3. Contents. Page. Section 1 - Introduction. 4. Section 2 - Community appraisal. 6.
Section 3 - Suggested action plan. 20. Section 4 - Conclusion. 26 ...
BOX COMMUNITIES PLAN 2013 — 2020
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Contents Page Section 1 - Introduction
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Section 2 - Community appraisal
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Section 3 - Suggested action plan
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Section 4 - Conclusion
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SECTION ONE - INTRODUCTION. The Parish of Box in Wiltshire covers an area of over 7 square miles, and embraces the communities of Alcombe, Ashley, Box, Box Hill, Ditteridge, Henley, Middlehill, Kingsdown, Rudloe and Wadswick. These are jointly served by Box Parish Council. As encouraged by the UK Government in its White Paper of 2001, and in the face of more recent developments such as the Localism Bill which aims to devolve increasing levels of responsibility, members of the Parish Council set out in late 2011 to develop a Box Communities Plan, to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the foreseeable future. Its objective is to formulate constructive guidance to successive groups and organisations in the management and development of the communities of Box and possibly to inform a future Neighbourhood Plan produced in conjunction with Wiltshire Council. The starting point was the gathering of local opinion on issues of concern and aspiration within the local population. This took the form of a Community survey, carried out by self-completion questionnaires distributed to every household in the Parish, and personal interviews with ‘stakeholder’ groups within the communities served, throughout 2012. The findings of these undertakings are offered in essence in Section 2 of this plan, but may be examined in full detail in the Box Parish
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Council offices and the Box Parish website (www.boxparish.org.uk). In the Spring of 2013 a draft Plan was produced and placed on the Parish website for comments. A public meeting was held in Box Pavilion to receive comments from the local communities as well as consultation with the Parish Council. These comments were considered and a final version was produced in April 2013 for this, the Box Communities Plan (2013-2020).
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SECTION TWO – COMMUNITY APPRAISAL This section contains the main findings of the two main pieces of research undertaken for the Plan: i) 1700 questionnaires distributed throughout Box Parish in November 2011. 316 questionnaires were completed, an 18% response. A copy of the questionnaire and the results are available in the Box Parish Council offices and on the Parish website (www.boxparish.org.uk). 48% of returns came from households in Box village; 17% from Rudloe; 12% Box Hill; 10% each from Ashley, Kingsdown and Henley; the remainder came from Alcombe, Ditteridge, Middlehill and Wadswick. The majority of respondents, 60%, were aged 60+, 33% between 30 and 59, and the remainder either younger or did not specify. ii) During September and October 2012 a range of stakeholder groups and organisations in Box Parish were consulted. These included
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Methodist Church Council St.Thomas à Becket Parochial Church Council Box Church of England School Governors Box Moonrakers Boxlea Women’s Institute Box Women’s Institute Box Gardening Club Jubilee Youth Centre Box Cubs Box Youth Club (Green Room) Box Business Breakfast Club Box Neighbourhood Action Group Each group member was asked to complete a short questionnaire; a copy of the questionnaire and the results are available in the Box Parish Council offices and on the Parish website (www.boxparish.org.uk). Other representatives of local groups consulted included Kevin Gaskin, CCAN Coordinator, and Sheila Parker, Wiltshire County Councillor.
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1- HOUSING This was addressed in the questionnaire in some detail but was generally not highlighted by the various stakeholder groups, although a few people commented that they would like to see more sheltered and affordable housing in the Parish. Three-quarters of the respondents who answered the questionnaire felt that the current housing levels in the Parish were about right, whereas 16% suggested that more housing was needed. 20 respondents who thought that current housing levels were about right added the opinion that Box is a beautiful village in an area of outstanding natural beauty, so let us not spoil it by development, and limit this to infill or brownfield sites. 24 respondents who felt that more housing was needed suggested small, affordable and ‘social’ housing as the pattern (‘but not too much’). It seems that largely the parishioners are happy with the status quo and if there is to be additional housing in the Parish it should, where possible, be that of starter / low cost / affordable or social housing.
