Parish Plan Summary January 2005

The information in this document is a summary of your responses to our exhibition and survey consultations with you on a plan for the future of Barton Stacey parish.

We would like to thank you for giving us your time and it is our hope that this document will be of interest and value to you. A copy of the full formal version is available to read at the village shop.

With the distribution of this document and, having passed on your responses to the Parish Council, this working group has now completed its original remit. We trust that there will be further action on the ideas and suggestions you have so generously provided.

• Martin Bearparkl
• Wayne Wreglesworthl
• Alison Burgessl
• Mike Oxladel
• Syd Chapmanl
• Derek Greenl
• Nick Goodall

Barton Stacey Parish Plan

Response to parish questionnaire

Subject: Parish Development

Of forms returned 36% had comments

In this section Parishioners were invited to express their opinion on how the village environment might be improved

• 56% of Parishioners are happy with the environment as it is
• People would like to see more litter bins in the parish
• 56% said that the Parish Council should improve their communications to the Parish
• 63% would like to see better use of the derelict army land
• 67% would like to see a Youth Club formed
• 68% would like to see the traffic and parking situation improved throughout the Parish

Subject: The Local Environment

Of forms returned 31% had comments

In this section Parishioners were invited to express their opinion on the noise from the A303 and Army Training, smells from the factory and support of the shop and post office.

• Generally, the noise from Army training does not constitute a problem for the parishioners although they would like to see a restriction during the night time
• In addition, both the noise from the A303 and the smells from the factory did not cause a concern
• There was significant agreement that both the shop and post office should be actively supported.

Subject: Village Hall & Sports Pavilion

Of forms returned 18% had comments

In this section Parishioners were invited to express their opinion on the existing Village Hall and Pavilion and comment upon the need for either improvements to or renewal of the current facilities.

• There were many conflicting views on this subject with no significant majority for either suggestion
• Generally, of those in favour to renew the existing buildings there was a feeling that a feasibility study should be undertaken by a group of volunteers to determine the needs of the parish and the financial viability of such a project
• The main concerns of those that were opposed to this idea were:
  1. The cost to build the new facility
  2. The cost to maintain the new facility
  3. The parking
  4. The cost to use the new facility

Subject: Cricket Team

Of the forms returned 7% had comments

In the section we asked Parishioners if they would like a cricket team to be formed in the village.

• As expected, this didn't provoke a large response as it was only pertinent to those interested in Cricket
• Generally, the response was not in favour of a Team as it was felt that keen cricketers would already be involved in other cricket clubs and that there are no facilities to play in the village. Upkeep would also be very time consuming
• However some support was recorded and should not be dismissed completely. Possible suggestions would be to play the occasional game and utilise neighbouring pitches and this would therefore bring like minded people together and create an improved community spirit

Subject: Housing

Of forms returned 21% had comments

In this section Parishioners were invited to express their opinion on the possibilities of major housing development being undertaken in the Parish.

• 8075% agreed that a housing plan should be drawn up which would include confirmation that the infrastructure of the village is sufficient to support any development % said that they are against major development to the Parish. Generally agreement the any development should be small and sympathetic to the current village character
• 67% are against Greenfield development, but the use of Brownfield sites have general support
• 70% are in favour of affordable housing particularly for the 'sons and daughters' of the village
• 58% indicated their support of new housing in the Parish

Subject: Traffic

Of forms returned 34% had comments

Aroused strong feeling with high percentage comments and real expectation of improvement.

• Traffic requires better management, improved observation and greater driver responsibility
• Reduction in car use for local trips especially where congestion occurs at School and High Street area
• Discourage through traffic
• Provide safe crossing outside shop, hall, car park, pub, entrance to play area and football field
• Improve pathway connection from Kings Elms to Roberts Road
• Improve safety awareness for all involved - drivers, parents and children
• Some concern to improve parking outside school and shop
• Road surfaces require better management

Subject: Transport

Of forms returned 26% had comments

Unanimous call for improvement.

• Service provided should best match the needs for links with work and education
• It would be nice to have social service provided
• Sense of realism about commercial viability with low commitment to self funding
• Few comments on taxi service and lift sharing

Subject: Healthcare

Of forms returned 23% had comments

Overall recognition that the Parish is not big enough to support a full time surgery.

• Very positive comments about the prescription service at the shop.
• Very positive comments about the service at Gratton (Sutton Scotney)
• Identified need for a weekly surgery (as in South Wonston)
• Identified need for bookable/scheduled transport to Gratton

Subject: Crime/Security/Nuisance

Of forms returned 10% had comments

Agreement that crime in the Parish is relatively low. Small number of comments confirms this.

• What happened to 'Neighbourhood Watch' Scheme?
• More police visibility would be 'nice'
• More police talks at school

Subject: Animals

Of forms returned 21% had comments

Dog fouling is a significant irritation.

• Signs help but cannot solve the problem
• More bins might help
• Identified need for education/enforcement
• 'Name and Shame' process suggested
• No confidence in any prosecution process

The Importance of Young People in the Parish

The development of young people is seen as important and figures strongly throughout the responses to the parish questionnaire.

1. Current provision for young people is greatly valued and includes an excellent local junior/infant school, a flourishing play group, a popular play area, 2 drama groups, judo and soccer clubs and a developing Youth forum.
2. Parishioners would support the further development of:
   • Youth activities of all kinds
   • A larger playground/ general access to tennis courts
   • Better transport links to Winchester and Andover to enhance the social life of young people
   • The development of more recreational space for young people
3. New ideas and areas to spend £1000 were many:
   • Equipment to set up a village youth club which would provide an impetus to more activities for teenagers which could include an Outdoor club, a Duke of Edinburgh's Award unit
   • Specific cycle routes, skateboard facilities, more play equipment
   • The work of the Youth Council, particularly consulting on what they, as young people, would like to see in the village

Volunteering

There were 114 returns of the questionnaire and these included 55 offers of help in the following areas:

Parish (12), Traffic (3), Healthcare (3), Transport (1), Village Hall (10), Environment (6), Crime (4), Cricket (6), Animals (9), Planning (1)

Names and addresses of volunteers have been gratefully recorded for possible future activity.

Other General Questions

This section had a number of questions which invited parishioners to summarise their overall feelings about our community education and welfare provision. There was an excellent response to this section.

1. Most valued provision was the school and play group, closely followed by the shop and post office, pub, church, village hall, community activities, recreational facilities and the surrounding countryside
2. These were also the areas which parishioners would least like to lose.
3. Areas for further support in the future consisted of:
   • Youth activities (all ages), Societies, better local health provision and a bigger village hal
   • Better, convenient public transport.
   • Increased leisure facilities - tennis courts, footpaths, allotments, gardening club, evening classes.
4. Suggested new provision of services and facilities were:
   • Link to the National Gas Grid, a village leisure map, better signposting, footpath maintenance, a visible police presence.
   • A larger shop/ post office with photocopying and a cash point availability in the village.
5. The most common suggestions for spending £1000 were on:
   • Clubs/Societies equipment.
   • A cleaner, tidier village environment - more trees/ maintained verges and footpaths/ new railings in the village centre/ better road surfaces
   • Youth activities
   • The village hall.
   • Other choices were more rubbish/dog bins/ road signs and the play area