ALRESFORD PARISH PLAN 2008-2013 Introduction Contents Contents……………………………………………………………………………..1 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………2 Aim of the Alresford Parish Plan............................................................... 2 Alresford, Essex – History, Geography and Overview ................................ 3 Nature in Alresford ................................................................................. 5 RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE…………………………………………………8 Village Environment ................................................................................ 8 Infrastructure ......................................................................................... 9 Transport in the Village..........................................................................10 Community Facilities ..............................................................................11 Crime and Safety ...................................................................................13 Surrounding Environment.......................................................................14 Business Questionnaire ..........................................................................16 ACTION PLANS……………………………………………………………………18 OFFICE OF NATIONAL STATISTICS DATA..………………………………..21 COMMENTS from questionnaires………………….…………………………22 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………..30 Alresford Parish Plan 2008-2013 1 Introduction INTRODUCTION Aim of the Alresford Parish Plan The aim of the Alresford Parish Plan might like changed, and what could is to identify the positive and be done about it. negative aspects of living in the village, and formalise the views and In Sept 2007, the RCCE held a wishes of Alresford residents and meeting of interested volunteers workers regarding any changes that who would form a steering group to might be needed. This will enable expand and develop the results of statutory bodies, such as the Parish the first meeting. The steering Council, District Council, and group became the Alresford Project County Council, to have a clear Group, formalised at an Inaugural understanding of the views of the General Meeting in Jan 2008. Three village inhabitants or at least those questionnaires were compiled by of the respondents who completed the APG: for local businesses, youth the questionnaire. The plan, if and households. In June the adopted, should enable these or business questionnaire was any other bodies to take a pro- delivered and analysed, and the active role in many issues results posted on the village notice concerning the village. board; those results are included in this report. The other 2 questionnaires were delivered to all households in the village with the August edition of the Alresford Advertiser by their delivery team, in July 2008. This report summarises the results of the 203 questionnaires, which were returned, equivalent to 23% of households in the village. The Old Church Questions were posed on many topics including: village environment (cleanliness and Evolution of the Alresford appearance), transport, communal Parish Plan: facilities including recycling, and the surrounding environment. Several In March 2007 the Rural parts of the questionnaire gave Community Council for Essex (at space for further comments, some the request of Alresford Parish of which have been incorporated Council) held a workshop in the into the main body of the report, village hall for Alresford residents to especially where the same consider what they did and didn’t comment was made by several like about the village, what they respondents; other received Alresford Parish Plan 2008-2013 2 Introduction comments have been included in were drawn up and are included in the appendices. this report. The allotted priorities shown on the action plans indicate In order to address the concerns the level of concern. raised by the report, action plans Alresford, Essex – History, Geography and Overview There have undoubtedly been and provides moorings for a settlements in and around what is number of yachts. The old Roman now the North Essex village of Ford is clearly visible at low tide. Alresford (alders by the ford) since To the west is the town of the Iron Age and perhaps well Wivenhoe, which can be reached by before – the benefits of a fertile soil road or by a footpath which follows and proximity to the once plentiful the dismantled former railway line fish stocks of the River Colne which ran adjacent to the river. Estuary have provided countless This railway line, which opened in generations of Alresford villagers 1866 as part of the ‘Tendring with both a food and trade source. Hundred Railway,’ went to Brightlingsea via a swing bridge Agriculture is still important to the over the Creek and was a victim of area although the coming of the the sweeping cuts in railway railway in the 19th century gradually services of Dr Beeching in 1964. turned the village into a commuter The village of Elmstead Market base with workers travelling to borders Alresford to the north, the Colchester, Clacton, Chelmsford or northern part of Alresford was London. previously known as Elmstead Heath; with Frating to the north- east and Thorrington to the south- east. Alresford is surrounded by current and former gravel workings and the gravel was at one time exported to London and beyond via sailing barges from Alresford Creek. The remains of a conveyor system from Iron Swing Bridge (Picture c.1905) the processing plant to the creek can still be seen between the main The southern boundary of the offices and the riverbank. village is formed by Alresford Creek, a tributary of the River Colne that The centre of the village is now reaches the sea at Brightlingsea. about a mile north of the Creek The Creek is still navigable at high centred around the railway station. tide as far as Thorrington Tide Mill, For a relatively small village with less than 1,000 homes, Alresford is Alresford Parish Plan 2008-2013 3 Introduction modern building that was built in 1976 to replace the magnificent St. Peter’s Church which was tragically destroyed by fire in the early morning of October 2nd 1971. The shell of St. Peter’s Church is still standing, with the War Memorial nearby. Sand and gravel being loaded onto Scattered throughout the Parish are sailing barges in Alresford Creek a number of old or listed buildings notably Alresford Hall and The hard to match for the quantity and Quarters, an especially attractive quality of its amenities. The main property which has altered very shopping centre is adjacent to the little externally since it was painted railway station (in Station Road) by John Constable almost two and has a Post Office, butchers and centuries ago, and can be seen in hairdresser as well as a fish-and- this reproduction. chip shop, a Chinese take-away and a carpet shop. The only remaining public house in Alresford is ‘The Pointer’ in Wivenhoe Road. There are also a surprisingly large number of small businesses. Along Main Road can be found various retail outlets. These include: a general store, estate agent, car sales and repairs, replacement windows, lawnmower repairs, furniture shop The Quarters as seen by John and a kennels. A number of Constable in 1816 industrial units are situated in Cockaynes Lane. The Village Hall and Playing Field in St. Andrews Close are both much- used facilities. Attached as an annexe to the Village Hall, is the ‘Pavilion’; home of the Colne Rangers Football Club and meeting place for Alresford Parish Council. The provision of the railway station has influenced the development St. Peters Church (Pictured just weeks and planning of the village during before the devastating fire of 1971) the past 150 years, including the migration of the village centre from The village has a Primary School near the old church to around the located at the junction of Ford Lane station. The upgrading of the and Church Road. The village Colchester to Clacton railway line Church is St. Andrew’s and is a during 2008/2009 has brought Alresford Parish Plan 2008-2013 4 Introduction changes to the level crossings; with the replacement of the manually operated road crossing gates by automatic unmanned barriers remotely controlled from a signal box in Colchester. Map showing Alresford village centred on the railway station This brief overview of Alresford is intended to indicate how Alresford has become the way it is, and maybe help in the future planning Alresford Railway Station House of the village. It is important that all and station staff –early 20thC users of the village have their say in the future of this unique and much appreciated Essex Village. Written by Frank Belgrove Nature in Alresford Responses to the Project space, but the parish has important questionnaire show that people populations of threatened or rare living in Alresford appreciate their species such as Skylark, Turtle natural surroundings. Their Dove, Dormouse, Water Vole, enjoyment recognises the natural- various bat species, Glow worms, ness of these surroundings. Stag Beetles and many other Responses vary in the extent to unusual insects. which people take note of natural happenings, from those who simply This biodiversity is under pressure observe garden birds at a bird table from many factors including: to others with specialist insect classification skills. Both are a) climate change, examples of people interacting with and profiting from nature in our b) agricultural changes resulting community. from market forces, Alresford parish contains a surprising range of habitats, from c) lack of management