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2- ACCESS & TRANSPORT Those who completed the questionnaire considered better maintenance of the roads within the Parish the item most important in the list offered, endorsed at a slightly lower level by the reduction of traffic speeds. Their second most important item was a call for a reduction in traffic speeds and traffic calming measures. 170 comments in support of this identified the A4 in general, Box High Street, Quarry Hill, Box Hill, Leafy Lane, Devizes Road in Box, and Kingsdown as areas for specific consideration. Where more street parking was called for, this was in Box centre, primarily for shopping; where a reduction in street parking was suggested, mention was made of the Bargates area in Box, Devizes Road in Box, Quarry Hill, Mill Lane, the Market Place and outside the Co-op in Box. There was also a range of other concerns relating to transport and access: more grit bins, and improved bus services, cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and street parking. Nearly one-third of respondents suggested pedestrian crossings, particularly on the A4 at various positions between Box Pharmacy and the Co-op, at the Northey Arms on the A4, on the Devizes Road in Box, and on the A4 near the Surgery.
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By a wide margin the three most ‘hoped for’ improvements in Box in future years identified by the stakeholders were: better traffic control; improved parking; minor road and footpath repairs plus better lane markings. This is probably one of the main issues to come from the research undertaken for the Parish Plan. Volume and speed of traffic, and lack of parking were by far the highest ‘dislikes’ expressed by stakeholder groups.
3- GENERAL FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES Some of the issues raised by respondents included more dog mess bins (35%), more items accepted for kerbside recycling (24%), more allotments (23%), more recycling collection points (17%), more facilities on the Recreation Ground in Box (14%) and more post boxes (13%). Some other suggestions included more shops/cafes, a local Citizen’s Advice Bureau service and a reopening of the High Street toilets as well as more play equipment on the Recreation Ground.
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[It should be noted that the opinions given on refuse collection and recycling were expressed before the implementation of changes in the service, and fortnightly collections.] There was a general air of satisfaction with most of the subjects covered in this section of the questionnaire with no one particular issue standing out.
4- SOCIAL PROBLEMS & POLICING Stakeholders did not identify any particular social problems or comment, positively or negatively, on social problems or the policing of the Parish. In fact the highest scoring ‘likes’ amongst stakeholders were ‘Ready friendship’ and a sense of community. Respondents answering the questionnaire were given a range of possible ‘problems’ to comment on and the results were fairly varied, although across the range of possible problems offered there was a strong expression of opinion on dog fouling, fly tipping and litter at one level, and vandalism and burglary at another. When asked about awareness of, and satisfaction with, the policing of Box Parish, slightly
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under half of all respondents expressed any degree of satisfaction with the police presence in the Parish. 112 respondents added further comments, including: ‘Local patrols could be more evident. Can’t remember the last time I saw a foot patrol.’ ‘We have never seen a policeman in Box.’ ‘Only time I have ever seen them is when I reported a car crime.’ ‘I have never seen a police presence.’ ‘What presence? Never see them!’ Only a quarter of parishioners were aware of the fact that there may be a police surgery before the opening of each monthly Parish Council meeting [Local police officers also attend Box Luncheon Club meetings and work closely with the local primary schools]. There was also a general lack of awareness of neighbourhood watch schemes in the Parish. [It might be worth noting that these results are more perception than fact. According
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to the Home Office, Wiltshire is one of the safest counties in the country in which to live, work and to visit. Crime levels in Wiltshire have fallen by 15% in the last three years to July 2011. (http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php/home/the-news/3148)] Despite Box Parish being a relatively crime-free area there is a perception of a lack of police presence in the Parish.
5- EDUCATION Responses to the questionnaire suggested that pre-school and primary school facilities are considered about right, but perhaps account needs to be taken of the age distribution of the sample (60% aged 60+). [It should be noted that Ofsted considered both Box CE VC Primary School and Corsham Primary School to be ‘outstanding’ in both 2009 and 2010.] When questioned about the level of adult education in the Parish many chose not to answer the question. However of those that did only a third felt that the
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level of adult education offered in the Parish was about right. Further comments lamented a general lack of adult education available, and encouraged the idea of more.
