Rushmere St Andrew Parish Plan 2010

RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN 2010 InvernessHumber Road Doucy Lane Sherborne Avenue Cranborne Chase st Dorset Close Dorset Close Wincanton Road r Road ddenham Road Fairline CloseLanark Road Kinross Road Sidegate Lane We Ay ChelsworthTu Avenue Useful contactsAngus Close Ely Road Sidegate Lane Moff Moffat y MelAlmer Close Bentley ett at Avenue re Sidegate Lane t Fife Road S Clerk to Orkneythe Parish Road Council Av Colchester Road Aberdeen Wa Renfrew Road re Belgrave CloseCemetery Lane Shetland Close Forfar Close e Tel 01473 711509 Troon Gardens enue hm Rushmere St Andrew MoffatMoff Avenue s Carlton Road Queensgate Drive GretnaTroon Gardens Gardens u Shetland Close R 5 at Clare Road Lancing Avenue Melrose Gardens Gardens KingsgateJean Drive Potter Cromarty Road y Colchester Road Av Assistant Clerk to the Parish Council enue Somerset Road R 01473Sidegate 723409 Avenue 63 Woodbridge Woodbridge Road Stuart Close Beverley Road 63 63 Terry Gooding Leopold Road Rushbury Close The Lawns Glenhurst Avenue Sir WilliamRopes Drive Court Howards Wa St Olaves Road The Whinneys Howard EmeraldAshdate Close Road Whitby Road sepocS daoR lk Athroll Mews Clerk to Rushmere CommonersWe Leopold Gardens Ly ad Quebec DriveThe Walk Rush Court ThrougBooth Lane h o Church Close HaywardsFriends Fields Wa Tel 01473 423566 Norbury Road on Close stbury Road R Sewell Wontner Close Mackenzie Drive St Olaves Road Wr rner Grove o rd Windrush Road Friends Wa Belvedere Road Tu Meadowvale Close o Roundwood Road Morecambe Court f Wainwright Way Herbert R Sidegate Lane ight Lane gh Meadowvale Close Bramley Close ay Police – SNT Kesgrave 31 Pl FletcherThrou Lan Harrison Grove Marshall Close LonsdaleLonsdale Close Close Tallboys Close StewartCardew Drift Brunswick Road Lonsdale Close Stradbroke Road The B daoR nosleN daoR Ropes DriveReeve Gardens MoorfieldArkle CourtCloseFentons Way Upsons Wa rt Hutland Road Jewell Local PCSO Vi Wo War ad lk Ro Fairbairn Avenue St Ma Stuart Close Bristol Roadctory Road ge Crawford Lane Dewar Lane venue Allington Close Roundwood Road rid CranewllCrawford Grove Lane Fairbairn A PCSO 3194Rushmere Mike Sarbutts Road Crofton Road Woodb lton Road DewarDeway Lane Lane Yo y Khartoum Road Lombard Court Edmonton Close Dawson Drift Parade Road Schreiber Road e Phoenix Road Rivers Street Reading Road Sherwood Fields ungSt Grove Isodores Bugsby Tel 0147366 613500 (999 Emergency)

Vi Knights Lane 66 teertS ybriK teertS Woodbridge Road d Banyard Close Dickinson TerraceHartree e Road The Drift Jupiter Road ew Wilding Drive Gordon Road Cherry Lane Gardens MeadKays Close Drive Smiths Place Boston Road y Randall Close ya W ecn erwRayment a L tS Drift Wa Crofton Close dfiel The WoolnoughsShelbourne Close Burnham Close Kirby Close Deben Valley Drive St Marys Road Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Dodson Vale SheppardsBrowns GroveBattles Lane W k snedraG yesaeP snedraG Gowers Close Holland Road n The LloydsGodbold Close

i Post Mill Close Howard Street Butler Smith Gardens St StAnthonys Anthonys Crescent Crescent Millfield Gardens Montana Road Century DriveElmers Lane JeavonsBrights Walk Spindler Close Rushmere St Andrew Anne PowellKennedy 01473 Close 383313 L Webbs Court Cauldwell Avenue Cauldwell evorG traeP Rowarth AvenueevorG den Belle Vu St Marys Road Crozier Mews Milton Street Stollery Close Tovells Road Ingelow Gardens Felix RoyClose Close Spindler Close Howlett afalgar Close Jennings Drift H La Lummis Vale Tr Oakstead Close Spring Road e Baird Grove Roberts Close Ashmere Grove Crime Stoppers Baird Grove Camborne Road Adams Place The Fishers a Baird Grove Curtis Wa CastleCastle Gardens Gardens e Springland Close t yesniK weiV Bull Drive Pepper Place Mandy Close h Curtis Way ThomasMilleniu Cr Tel 0800 555110 Masterson GroveBull Drive Terry Gar Trafalgar Close St Johns Court

