but care should be to relieve the effect of large un- taken in the detailing and spacing of Garages and Car Ports adorned single coloured brickwork. such elements. a) Where a new garage or car port is to be d) Plastic or other man-made materials f) The addition of chimneys can help break constructed, it should not be sited so as to as cladding on elevations should be up roof lines and should be retained on dominate the existing building or intrude too strongly discouraged. existing developments and included in much on the plot. In general, the materials new buildings. to be used should be similar to those employed for the main building. b) Where new garages are permitted they should be retained for that purpose only and not be sited in a prominent position or in front of the dwelling. Applications for change of use of an existing garage to additional habitable accommodation must include provision for parking.
Village Design Statement Settlement Pattern Section 3 Design Guidelines
Extensions & Additions External Areas Lighting & Signage a) Extensions to existing properties should a) For drives and forecourts, gravel and a) All shops or business signage should reflect the original building’s bonded gravel are the preferred conform to the East Hampshire District characteristics, be in proportion to the treatments. Block paving can look Council Standard, be modest and rest of the design and of a traditional suburban and out of place in a rural respect the village conservation area design and format. Where a more setting. and rural environment. contemporary design approach is b) Traditional five barred gates are b) Neon signs and internally lit signs considered, this should be of high appropriate but the over-elaborate use should not be permitted quality and make use of traditional of wrought iron and imposing pillars can c) Localised lighting should be the materials. look out of place. minimum required for safety reasons b) Porches should be recessed or braced c) Low brick or stone walls and native and be of a type and design appropriate slate or plain clay tile canopy. The many hedging are acceptable means of to the settlements and a rural and varied porches are one of the delineating boundaries. As is a environment. delights of Froyle. combination of the two. Brick walls d) The addition of further areas of street c) Particular regard should be paid to the should ideally be capped with half round lighting should be resisted in order to design, scale and siting of bricks. High hedges are unacceptable so maintain the existing night time conservatories to ensure they do not care should be taken over the species environment. impinge on the wider landscape or planted. The use of close board fencing e) Floodlighting of commercial premises, impact adversely on the street/ should be avoided. car parks and sports and leisure countryside scene. facilities, including golf ranges and equestrian centres, which adversely impact upon the rural environment and wider landscape should be resisted.
Settlement Pattern Village Design Statement SECTION 4 Transportation Links Transportation Links
Upper and Lower Froyle comprise a small A number of the lanes are dead ends and rural village with narrow winding lanes, should not be used by vehicular traffic for often single track with passing places, anything other than access. Increased use located off the busy A31. The lanes and by- of the lanes by vehicles for recreational use ways in and around Froyle are well used by would be a serious concern to residents pedestrians, recreational walkers, riders and resisted. and cyclists and their safety is a priority. Footpaths Roads There are a number of footpaths and Access onto and off the A31, particularly bridleways around the village. These are but not exclusively, at the Hen and Chicken very important to residents who use them junction is very dangerous with a extensively for recreation, including dog proliferation of road signs, changing road walking, allowing these activities to be layouts and poor control of parking around safely conducted without having to walk on the petrol station and public house. the lanes. The paths give access to the Hampshire County Council (HCC) have surrounding countryside and much of the recently reconfigured the junction with the social interaction of the village takes place aim of improving safety. in this way. The village continues to seek to create new footpaths and any proposals to Increased traffic movements on Hen and close footpaths would be resisted. Chicken hill and through the village as a short cut to destinations to the north, both during the Froyle Park development and thereafter with the additional inhabitants, is a concern to the existing residents. These concerns were brought to the attention of EHDC and HCC during the Froyle Park public consultation process and were recognised in the planning consent. Strict governance of the planning conditions is required to manage this issue.
Transportation Links Village Design Statement Parking
Most of the houses in the village have off- road parking. Given the narrow lanes and not inconsiderable volume of traffic, consideration of any new planning applications must include the provision of sufficient parking relevant to the size of the property. In some circumstances, the provision of additional parking above the HCC standard might be considered.
There are a number of locations in the village including the two public houses, the Church and the Village Hall, which can attract significant amounts of extra traffic and parked cars causing a hazard for other road users. The use of private drives and wider stretches of the lanes are important as passing places which should not be obstructed by parked vehicles or bollards being placed in too close proximity to the road boundary.