6- GENERAL AMENITIES AND SERVICES Amongst the stakeholders consulted the following were listed amongst the top ‘likes’: lots of activities, shops, cafes, post-office, surgery, chemist and Council and the Recreation Ground. In the questionnaire sent to residents of Box Parish more detailed comments included: The Recreation Ground: highly valued and seen as an asset to the Parish, being praised as ‘excellent’ and ‘very well kept’ and that the Parish was lucky to have it. Post Offices: generally praised although some mention of the difficulty of parking outside Box Post Office.
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The petrol station: praised for the combined convenience of petrol and shop, and low petrol prices, but less happy with the shop prices. The Pharmacy: attracted considerable praise ‘Fantastic personal service which goes the extra mile to help us all’ but again access and parking were both seen to be problematic. Shops: received a more mixed response, less to do with the quality of those that are available but rather to do with the lack of scope. Again parking was identified as a problem. The Selwyn Hall: a mixed response with positive comments (‘useful’ and ‘excellent’), but some comments on the need for an ‘update’, lack of comforts, and describing the toilets and kitchen as rather basic. The incorporation of the library was seen as a good thing. The Surgery: this showed the greatest single level of discussion. Some respondents complained of the difficulty experienced in getting appointments, and of seeing one’s preferred doctor, whereas others praised both doctors and staff.
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There were calls for more shops, possibly run as cooperatives. Despite problems with parking this was generally an area that Box Parish seemed to do well in.
7- COMMUNITY INFORMATION SOURCES Amongst the respondents from the questionnaire, the Parish magazine and the local Post Office stood in highest regard as means of keeping in touch with what happens in the Parish, followed by the Parish notice boards, word of mouth and Box library. Suggestions for improved community information sources suggested more use of, and more information in, the Parish Magazine as well as a more visible Parish Council which was more demographically representative, with better and prompter publication of its minutes. The Parish Council overall received little praise with more than half of the respondents wishing to know more about what the Parish Council does and felt that it pub-
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lished its activity to an inadequate degree. Invited to suggest other ways in which the Parish Council might improve its ability to communicate with the Parish, the main suggestions were more use of the Internet; primarily email updates and more public meetings, ‘surgeries’ and a greater ‘visibility’ in general. It was also suggested that there could be a newsletter, delivered free, perhaps monthly. 15% of respondents said that they had never heard of the Parish Website. Overall, the sense of community awareness is not high, with 42% of questionnaire respondents saying that they do not know enough of what is going on in the Parish. 78% of the questionnaire respondents said that they had Internet access something to consider for future action. 17
8- OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE LIFE IN BOX PARISH All respondents were asked how they would like to see Box Parish improved over the coming years. There was a clear consensus that tackling traffic and parking problems were the main hoped-for changes. Other issues included better footpath maintenance, more allotments, a market in the Market Place, better Broadband, better clearance of litter throughout, emptying of litter and dog bins and general improvement all round. Environmental issues were not generally given a priority although some respondents did suggest the need for protection and greater awareness of the ‘green’ environment, tackling light pollution and improvement of unsightly buildings, signage etc.
In conclusion there is a sense that for most people living, working or playing in the Parish of Box there is a high degree of satisfaction and appreciation of what is available. This tends to result in a wish for things to remain as they are, a desire for the ‘status quo’, and, apart from traffic and parking, no significant consensus on problems
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or changes needed. Many of the dislikes or problems identified in these surveys seem beyond the control of the local communities or Parish Council and are tied to changes that are happening at county, national and even perhaps, international levels. Although there seems to be very little local control available over these matters, solutions do need to be explored. There is also an apparent lack of knowledge about what is currently being done by various groups and organisations such as the Parish Council to try and deal with these issues, and so better information and communication might help.