Upland Road P Cox Close Curtis Way The left hand sign, erected 1980 beside the pond in Rushmere Street, depicts the figure of Bloomfield Street Alexandria Road R en Peasey Gardens zance Road QuantrillQuantrill Terrace Offord Close m yWo o Wilkinson Drive y Sunfileld Close Banthorpe GrovePepper Place Terrace Bartholomew Street Falmouth Close Nock GardensWa lk Cornwallis Close a lker Chase Wa St. Andrew as a Saint and as a Fisherman, the pond, rushes and ducks. A bronze plate recording the kio RoadRingham Road Starfield Close Goring Road Segger Wa ods Wa Thanet Road d Spalding Lane Wo Suffolk Coastal District CouncilStarfield Close To St John's Road Falmouth CloseBell Lane Curtis ods Wa Hall's Drift lker Chase

d a o R lla H lle w dlu a C

Crabbe Street event, with a short history of the name of Rushmere St Andrew, is fixed to the post together with the lk AshfieldTel 01394 Court 383789Cowper Street Risby CloseThe Driftway

WeymouthTolworth Road Road tfir D n ylle w elL enue The Garrards

Parish Council Motto ‘Seek the common good’. Glanville Place Vi Marlborough Road Av Glanville Place FinbarsFinbars WalkWa Freehold Road Te lk nnyson RoadSuffolk Coastal District Council PottersPotters Approach Approachew odvilleClifford Road Road Lansdowne Road Wo PlanningSt Aubyns Road enue RandolphWe Close The second Parish Sign, erected on 11 May 2002, is adjacent to the junction of Gwendoline Close Melville RoadDarwin Road Hillary Close Clementinestminster Gardens Close Fuschia Lane Kemball Street RoseberyWellesley Road Road Tel 01394Derby 444403 CloseAv Churchill Parliament Road Regina Close HarrowHenslow RoadClose

FuschiaAvenue Geralds Lane and Bladen Drive. The current site was originally intended as a temporary home until the Bixley Farm BackGrove Hamlet Lane Ruskin Road ChartwellEden Road Close

Faraday RoadSuffolk CountyChartwell CloseCouncil Development was completed. It may yet be relocated at some future date as it is on land owned by Gladstone Road Coronation Road Bixley Tel 0845 606 6067 y Devonshire Road Churchill y a Chater Homes. Each side of the sign shows a different scene with the Rushmere Water Tower as the Britannia Road W enue Foxhall Road Roy Avenue

Heath Road Cavendish Street s

Av Orwell Road centrepiece. UpperSuffolk Cavendish Trading Street Standards d

Pearce Road e Stanley n

iv a Celestion Drive l Dobbs Lane Tel 01473 264859 r

Rosehill Road To d

The Beeches D Bull Road

mline Road a

Consumer Direct – consumer related enquires y Rosehill Crescent o

Prentice Wa Ditton Way Camden Road r Dover Road e

l Alston Road Av B Tel 07894 138759Bull Road x Bishops Hill Alan Road Sandhurst Provian Court Fo enue x Bi d ha York Road ll Road Newton Road

ParishDerby Road Halls Booking Clerk CamwoodExeter Gardens Road Nacton Road Roa y Len Woods Tel 07894 138759 y a

e daoR dlei OsbornedaoR Road l W

daoR drawdE gniK drawdE daoR x l

e Felixstowe Road Bi Salisbury Road d

Levington Road u r Malvern Close A Beech Grove ftaH Ascott Drive

Elmhurst Drive Ramsgate Drive Broke Hall Hamilton Road Pretyman Road Cliff Lane enue

Murray Road Av Rushmere St Andrew and surrounds 1928 Lee Road Locarno Road Rushmere St Andrew and surrounds 2010 enue Severn Road

Clapgate Lane Sturdee Avenue Av Fitzmaurice Road Derwent Road St Leonard's Road Oulton Road Shackleton Road Wye RoadBeartrice Close Mersey Road St Davids Road Map data © OpenStreetMap Contributors, CC-BY-SA y Powling Road RansomeDrake Crescent SquareCollingwood North Trent Road Drake B Dereham Drake Square South u Ransome Road ck les Medway Road Queen's WayAv ham Avondale Road enue R Hulver Court o Rands Wa ad Norman Crescent Coniston Square 250 m BenacreNacton Road Crescent RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN introduction

This document has been produced by the Parish Plan Steering Group Committee. It is based on the questionnaire Contents sent to all households in January 2010, of which 693 households responded, giving a total of 1602 individual views. The questions for the Parish Questionnaire were compiled from the Village Appraisal for Windows software. Many appreciated the opportunity to be asked for their opinion. Unfortunately letters to local businesses and clubs History 2 produced no comments. Many residents though, expressed further opinions and these have been taken into account. The plan proposes actions and partners and identifies who is responsible for undertaking them. Further detailed information on the comments may be obtained from Brian Ward 01473 622272. Household and Personal 3

Rushmere St Andrew is situated between Ipswich and Woodbridge in the County of Suffolk, England. There is a page mixture of urban in the south of the parish and rural in the north with the A1214 as a dividing line between north Transport 4 1 and south. We still enjoy the peaceful countryside and the beautiful yellow gorse in the spring, just as in past generations. With the help of local people we have created a Parish Plan in order to preserve local features, look at future development of the parish, map out what we need to safeguard for the future, and set out issues that Housing 8 need to be tackled. Local Services 10 Acknowledgements Authorities 12 Thanks go to the residents who completed and returned the questionnaire, the volunteers who helped in the making of this plan and those who delivered the questionnaires and letters. Environment 16 The steering group would also like to thank Mr Griffiths and his staff at Broke Hall County Primary School for their interest, time and patience. Help and advice was obtained from Suffolk ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England). Leisure Interests 19 Sponsors were Rushmere St Andrew Parish Council, Suffolk County Council and Awards for All Big Lottery Fund. Young People 23 history RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