Village Design Statement Transportation Links Transportation Links
Traffic Calming, Street Lighting and Public Transport Signage Public transport links through the village The lanes through the village are mostly The breakdown of the road edges and are limited and this makes it very difficult without any pavements or street lighting, verges has generated an increased number for non-car owners and young people to and many blind driveways, with speed of potholes which, without attention, get about. The only public transport regulation throughout set for built-up areas extend and deepen with continued traffic through the village is a twice weekly bus (30 mph). Although traffic volumes are not flow and winter weather conditions. service which provides a valuable facility to great, except in the morning and evening residents who wish to shop in Alton. The rush hours, traffic speeds at any time of day Modern signage is considered by residents Alton to Farnham bus passes close to the or night often exceed the 30 mph limit to look out of place and ugly. Many of the village with stops at the Hen and Chicken creating dangers for other road users, existing signs are broken or decaying and and at the A31 exit to Bentley for Upper pedestrians and those manoeuvring their can be hidden by vegetation particularly in and Lower Froyle respectively but both of cars in and out of driveways. The Village summer. In some instances signage that these require a lengthy walk for village Survey results indicated that 53% of would direct through traffic back onto the residents. residents would be in favour of some traffic A31 is missing adding to both the volume calming measures being implemented. of traffic and size of vehicles seeking The nearest railway station is at Bentley alternative routes. The Village Survey some three miles away, with services to The number of courier delivery vans appears results indicated that 77% of residents Alton and London Waterloo. A number of to be on the increase further adding to were against any increase in the use of residents use this service as a daily congestion with vehicles parked at the road signs in the village. commute while others travel during the day roadside while making deliveries. At certain for entertainment and shopping. The main times of the year, there are a significant Although the lack of pavements and street problem at Bentley station is a chronic lack number of movements of industrial scale lighting can make it hazardous for of parking as there is no public transport agricultural vehicles through the village pedestrians to walk about the village and access is by private vehicle or pre- which increases the need for driver caution especially after dark, street lighting is booked taxis. The pressure on parking at and unrestricted access along the lanes. The considered inappropriate and light pollution Bentley station is likely to be exacerbated increased number of heavy goods vehicles creates an annoyance for residents. The by new housing developments in the passing through the village suggests that Village Survey results indicated that 58% surrounding villages including Froyle Park the lanes are on sat nav routes. Heavy of residents were against the introduction although a recently opened extension at goods vehicles create additional hazards to of further “urbanisation”. Any proposals to nearby Alton does provide additional local road users and, along with the increase street lighting would be resisted. spaces. agricultural vehicles, damage the road edges and erode the verges as additional passing places are created.
Transportation Links Village Design Statement Section 3 Design Guidelines
Traffic Management Bridleways and footpaths Parking a) Developments should seek through good a) Footpaths and bridlepaths should be well a) All new developments must have design, to reduce rather than increase maintained along with gates, styles and sufficient off road parking relevant to the volume and speed of traffic through signposts. the size of the property including in the village. b) Sunken lanes should be protected: some cases consideration to parking b) In the case of commercial planning policies to protect ancient above the HCC standard being developments, lorry movements should tracks and lanes should be strictly considered. be proportionate to the road system, applied. In particular, efforts should be b) Off road parking is preferred to the strictly controlled and managed to have made to reduce traffic pressures and creation of laybys. the minimum impact on the village. avoid road improvements that would c) Where parking is provided for numbers c) All developments must prioritise the alter their character or impact upon of vehicles, this should be well designed safety of all road users including biodiversity. Tracks and lanes that are and screened. pedestrians, riders and cyclists. not metalled should remain so. d) Any building work must address the d) Measures to control vehicle speed c) Rights of Way should not be parking of builders’ vehicles in their should avoid using visually intrusive extinguished unless acceptable planning application. methods such as speed humps and alternative routes are provided. excessive use of signage. More d) Where possible, and in consultation with Public Transport appropriate and subtle measures, such local landowners, consideration should a) All new residential developments must as surface treatment changes and be given to expanding the network of take into consideration the impact on natural width restrictions are considered footpaths, permissive routes and the demand for public transport. more appropriate. bridleways. e) Development which significantly increases traffic through the village or puts additional pressure on the A31 Hen & Chicken junction should be resisted. f) Proposals for developments that increase the level of ‘urbanisation’ including street lighting and footpaths will be resisted. g) Proposals to discourage and restrict the use of the lanes by HGV’s would be welcomed.