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SECTION THREE – SUGGESTED ACTION PLAN Given the opinions and concerns expressed by respondents in Section Two of this plan the following courses of action present themselves as logical solutions. 1- HOUSING To strive to preserve green belt and community character. To identify brownfield sites in the Parish and to support and encourage the use of these and infill for new development. To conserve the green belt and geographical character of the Parish. To encourage housing that is affordable, starter and sheltered. To take into account the location of flood plains and adequacy of local amenities before approving new development. To avoid over development. To pursue these objectives as vigorously as possible with Wiltshire Council, local MPs and other avenues of influence. 20
2- ACCESS & TRANSPORT Volume of traffic To explore ways with relevant authorities to reduce the volume of traffic through the Parish of Box, such as improved public transport, car pooling, diversion of traffic and all other relevant measures. To lobby Wiltshire Council and seek to actively work with B&NES to introduce an acceptable Park & Ride system on the eastern boundary of Bath. To lobby Wiltshire Council over the poor state of the roads in the Parish. Speed of traffic To work with local groups (police, county council and community groups) to enforce speed limits, to introduce traffic calming measures such as speed humps, chicanes, etc. To lobby, in conjunction with local community groups, Wiltshire Council, transport authorities and MPs for a reduction in speed limits on A4 and other roads in the Parish. 21
Parking To explore opportunities for additional parking in the centre of Box village. To explore the possibility of introducing time limits on parking for Market Place and Queen Square car parks, thereby increasing turnover of space availability. To improve utilisation of space at Selwyn Hall car park. To lobby the Highways Department of Wiltshire Council for the decommissioning of some yellow lines in the centre of Box village. Public Transport To encourage greater coordination between public transport types (buses/trains) through CTAG and Wiltshire Council. To lobby all relevant authorities for shuttle trains between Chippenham (and possibly Swindon) and Bristol, to include stops at Corsham and Box (and possibly Royal Wootton Bassett). 22
Pedestrians and cyclists To lobby Wiltshire Council for cycle lanes. To explore the provision of cycle parking e.g. top of Valens Terrace and any other suitable sites. To lobby Wiltshire Council for additional zebra crossings. To lobby Wiltshire Council for the rephasing of traffic lights on the A4 into Box at Memorial traffic lights to remove green filter. To seek solutions to the problem of pedestrian access across Brunel Bridge with Wiltshire Council and Network Rail.
3- GENERAL FACILITIES & RECREATIONAL AMENITIES To explore and encourage the enablement of free WIFI throughout the Parish. To be more proactive in supporting and funding the start-up of local community groups. To continue to support the maintenance and level of current facilities and amenities. 23
4- SOCIAL PROBLEMS & POLICING To liaise with local police and Police Commissioner to raise and maintain a more appreciable police presence in the Parish. To encourage more Neighbourhood Watch groups. To work with agencies to ensure that any identified social problems are acted on (for example rough sleepers, vulnerable elderly, etc.). To design, implement and disseminate a structured emergency plan for individual and community needs.
5- EDUCATION To promote awareness of current local adult education opportunities. 24
6- GENERAL AMENITIES AND SERVICES To encourage the maintenance and continuation of the library and the volunteers that run it, both as an educational facility and as a hub for local information. To encourage the additional function of the Library as a local tourist information centre. To encourage the continued development of Selwyn Hall and the Pavilion as recreational, social and cultural centres. To maintain a workable balance between local facilities and population.
7- COMMUNITY INFORMATION SOURCES To explore new options for raising awareness of local issues by better use of local businesses, other organisations and information exchange points like the library, surgery and post offices, etc. To raise the profile of the Parish website both in the community and also to potential visitors. 25
8- OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE LIFE IN BOX PARISH To consider ways to promote Box Parish generally as a place to live, do business and as a tourist attraction.
SECTION FOUR - CONCLUSION We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the Box Communities Plan (2013-2020). Whilst this Plan focuses on issues such as traffic and policing there is a clear sense from those that we consulted that the communities of Box are a highly attractive place to live, work and play, that there are many positive aspects to life in Box Parish and that we all have a role in preserving our quality of life for future generations. This is a long term Plan and it will be up to current and future members of the communities, local organisations and councillors to take responsibility for the actions suggested in this Plan. At the time of writing the Localism Bill is being finalised and it is unclear exactly what powers and responsibilities may be devolved to local councils and communities in the future.
Box Communities Plan Steering Group. April 2013. 26
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‘This is a long term Plan and it will be up to current and future members of the communities, local organisations and councillors to take responsibility for the actions suggested in this Plan.’
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