People have lived here for at least 1000 years, farming on the light soil, keeping pigs in the woods where they Bibliography obtained firewood and timber for their houses; and getting clean water from the streams. Rushmere – a mere or lake where the rushes grow. Rushes grew at the Decoy ponds in the sub-manor of Bixley, Parish Plans and the Planning System now outside the southern parish boundary. The Countryside Agency 2003/4 Survey of Suffolk Parish History The light sandy soil and rich loam were easy to work with ancient ploughs. Pre-1700 there was mixed farming of Suffolk County Council 1990 arable and livestock, later mainly corn and barley. Several hop fields were to be found near Bent Lane and Bixley Pocket Histories of Suffolk Parishes Yeoman Decoy Ponds. Since 1959 several farms have been developed into housing estates, though the north of the The Manors of Suffolk W A Copinger 1909 page parish remains as open countryside crossed by the railway line between Ipswich and Woodbridge. Mill Stream Local Nature Reserve Greenways Project 2 All the parish landowners, i.e. most residents, have had ‘commoners’ rights on the heath since 1881. Rushmere St Andrew Church and Parish Guide Roy Tricker 1983 In 1803 troops fighting Napoleon trained on the Heath, 10,000 of them in 1813. From 1814 to 1819 payments were made by the government for damage by troop activity. A plaque about this was set up in 1861 and can be seen on the wall of the Baptist Church in the village. Public executions included that of John Hodgson, 26, for highway robbery and defrauding the army of £600 by enlisting no fewer than 98 times and receiving payments but rarely performing any military duties. Thankfully, the gibbet which was located on the heath close to the present A1214, has long since been removed. The Saint Andrew part of the village name refers to the church which was built on Saxon foundations. In 1086 the church had 20 acres valued at 40 old pence. By the mid 12th century a stone church with Norman doorway had been built. In 1828 a large brick schoolhouse was built on the north side of the nave, attended in 1833 by 50 children. In 1861 the church was entirely rebuilt due to the fabric of the building being in a ‘ruinous condition’. The Tower contained six bells, two made in Ipswich in 1675, three made in London between 1426 and 1456, the last and sixth was made in London in 1885. The village pond is by The Limes, about a quarter of a mile east of the church. Beside it is the village sign erected in 1980, showing St Andrew’s Cross and the local ducks. Further east, just beyond Holly Lane, is the Baptist Church built in 1859 and nearby is Chestnut Pond. The first of the village halls (erected in 1921, rebuilt in 1991) stands in Humber Doucy Lane near the original village school built in 1846. The bell from the old village school is now housed in the entrance of Broke Hall County Primary School. On the opposite side stood Rushmere Hall built in the 1600s but reduced to a farmhouse by 1846. Humber Doucy Lane is now outside the present parish boundary and forms part of Ipswich. The workhouse known as Heathfields Poor Law Institution, built in 1898 stood on heathland near the corner of Woodbridge Road and Heath Road, which by 1912 housed 385 inmates and 17 officials. With the demise of the Poor Law system in 1930, it became the Ipswich Borough General Infirmary. Some of the buildings still survive as part of Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust. The old Tollgate, standing at the junction of Bent Lane and Woodbridge Road, was demolished in the 1930s. With the building of the large housing estate on Bixley Farm in the 1990s, a community hall was built along with a playground, nursery and shops. A second village sign depicting the water tower and the Common was also erected along Bladen Drive. RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL

What is our age and children under 17 years old 16% 49% male 51% female How we would like our parish to gender? 18-44 year olds 20% 48% male 52% female develop 45-59 year olds 21% 48% male 52% female 60 + 43% 51% male 49% female As a working community 16% overall an equal balance of 49.5% male 50.5% female As a retirement community 7% 6% are registered as disabled As a commuter community 4% To stay as it is 81% None of these 2% page Where do we live? North of A1214 28% South of A1214 72% 3

How long we have Under 5 years 14% 6-15 years 37% Business 16-25 years 20% 26-50 years 23% lived in this parish 75 respondents replied that they are in business. 51 + years 2% whole life 2% Predominantly they are in Financial/Professional services. The Community 15% The Environment 28% What is most There are also a number involved in Construction. important about The Location 52% Other/not sure 4% Rushmere St Andrew Most are sole trader but a few employ between two and three employees. On the question of encouraging businesses How is the quality of Better 9% Worse 21% to the area 27% were in favour of more jobs life compared to with the same figure in favour of small business 10 years ago? The same 48% Don’t know 21% developments over small industrial workshops and tourism attractions. The latter two options attracting significant opposition of 31% and 43% What is our Unemployed 2% Employed 36% respectively. employment status? In full-time education 10% Retired 43% Other 8%

How many have access to the Internet? 80% TRANSPORT 1 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Parking Problems Clearly the biggest problem with parking appears to be at school drop Consider the value/ Parish Council off/pick up times when parked vehicles obstruct pavements and verges desirability of additional Police causing great concern to local residents. This situation is also hazardous yellow lines in key areas to pedestrians. taking into account visitors to Suffolk County the residents. Council Highways Broke Hall School area and areas around Foxhall Road were the most frequently mentioned locations. Ask Police to increase page patrols of this area at these Broadlands Way, Bixley Drive and Beech Road/Mendip Drive were also crucial time periods using 4 mentioned, as were Chatsworth Drive/Claverton Way. their powers of enforcement A number of roads, in particular, around Broke Hall School already have where appropriate. yellow no parking lines on the roads and any additional lines would be meaningless unless those areas are effectively policed.