Village Design Statement Transportation Links APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 - Consultation Process
APPENDIX 2 - Sustainability
APPENDIX 3 - Local Plan Policies
Apppendices Village Design Statement Appendix 1 Consultation Process
Step 1 – Getting Started Step 2 – Establishing the Steering Group When establishing our Steering and Working Groups we took care to ensure that our The Village Design Statement (VDS) project The next couple of months were focused on community was represented in terms of factors finally got off the starting line in early 2011 establishing the steering groups for both our PP such as age, gender and personal circumstances with the looming prospect of the Treloar School and VDS. This included role assignment, setting e.g. young family, single household, retired etc. site sale and redevelopment helping focus up a bank account, and agreeing a constitution We also looked at people’s linkages with key people’s minds and energies. We kicked off with and child protection policy with EHDC. The main village groups: For example: Parish Council, a launch meeting in our Village Hall on 3 Steering Group (SG) brought together our three Village Hall Committee, Church, & Toddler February 2011. Despite it being winter, 126 separate projects: Our Parish Plan, the VDS and Group. We also gained parental permission for a people turned up and the hall was packed to a group of residents focusing on the planned 16 year old to work with the SG as required. capacity. It really was a case of standing room Treloar site redevelopment. We were able to only and even that was at a premium. Of make a good start as we had gathered some In parallel with our village activities, Glynis course, it may have been the attraction of the initial information at the February meeting, and Watts (our District Councillor), established a delicious food and wine on offer! The aims of also had the results from our earlier 2009 ‘Like separate EHDC-led Steering Group to focus on the meeting were to outline the purpose, scope it/Hate it’ style survey. With the emergence of the Treloar site redevelopment. The group and potential value of both a Parish Plan and very broad consultation themes we established comprised people from EHDC, HCC, the Treloar VDS, and ask the residents to decide whether five working groups, all with representation on Trust and Froyle residents. The aim of this we needed to proceed with either or both the Steering Group. These concentrated on: additional Steering Group was: projects. The room overwhelmingly decided Community Life & Services (including youth); that we needed to proceed with both. 75 Traffic & Transport; Countryside & Biodiversity; The creation of a set of development guidelines residents expressed an interest to be directly Housing & Development; Business & which optimise the positive and mutual benefits involved and 29 of these said they were Communication. Linda Munday continued to to local people and the Treloar Trust in the interested in participating on the Steering support us at every stage by reviewing our redevelopment or re-use of the Treloar School Group. The launch meeting was supported with documents and policies and pointing us to site at Upper Froyle, with due regard to the presentations by Linda Munday, our EHDC useful process guidance materials such as ‘The environmental constraints. Community Planning Coordinator at that time; Parish and Community Planning Toolkit’. Doug Jones from Buriton, who shared his Unfortunately her post was removed and we Parish’s experiences; and Glynis Watts, our lost this support. Thankfully at this point, Jude District Councillor, who outlined the importance Simpson (Community Project Worker) was of a Parish Plan and VDS and gave her assigned to help us and shortly afterwards we commitment to supporting us throughout the were well on our way and self-sufficient. process – something she has been excellent at delivering.
