Acton Edleston & Henhull
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Acton Edleston & Henhull Parish Plan Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan Acton, Edleston & Henhull Parish Plan Acton, Edleston & Henhull Parish Council Parish Clerk: Carol Mace Reproduced from the Ordnance survey Map on behalf of HMSO. C Crown Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan Ordnance Survey License No. 100044023 Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTENTS The Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Council We have had enormous support during the Foreword 2 set up The Steering Group to formulate a “Parish preparation of this plan from people in the local Acknowledgements 2 Plan” which would be a plan recognised by Crewe community, local businesses, local authorities, the and Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire Community Council and our Parish Council. Executive Summary 4 County Council. This would ensure both bodies I want to extend my thanks to all who have Introduction 5 would have to, at least, consider the views of the contributed to this plan, both in terms of financial Chapter 1 Description of the Parishes 6 Parish and we think this is particularly important contributions and other donations, and the in Planning matters. Chapter 2 History of the Parishes 8 hundreds of hours of volunteer time that have We stated from the beginning that a separate and been willingly given. Chapter 3 The Parish Plan Process 10 independent group should undertake this task. On the back page, I have tried to remember, name Chapter 4 Public Engagement 12 We did not want the same people wearing and thank all those who have helped. Chapter 5 The Snapshot Report 14 different hats reporting to themselves. One of the most heartening things is the way the Chapter 6 Key Areas for Focus 16 In this, we were lucky to have a group who plan preparation has brought people together who volunteered their services. Ably led by Annie 6.1 Vehicles Traffic and Transport 16 didn't know each other before and how, even Coombs, a large number of people worked well towards the end of the process, meetings have 6.2 Environment and Countryside 21 and hard to complete a Plan. On behalf of the been well attended. It was great when Reg said, (including Future Development) Parish Council and the Parishioners as a whole I “I've met more people through doing this plan 6.3 Community Facilities 26 would like to thank each of them. than in the previous 8 years I've lived in Acton”. 6.4 Parish Communication 29 The Open Day in January 2005 was a great I think that sentiment is true for many of us. success and I am sure that everybody will enjoy Chapter 7 Action Plans 33 The support in terms of officer time from both reading the report and plan on something, with County and Borough Councils has also been most Chapter 8 What Next? 42 which we are familiar and is such an important forthcoming and helpful (even from people who Chapter 9 Conclusions 43 part of our lives. had never heard of Parish Plans!). REFERENCES 43 This Plan was put before the Parish Council on I am not going to thank individuals here, except March 24th 2005 for approval. I am pleased to APPENDICES for Peter Webb, without whose constant support report it was enthusiastically adopted as an and determination we certainly would not have Appendix 2.1 Listed Buildings 44 expression of people's aspirations and a framework finished the plan on time - we might not even Appendix 3.1 Parish Council and Parish Plan 45 for future action in the Parish. have got it started! Steering Committee I would like to say that the Acton, Edleston and Appendix 4.1 Flyer 46 Henhull Parish Plan is a well-researched, well- written and attractive document. I would also like Annie Coombs Appendix 4.2 Questionnaire 48 to thank Peter Webb for his professional advice Chair Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan Appendix 6.1 Footways and Footpaths 51 and of course Annie Coombs' drive and Steering Committee commitment, which brought it about. Appendix 6.2 Environment and Countryside 53 March 2005 Appendix 6.3 Local Events in the Area 58 Maurice Connolly Chair of Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Council 2 3 Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan Acton, Edleston and Henhull Parish Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The parishes are steeped in history and valued for Chapters 1 and 2. The way the Steering their rural and countryside nature as well as being INTRODUCTION Committee was formed and went about the job of important productive farmland. The preparing the plan and consulting the community Acton, Edleston and Henhull are 3 small rural questionnaires showed that some residents' quality is described in Chapters 3 and 4. Chapter 5 gives parishes, combined for administrative purposes, in of life is disturbed by heavy and high speed traffic, This Parish Plan; for the parishes of Acton, a brief summary of the findings of the the rural heartland of South Cheshire. They cover traffic noise, parking congestion round the school, Edleston and Henhull, has been prepared by a questionnaire. Chapter 6 gives more detailed 765 hectares and have around 200 households, a litter and fly tipping and dog fouling. In addition, Parish Plan Steering Committee that has taken its explanations of those areas identified as issues third of which are in the village of Acton, the only people feel their quality of life could be improved guide from the Parish Council and from the points needing further investigation, which are potential real settlement in the parishes. The rest of the by of view of people who live and work in the areas where people can get involved in helping to population is scattered across the parishes along implement some of the improvements suggested. G a better bus service; parishes. The process has taken about 20 months minor roads and lanes. People know each other in in all, with the key activities comprising an initial The main outcomes and proposed actions arising the village, but the traditional concept of G more village facilities - especially a shop and survey of what people thought were the “big from the community consultation process are community is limited and communication can be play area; issues”, a questionnaire to all households, shown in a series of tables in Chapter 7. Chapter difficult. G a re-energised Home-watch scheme; identification of the key points for action, 8 gives some thoughts on what should happen The Parish Council decided to initiate the G environmental enhancements including presentation of these at an open day, further next because there is now some expectation on the preparation of a Parish Plan, but was determined conservation and some tree planting; investigation of the issues including meetings with to see a different group of people lead the process local authorities and other organisations and G more information about what is going on in to try and improve social cohesion. A Steering finally the preparation of this report with its the parishes; and Committee was formed following a public action plans. meeting. G occasional additional parish events. Parish plans were part of a Countryside Agency Some of these ideas are small, easily funded initiative, “Vital Villages”. Recent changes at the initiatives that should be straightforward to make Countryside Agency mean responsibility for this happen by a small group of volunteers. Others are initiative has moved to Government Office North dependent on external funding and actions from West from 1st April 2005. The importance of the the local authorities and for these, ongoing parish plan process as a means of giving rural dialogue and communication will be important. communities a stronger voice in their future It is acknowledged that the Parish Council has remains intact. The new planning system affords played a long-term role in some of these issues great importance to involving communities. over the years. Preparing a parish plan is one of the steps a parish council has to take if it intends to seek “Quality part of those consulted that their views will be The Parish Council and the Parish Plan Steering Status”. taken on board and things will happen. Committee recognise that this plan is a step in a process. It will be important that expectations The Countryside Agency gave financial support to Please read some, or all, of this plan. The aim is It took some time for this committee to grasp the raised in terms of increased community cohesion, the Parish Council to enable the consultation, to provide information of interest to people who tasks in hand and to make a funding application parish events and communication as well as actual communication and plan production to take place. live in the Parishes, to act as a means of to the Countryside Agency (CA). It gained projects have leadership from within the broader Funding for essential parts of this report has also influencing the statutory planning system, but momentum after a few months by word of mouth, community and not just those who have led the come from a number of other sources, namely also to inspire you to get involved in the next with more people attending the meetings following plan preparation to date. Nonetheless, the Plan is Cheshire County Council (the County), Crewe steps, which are described in Chapters 7 and 8. issue of a flyer. an important statement of the community's and Nantwich Borough Council (the Borough) A questionnaire was used to consult the aspirations at this time and a framework for and Acton Edleston and Henhull Parish Council community.