Residential Parking 48% of parishioners park their motor vehicles off road, with 38% using Ensure parked vehicles are Police an onsite garage. 3% park on the road. Only 5% of residents have not causing any hazardous difficulties with finding somewhere to park. 15% also reported problems or dangerous situations to with obstructed driveways. other road users and/or pedestrians.

Personal Ownership/ Average car ownership within the Parish is 1.5 cars/vans per household. travel to work 57% of residents use a car/van as their main means of transport to work/ training/study. 10% travel by public bus, 7% travel by bicycle and 5% walk. RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN Transport 2

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Public Transport Only 8% of residents use the local bus service daily although 26% use Additional services via the Parish Council it weekly and 33% monthly. Little daily use is made of other means of Hospital required. Suffolk County public transport. However, on a monthly basis, 28% of residents take the Improvements needed to Council train and 25% a taxi. reliability of service, timetable Ipswich Buses The problem here appears to be reduced bus service along with and fares. infrequent/no buses turning up when expected. Also there is a need for First Eastern more bus shelters e.g. Bixley Drive, Golf Public House. More local bus Counties page services should go via the Hospital. 5 The most frequently mentioned areas for improvement were, timetable (60%), reliability (52%) and routes (42%). 17% were dissatisfied with bus stop location and 9% with bus lane arrangements. There was some concern over disabled access (13%).

Speeding Traffic There are a number of issues relating to speeding traffic that cause great Police – regular enforcement Parish Council concern. Foxhall Road and The Street were the two main areas along and action taken against Police with Arundel Way, Playford Road, Beech Road/Mendip Drive, Bixley Drive persistent offenders. and Broadlands Way. Suffolk County Consideration of some form Council Highways It is clear that these locations, being important feeder and link roads of deterrent. within built up areas of Rushmere St Andrew are also used as ‘rat-runs’ Consider 30 mph painted on to avoid other congested roads, in particular the A1214 and Bixley Road/ roads. Heath Road. More 30 mph repeater signs and/or other illuminating displays were suggested to get the motorists to reduce their speed. TRANSPORT 3 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Danger Spots The perception of danger spots within Rushmere St Andrew is mainly Police: to deter Parish Council related to issues about speeding vehicles and inconsiderate parking. inconsiderate/dangerous Police parking by motorists. Foxhall Road was the most frequently named danger area with its sharp Suffolk County bends and the junctions with Arundell Way, Bixley Drive, and Broadlands Bring to Suffolk County Council Way. In particular cars parked inconsiderately on bends, approaches Council – Public Transport to junctions and roundabouts, too close to corners, at the top of a hill attention. Ipswich Buses page near to shops, all contribute to create potential danger spots. There was First Eastern 6 also concern for pedestrians walking with their children to/from Broke Counties Hall School. There was mention that buses drove too fast in Broadlands Way/Bixley Drive. Other ‘danger spots’ caused by speeding vehicles were: Brookhill Way junction, the Nuffield Hospital entrance. Beech Road/Mendip Drive where buses appear to drive too fast through this narrow road and parked cars cause a safety hazard.

Other concerns Danger spots through lack of a footway were also mentioned for The Parish Council to review lack Parish Council Street, towards the junction with Playford Road, Bent Lane towards the of paths in areas mentioned. Suffolk County junction with Playford Road and on Playford Road towards the Falcon Parish Council to encourage Council – Highways Public House. owners to keep hedges Parishioners Several people complained that hedging over the sight line at junctions trimmed. caused visual difficulties when turning into roads. To consider placing Nearly half of respondents said they experienced occasional problems roundabouts at estate with getting out of Rushmere St Andrew. 16% had frequent problems entrances to improve flow but 36% had no difficulties at all. Some suggested that roundabouts of vehicles out of residential should be constructed at all estate entrances to allow better access onto areas. main roads. Claverton Way normally and at school pick-up time HOUSING RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

The recent change of Government has led to the abolition of the Regional Government Office, and with it the imposition of regional house building targets and locations. It is understood that housing needs will derive from a ‘bottom up’ approach where the information from a Parish Plan will form an integral part of the Local Development Framework.

Number of houses 40% thought the number of houses already built was about right. Pass on to the Parish and Parish Council District Councils to determine page already built in the 36% thought too many houses had been built already. Suffolk Coastal what housing would be of 8 Parish District Council most value to the Parish in the future.

Type of any further 12% thought there was a need for houses for young people. This information to be passed Housing Association on to Parish and District houses that might 13% thought that more small family homes should be built. (Holly Lane Rental be built Councils to determine what accommodation) 9% were in favour of affordable housing needs. accommodation would be of Suffok Coastal most value to the Parish in the 60% thought that no more houses were needed. District Council future. 62% wanted sheltered housing with just under half suggesting a nursing home would be ideal in the parish, so that older local people could stay Housing Association locally when the time came for them to reconsider their housing needs. controlling Holly Lane One quarter thought that there should be provision of homes for people accommodation to review its with a disability. policy on existing and new residents? The bungalows in Holly Lane were originally built for older folk but now under a Housing Association, younger people have moved in.