Village Design Statement Appendix 1 Appendix 1 Consultation Process
Step 3 – Community Consultation b) The complexities we faced Using this as a base, we went through each Our consultation process was perhaps more record and removed details of people who had Including our preparation work, the consultation complex than others. We had the Parish Plan, died or moved away. We also deleted records for part of the process ran from March 2011 until the VDS and the Treloar site redevelopment residents who were in long-term care with no July 2012 and involved a series of different consultations all taking place in parallel. The prospect of returning to the village, and any consultation methods. redevelopment and our Parish Plan(PP) / VDS young adults who were using their ‘home’ are inextricably linked as within the next few address for electoral purposes but not living at We concluded our consultations with in-depth years the population will more than double in home or returning during university holiday youth and adult surveys. With the youth survey Upper Froyle. We need a Parish Plan that helps periods. We also added in any new or we achieved a 56% response rate (28 to make the impact of this a positive one. unregistered residents by working through maps respondents). With our adult survey (which also Consequently, we decided to combine showing each house in the village. Luckily we included parental views on the needs of consultation activities wherever possible. are a relatively small village and everyone teenagers and our 0 – 11 year olds), we are Assessments of resident input from the Treloar knows each other. This also helped us to write a delighted to have achieved a 92% response rate meetings was easy to achieve as we were list of names of younger people between the (369 respondents), making our Parish Plan truly supporting, participating in or facilitating these ages of 11 – 17 so that we could consult with representative of our whole community. An consultation events, and the village Treloar each of them too. overview of our consultation approach, methods group always met directly after each EHDC-led and main activities is set out below: Steering Group meeting. d) Initial Communication During May and June 2011, the Steering Group a) Communication c) Working out who to consult with and Working Groups worked on preparing The village magazine was made use of For our detailed consultation work (July 2011 materials to communicate the project across the throughout the project to keep residents onwards), we had the challenge of establishing village and to support our consultation process. informed about up and coming consultation the size of our Community and the name of We started our Parish Plan communications with events, progress and outcomes. It will also every resident. The census population data a small stand at the EHDC-led exhibition style remain the main vehicle for ongoing included the staff and children who had been consultation event in our village hall (June 30th communication on projects and implementation resident at the Treloar School. This inflated our 2011). The aim of the event was to invite progress. We also developed a Froyle Community population figures significantly. As we were residents to express their concerns and ideas Planning website. The site was immensely useful unable to obtain staff and children numbers relating to the Treloar site redevelopment. EHDC for the Steering Group during the planning and from Treloar, we had to deduce our own facilitators captured residents’ thoughts consultation phases of our project and we are population size. Hannah Smith (EHDC Electoral (primarily concerns) across similar themes to very grateful to Mark Phillips for initiating its Registrar Office) got us off to a good start by our Working Groups. Our stand helped to development. It is hoped that the ongoing providing us with the latest electoral register position this activity in relation to the Parish steering and project groups will use the site for (on condition it was only used for community Plan and VDS. At least 80 people came to this their own communication, and for project consultation purposes and that the data was meeting. updates to people who prefer this method to the protected at all time). magazine.
Appendix 1 Village Design Statement This communication was followed up with a The aim of each party and the open session Over a glass of wine and nibbles or tea and stand at our annual fete in July. The fete is one was to draw out thoughts in an informal and cake, party guests worked in small groups and of our most popular events and gave us an ideal friendly gathering where people would have gave their responses to the following questions, opportunity for us to continue our time to chat and share their views and for each of the consultation areas in turn. communication about the project. Here the opinions. Diversity of thought was welcomed emphasis was on helping residents deepen their and encouraged and all the different • What makes Froyle GREAT? understanding of the Parish Plan and VDS perspectives were captured. This was • What local problems are people aware of? projects. Display boards were used to give interesting at times with differing views on • What do we need in the future? people an overview of each of our 5 main topics several of the things people raised, for example • What would people like to see happen? and a small prize draw was used to encourage the desire and viability of a village shop and • What else do we need to consider? people to give their initial views and comments. ideas on how to deal with traffic related speed, • What else is important? We were still shaping our plan and the early volume and size issues. feedback and input helped with this. Resident input was recorded in a spreadsheet Each party was hosted in someone’s home. and once this part of the consultation process e) House Parties & Open Session in our Village Hosts were provided with a support pack and was complete, the working groups started their Hall had already gained experience of the process at analysis looking for both consistency and At the launch meeting in Feb, Doug Jones had previous parties. The support pack gave disparity of views and opinions across the whole told us about the Buriton ‘house party’ background materials to help set the scene and data set. The aim here was to identity the topics consultation method. Being a social village this answer any questions. It also provided a that needed to be included in the full village seemed to resonate with residents and we standard template on how to capture survey, planned for later in the process. To go decided to incorporate a similar approach into information and how to run the consultation back to the traffic related example given earlier: our consultations. After the fete the Steering part of the evening in ways that kept things Many residents expressed concerns about the Group and Working Groups turned their informal but having a structure to work with. speed, volume and size of vehicles passing attentions to these. Although every resident was Every party group used the same template to through the village and gave their ideas on how invited to a house party we also ran an ‘open record people’s views and opinions on each of solve these. Later on we used the survey to event’ in our village hall as an alternative. For our five key consultation areas - Community & understand the extent of the concern across the consistency, both consultation event types used Services, Traffic & Transport, Countryside & whole village and included the party-generated the same templates to capture residents’ Biodiversity, Housing & Development and list of possible solution options for thoughts. In total 146 residents took part in this Business & Communication. consideration. part of the consultation process across 21 house parties and the drop-in session. This part of our consultation work ran from July 2011 through to the end of November.