What needs to be People commented that the infrastructure needs to be upgraded before Ensure the infrastructure is Suffok County considered further new homes are built. considered when new housing Council is proposed. Suffolk Coastal District Council New housing Bixley Farm LOCAL SERVICES 1 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Retail (shops) 49% of respondents felt that the shopping facilities in our Parish were To see if a baby and family Parish Council reasonable, with 27% considering them poor. planning clinic, post office and amenities Suffolk Coastal and doctors surgery could Parents with young children moving into the Bixley Farm estate District Council be built or located at the requested a baby clinic (17%), family planning clinic (8%), local doctor Bixley Farm Centre. Local GP Surgery (GP) and chemist (9%). Broadlands Way Other facilities mentioned include a post office and a bakery. page shops 10 The cash dispenser on Broadlands Way is used by 39% of respondents. Local Health facilities in our parish are the dentist and pharmacy on Foxhall Road. Only a minority indicated they regularly go to the Golf Hotel public house.

Pavements and Pavements were thought generally to be in a reasonable condition by all Drains to be regularly cleaned Parish Council users. and maintained. Roads Suffolk County 29% thought that drainage was poor. The drainage problem at Chestnut All potholes to be urgently Council pond is currently being addressed. repaired. 36% requested more cycle paths, whilst others complained about cyclist Cycle lanes to be painted on footpaths. along local main roads where appropriate. Gritting of minor roads during the winter months is also required where road layout causes difficulty to drivers in accessing main roads. Provide grit bins and salt/sand on minor road. Respondents commented on the state of the roads, especially after winter, when pot holes appear and repairs are called for promptly. A Pelican crossing to be installed at the junction of It was also mentioned that a Pelican Crossing should be installed on Foxhall Road and Arundel Foxhall Road where children cross to go to Broke Hall Primary County Way. School. RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN LOCAL SERVICES 2

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Street Lighting A third of respondents commented on the poor lighting of roads, Environmentally sensitive Parish Council especially Shrubland Drive, Euston Avenue, Gwendoline Road and street lights: to review where Suffolk County Playford Road. appropriate. Council 34% felt that there was a need for more environmentally sensitive street Alternate street lights could be lighting. turned off after midnight.

page Post Boxes and 40% of respondents felt that the number and location of post boxes Litter bins with notices to Parish Council 11 and litter bins were reasonable whilst 28% thought that the number and be provided near shops, Litter Bins Suffolk Coastal location of litter bins, and 14% of post boxes, to be poor. schools and bus stops. District Council There is a need to educate people to use the litter bins or to take their Suffolk County litter home. Council

Dog Bins Many people complained about dog mess being left on our pavements Extra doggy bins to be Parish Council and verges. There is a need to review the location and emptying of dog provided and regularly Suffolk Coastal bins, especially around the school area. emptied. Health notices District Council about dog mess, plus fines, Many people complained that dog mess was not being picked up by to be displayed. Police their dog owners whilst exercising/walking their pets. A dog warden has been suggested.

Fly tipping There appears to have been an isolated instance of fly tipping in Playford Farmers to be encouraged to Parish Council Lane. close farm gates. Residents Suffolk Coastal to inform police or authorities District Council promptly when fly tipping is noticed. Police AUTHORITIES 1 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Parish and Local Many people believe that the parish council is aware of local concerns Parish Council to consider Parish Council and would like a drop-in point where they can see a councillor and setting up a drop-in point. Council activities Suffolk County get more information on the council’s activities. Over 80% had never Parish Council to look at Council attended a Parish Council meeting. 33% thought the County Council ways to encourage more was not aware of local concerns. Suffolk Coastal public attendance at its District Council There were concerns that local taxes (precept) were not being spent on monthly meetings. page local issues in our Parish. Parish Council to publish 12 precept details more effectively.

Emergency Services Over 35% of the people have not used any of the emergency services. Pass on results to these Suffolk County authorities. Council 22% thought the fire services good, and 32% that the ambulance service Fire Service was good. The doctor’s home attendance produced a mixed result. The Ambulance Service police emergency service was thought reasonable. Health Service Police

Anti-social behaviour Over one quarter of people were not concerned about local crimes. Bring to the police attention Police – Kesgrave Some people complained that the police did not turn up to investigate residents concerns. and District Safer anti-social behaviour or minor crimes. Neighbourhood Response times need Forum People were glad that police have tackled the drugs/drinking problem on improving. Salehurst Road recreation ground. Any local youth clubs Set up activities for young Slightly under half thought that more activities ought to be provided for people and include drink/drug young people. education. RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN AUTHORITIES 2

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Policing 51% thought there should be a greater police presence on the streets, Request a greater police Parish Council particularly around shops and in the evenings. presence on foot, on a daily Police – PCSO basis. A third of us live in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme but just under a Schools third indicated they would like to join a scheme. Request the mobile police station to be moved to a Neighbourhood Friday/Saturday evening Watch Co-ordinator outside One-stop. This page would have the additional 13 benefit of deterring youths hanging around this area. Enable streets to join Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Broadlands Way shopping area AUTHORITIES 3 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Safety in the Parish 120 people (about 10%) felt unsafe somewhere in the parish. Lack of or Need to review adequacy of Parish Council poor lighting and pavements accounted for 57% of peoples concerns. street lighting and paths along Suffolk County The Street and Bent Lane. 26% felt threatened by groups of youths hanging around shops. Council – Highways Request frequent police 21% mentioned The Street and Bent Lane. Police checks around shopping 17% were concerned about safety on the Heath at dusk/evening. areas. The Commoners page Committee 12% on the path between Bixley Drive and Gwendoline Close. Review areas of concern and 14 Rushmere Heath 6% won’t go out at night as they don’t feel safe anywhere. identify solutions. Chater Homes A particular area of concern was Tower Hall/St Andrews Walk shopping area, mostly after dark, where the congregating of youths/children felt intimidating especially as regards abuse, skateboarding and drinking. Arundel Way was also mentioned by respondents.

A popular dog walkers route onto the common RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN AUTHORITIES 4

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Lighting in Many respondents commented on the standard of lighting in the Need to ensure/install Parish Council following walk ways – Foxhall Road with Chatsworth Drive and Claverton adequate environmentally Walk Ways Suffolk County Way, Gwendoline Close/Bixley Drive, Chatsworth Drive/Claverton Way, sensitive lighting along the Council Salehurst Road/Bucklesham Road and the walk way between Bent Lane walk ways. and the A1214 (Woodbridge Road).

page 15 Planning Development Control is administered by the District Council who are statutorily obliged to seek the views of the Parish and County Councils along with other bodies, in reaching their final decisions. The Scrutiny Committee of Suffolk Coastal District Council regularly monitors the performance of the Development Control process to ensure the best possible service to the Parish Council and residents alike. In addition, regular Parish Liaison meetings are held with the District Council to keep all parties updated on planning issues.

Publicity 46% said there was not enough publicity about planning applications District and Parish Parish Council within the Parish. Councils to publicise more about planning Suffolk Coastal prominently details of applications which District Council affect the parish planning applications which affect our parish.

Development control 27% were satisfied. 22% were dissatisfied. 51% had no opinion. Possibly this is because those residents had no experience of the procedure. ENVIRONMENT 1 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

The Local Most residents (96%) felt that the quality of the countryside around Environment Rushmere St Andrew was very important or important. Wild flowers, birds, animals, ponds and streams were identified as of particular value.

Open Spaces Rushmere St Andrew benefits from a number open spaces. Responses Encourage more responsible Parish Council were quite mixed as to the appearance of these areas. The majority dog ownership. page Suffolk Coastal (79%) rated the appearance of Rushmere Common as good or Continue work in hand to District Council 16 reasonable, but only half felt this way about The Sandlings and The improve the condition of the Mill Stream. Both of these locations are now designated ‘Local Nature The Commoners two ponds in the village. Reserves Areas’. Only a third were satisfied with the appearance of Committee The Limes and Chestnut Ponds. Particular concerns were dog fouling, Ensure hedges are Rushmere Heath managed, at the same time maintaining footpaths to a high standard, keeping hedges managed, Greenways protecting trees and woodland areas, and preventing fires on Rushmere accommodating wildlife Common. requirements, and that existing Local residents trees are safeguarded, e.g. when development plans are submitted. Investigate the possibility of creating fire prevention groups to patrol the Heath during vulnerable periods.

Footpaths and Most people (72%) said they were aware of local footpaths (public rights Monitor the condition of Parish Council of way) and half felt that they were well signposted. 63% felt they could footpaths and draw up action Bridleways Suffolk Coastal be used without difficulty. 72% stated they would like to have maps plan for use if necessary. District Council or leaflets showing local footpaths. Only 22% felt that more footpaths Publicise the availability of (public rights of way) were needed. Suffolk County leaflets and maps showing Council walks. RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN environment 2

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Keeping Rushmere Dog Fouling was predominant in all responses on this issue. Encourage dog owners to Dog Owners / clean up after their pets. members of the St Andrew clean and Litter was another issue and there was some support for adopting Public tidy pro-active strategies such as appointing a litter warden (28%) or road Investigate the cost of sweeper (21%) and putting up anti-litter notices (24%) to remind and employing a litter warden or Parish Council encourage people to take their litter home or dispose of it in the litter similar. Suffolk Coastal bins. 28% felt that there were insufficient litter bins or that they were Put up anti-litter posters and District Council badly located. page distribute leaflets. Approximately half of the respondents supported the idea of organising 17 Increase the number of litter one or two ‘Spring/Autumn’ cleaning days per year. About 20% bins and ensure they are supported entering the ‘Village of the Year’ competition. located at the most relevant points around the Parish. Organise one or two ‘Spring/Autumn’ cleaning days per year.

Mill Stream Local Nature Reserve Chestnut Pond RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN leisure interests 1

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Sports Facilities There are two five a side football pitches in the southern side of the Continue to maintain the Parish Council Parish at Broke Hall Recreation Ground and The Sandlings. In the existing football pitches and Suffolk Coastal Northern side of our Parish is Rushmere Sports Club, The Street. goal posts. District Council This is a privately owned Club open to paying members and offers a Investigate the possibility of wide range of sports activities. When asked which sports activities Rushmere Sports providing additional activities residents would like to see provided within the Parish, the most Club for older children and frequently named activities were tennis (28%), yoga (27%), teenagers. Parish Halls page pool/billiards/snooker (25%) and youth football (11%). Other popular Management 19 Encourage owners of choices were bowls, cricket and table tennis. A number of residents Committee felt there was very little on offer for older children and teenagers. Rushmere Sports Club to 6% of residents felt that sports facilities for the disabled were poor promote the Club more and 3% felt they were good/reasonable. Most people had no actively within the Parish, opinion/experience of this issue. e.g. by leaflet dropping all householders.