Village Design Statement Appendix 1 Appendix 1 Consultation Process
f) Treloar focused Consultations g) Youth Specific Consultations Once we had formulated our survey design and As already discussed, the Treloar School site sale Our youth consultations started back in 2010 an initial outline, we asked for support from and redevelopment was on the horizon at the during our first attempt at establishing a Parish Community Action Hampshire (CAH). Many start of our consultations and Glynis Watts had Plan project. This work was followed up with a thanks are expressed here to Joanna Dixon established an EHDC–led committee to formulate session at the youth club, before it was closed. (Senior Rural Officer) and Kirsty Rowlinson “Development Guidelines’ to provide a starting We also had a separate survey for our 11-17 (Head of Services). CAH reviewed our document position for developers on what was acceptable year olds and included questions in our main and gave suggestions for rewording a few for our village. On October 5th 2011 we ran a survey covering all ages from 0-17. Seven questions. They also gave advice on running a village-led, resident / EHDC meeting so that young people in the village were involved in the pilot. We included all their feedback and ran a residents would be able to see how their input development of the survey to ensure that the pilot with a broad cross-section of our had been incorporated into the draft guidelines style, tone and content were all presented in community (37 residents) along with a feedback and have a further opportunity to input and ways that would appeal to the age group. The process. shape these. EHDC incorporated the new input main survey also included questions on facilities and made changes wherever possible and the for children of all ages e.g. the play area and The survey was distributed in June 2012. final development guidelines were published and recreation ground. We also asked people to Following CAH advice on anonymity, a survey adopted by EHDC in April 2012. comment on these in relation to usage by and a separate contact sheet were sent to every grandchildren who come to visit and stay during resident on our database. Households had the In 2012 the main campus site was sold to NJG. A the school holidays or at weekends. option of completing the survey as individuals or further period of consultation followed including a sending in a collective household response. The village-wide exhibition style event on 22nd Nov h) Final Village Survey contact sheets indicated whether a return was 2012, and a village meeting on 26th Jan 2013. During the first half of 2012 the Working from an individual or household. The contact The Steering Group was very active at this time Groups used all the consultation data and sheets were always held separately from the and spent considerable time ensuring NJG developed a 16-page survey that went to every surveys and sometimes returned separately too. understood and made use of the Parish Plan & individual resident aged 18+ in Froyle. VDS Consultation results. These included Households had the option of completing the residents’ views on where and how any financial survey as a family unit if they preferred. contribution should be spent.
Appendix 1 Village Design Statement We encouraged survey completion in a number Step 4 – Plan Formulation of ways. Firstly we had the attraction of a prize draw at our 2012 fete. Every returned contact Over the 2012 summer holiday period the sheet was given a draw entry. We followed this survey data was entered into a database. This up by dividing the village up into about a dozen was a significant piece of work. Madeleine Black areas and a member of the steering group or and Sue Sharman managed the data entry another resident took on responsibility for process into a system designed by another chasing up returns. We took care to include resident, Mark Phillips. Luckily several young collection options that kept responses adults (Jonathan Knowles, Joey Saunders and anonymous - several letterbox drops, or using Robbie Macnabb), and a couple of residents the collection box in the village hall (a popular (Karen Potter and Ian Black), took on the bulk choice). We nearly gave up chasing once we of the data entry task and this helped had achieved a 60% response rate but thanks enormously. To ensure accuracy Madeleine and to encouragement from Kirsty Rowlinson and Sue checked every single data entry! Joanna Dixon from Community Action Hampshire we persevered and raised our For our data analysis we recruited the services response rate to an amazing 92%. of a database / spreadsheet expert, John Pomfret to work with Mark Phillips. John is a non-resident, who was happy to take on a community project on a fee-free basis. John created a spreadsheet workbook holding all the survey data, % calculations and other database queries. The spreadsheets were then analysed by the different working groups, and action plans and potential projects emerged.
Village Design Statement Appendix 1