Allotments The Parish has allotment gardens which are located close to Chestnut Enquiries via the Clerk to Parish Council Pond in The Street, Rushmere Village. Parish Council. Establish if there is any area to the South of the Parish that could also be used. Review possibility of extending allotment gardens.

The allotment gardens LEISURE INTERESTS 2 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Play areas There are five play areas for children under 12. The three main areas are Continue to maintain the Parish Council at Broke Hall Recreation Ground, Salehurst Road and Tower Hall, both three main play areas to a Suffolk Coastal being in the southern area of our Parish. The third is Chestnut Close Play high standard. District Council Area located in the northern part of our parish. Examine the possibility of In addition, there are two smaller play areas located to the southern area upgrading the two smaller of our Parish, in Euston Avenue and Yewtree Grove. areas. page The majority of parishioners had no opinion about the play areas. Investigate the possibility 20 However, most people who did comment felt that the three main areas of providing additional play were either good or reasonable, but that the two smaller areas were poor. areas. At the time of going A small number of residents felt that further play areas should be provided. to press, Brookhill Way has been identified as a potential area.

Tower Hall play area RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN leisure interests 3

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

The Village Hall, Rushmere St Andrew has a village hall in Humber Doucy Lane in the Continue to maintain the halls Parish Council north of the Parish and a Community Hall (Tower Hall) in Broadlands Way to their current high standard. Humber Doucy Lane Kesgrave and in the south of the Parish. The halls are run by a charity (Parish Halls – Look to extending the Rushmere News Tower Hall, Rushmere St Andrew) and are modern buildings with good facilities, range of activities to include Broadlands Way e.g. large area for social activities, smaller rooms suitable for meetings Local groups those highlighted in the and well-equipped kitchens. The halls, which are available for hire via questionnaire results. Other Parish Halls – the booking clerk, are in regular use for a range of activities. activities mentioned included Rushmere page Many people felt that the range of activities within the Parish was poor keep fit, judo, indoor bowls/ St Andrew 21 (good/reasonable accounting for only 10%). skittles, art club, music society, drama and U3A. Publicity for activities was rated as resaonable (49%) and poor (32%). The majority of respondents were not aware of what was on offer at the Increase the level of publicity halls (Village Hall 66%, Tower Hall 56%). of interest groups by advertising events in local 41% go elsewhere for their leisure activities. newsletters and Kesgrave and 52% said they did not participate in any organised leisure activities. Rushmere News and leaflet 86% do not attend events in the village halls. dropping to households. There was 30% support for senior citizens group, gardening and rambling clubs and computer IT classes.

Religious Activities Our parish has two churches, the parochial church of St Andrew and the Send results to local Local churches Baptist Church, both of which are in the village. The churches of churches. Parish council St Augustine of Hippo in Bucklesham Road and St Andrew’s in Britannia Road, Ipswich, also cover parts of the southern side of the civil parish of Rushmere St Andrew. Rushmere Christian Fellowship and The Church of Ipswich also meet regularly in our village halls. 13% of our residents belong to a local church. 11% prefer a church outside the parish, 7% because our parish does not cater for their religion. 83% do not attend any place of worship. A third of the respondents thought that places of worship publicise their activities sufficiently. The Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane and the Community Hall, Broadlands Way RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN YOUNG PEOPLE 1

ISSUE BACKGROUND ACTION PARTNERS

Education – Primary There is one primary school (Broke Hall County Primary) within the To consider including a Parish Council parish. In the southern area, most children of primary school age unit on Local Government Suffolk Local attend Broke Hall Primary. However, in the northern part of the parish, in the Year Six Citizenship Education Authority the picture is more mixed, with children attending a range of schools programme at Broke Hall including those in Kesgrave and on the fringes of Ipswich. 32% of County Primary School. Broke Hall County respondents have children in this age group. Primary School Head Teacher and Comments made by the children in their class discussions showed that page Governors of Broke they did not understand the connection between the community and the Hall County Primary 23 District/ Parish Councils, through which funds can be made available to School carry out improvements to local facilities.

Education – As there is no secondary school within the parish, all pupils in this Secondary/ Sixth age group attend schools outside the parish boundaries. 29% of form/ University respondents have children within this age group. 11% are continuing their studies at sixth form level and nearly 15% are currently at university.

Broke Hall County Primary School YOUNG PEOPLE 2 RUSHMERE ST ANDREW PARISH PLAN

Younger childrens’ opinions

Young people over the age of 11 were invited to voice their opinions via the It is encouraging to see that our youngsters are so environmentally aware and Parish Plan Questionnaire. However, the Working Group felt it was important clearly feel strongly about a wide range of issues. Many of their concerns were for younger children to have the opportunity to express their views. It was also highlighted by respondents to the main Parish Plan Questionnaire, and agreed that the easiest way of reaching a significant number of local children appropriate actions are recommended under the relevant headings in the Plan. would be via Broke Hall County Primary School. With the kind co-operation As regards play facilities, some of the children’s recommendations are being of Mr Griffiths, Head Teacher, and his staff, all classes took part in group page looked into, e.g. the creation of a skate park. However, there are a number of discussions led by their own class teacher. They were asked to respond to the 24 other suggestions here, and these will be passed on to the Parish Council for following two questions: further consideration. What do you like most about your local area? How could your local area be made even better? The comments made in the discussions were noted down and passed on to us by Mr Griffiths.

What do you like most about your area? The environment – A quiet, peaceful area to live in. Trees and flowers. Wildlife Play areas – Safe places to play, especially the Heath, Broke Hall Recreation areas. The nearby forest. Nature trails. Parks and open spaces, especially the Ground, Tower Hall, Sandlings play facilities, football pitches. Good play Heath. Safe places to walk. Clean. Child friendly. equipment. Opportunities to play on bikes. Amenities – Local shops.

How could your local area be made even better? The environment – Plant more trees. Improve paths, e.g. repair loose paving lanes and paths. Create more ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ areas. More policing to stones. Provide more doggie bins and create a dog walking area. Reduce prevent vandalism, especially on the Heath. litter, e.g. install more litter bins and encourage people to take their rubbish Play facilities – Create more playgrounds, parks and green spaces. Provide home. Have more recycling bins. Provide signs and maps for local walks. better biking facilities, e.g. a BMX park. Build a skate park. Install play Create better pathways onto the Heath. Keep ponds clear of rubbish. Cut equipment suitable for older children, e.g. bigger climbing frames and slides, back hedges in gardens so that children can see to cross the road safely. Put and larger goal posts. Create indoor play spaces, e.g. in village halls. Build a up more ‘slow down’ signs for traffic. Reduce roadside parking, especially gym or sports centre. near the school. More pedestrian crossings. Increase the number of cycle InvernessHumber Road Doucy Lane Sherborne Avenue Cranborne Chase st Dorset Close Dorset Close Wincanton Road r Road ddenham Road Fairline CloseLanark Road Kinross Road Sidegate Lane We Ay ChelsworthTu Avenue Useful contactsAngus Close Ely Road Sidegate Lane Moff Moffat y MelAlmer Close Bentley ett at Avenue re Sidegate Lane t Fife Road S Clerk to Orkneythe Parish Road Council Av Colchester Road Aberdeen Wa Renfrew Road re Belgrave CloseCemetery Lane Shetland Close Forfar Close e Tel 01473 711509 Troon Gardens enue hm Rushmere St Andrew MoffatMoff Avenue s Carlton Road Queensgate Drive GretnaTroon Gardens Gardens u Shetland Close R 5 at Clare Road Lancing Avenue Melrose Gardens Gardens KingsgateJean Drive Potter Cromarty Road y Colchester Road Av Assistant Clerk to the Parish Council enue Somerset Road R 01473Sidegate 723409 Avenue 63 Woodbridge Woodbridge Road Stuart Close Beverley Road 63 63 Terry Gooding Leopold Road Rushbury Close The Lawns Glenhurst Avenue Sir WilliamRopes Drive Court Howards Wa St Olaves Road The Whinneys Howard EmeraldAshdate Close Road Whitby Road sepocS daoR lk Athroll Mews Clerk to Rushmere CommonersWe Leopold Gardens Ly ad Quebec DriveThe Walk Rush Court ThrougBooth Lane h o Church Close HaywardsFriends Fields Wa Tel 01473 423566 Norbury Road on Close stbury Road R Sewell Wontner Close Mackenzie Drive St Olaves Road Wr rner Grove o rd Windrush Road Friends Wa Belvedere Road Tu Meadowvale Close o Roundwood Road Morecambe Court f Wainwright Way Herbert R Sidegate Lane ight Lane gh Meadowvale Close Bramley Close ay Police – SNT Kesgrave 31 Pl FletcherThrou Lan Harrison Grove Marshall Close LonsdaleLonsdale Close Close Tallboys Close StewartCardew Drift Brunswick Road Lonsdale Close Stradbroke Road The B daoR nosleN daoR Ropes DriveReeve Gardens MoorfieldArkle CourtCloseFentons Way Upsons Wa rt Hutland Road Jewell Local PCSO Vi Wo War ad lk Ro Fairbairn Avenue St Ma Stuart Close Bristol Roadctory Road ge Crawford Lane Dewar Lane venue Allington Close Roundwood Road rid CranewllCrawford Grove Lane Fairbairn A PCSO 3194Rushmere Mike Sarbutts Road Crofton Road Woodb lton Road DewarDeway Lane Lane Yo y Khartoum Road Lombard Court Edmonton Close Dawson Drift Parade Road Schreiber Road e Phoenix Road Rivers Street Reading Road Sherwood Fields ungSt Grove Isodores Bugsby Tel 0147366 613500 (999 Emergency)

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Av Orwell Road centrepiece. UpperSuffolk Cavendish Trading Street Standards d

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iv a Celestion Drive l Dobbs Lane Tel 01473 264859 r

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The Beeches D Bull Road

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Consumer Direct – consumer related enquires y Rosehill Crescent o

Prentice Wa Ditton Way Camden Road r Dover Road e

l Alston Road Av B Tel 07894 138759Bull Road x Bishops Hill Alan Road Sandhurst Provian Court Fo enue x Bi d ha York Road ll Road Newton Road

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Murray Road Av Rushmere St Andrew and surrounds 1928 Lee Road Locarno Road Rushmere St Andrew and surrounds 2010 enue Severn Road