|
|
Hungerford 2010+ Town Plan (final text) October 2005 Click on this link to download a pdf version of the final text document
Introduction ................................................................................... 3 1. Environment ................................................................................... 5 2. Economy......................................................................................... 7 3. Population and housing................................................................... 9 4. Transport and accessibility............................................................ 11 5. Education and life long learning .................................................... 14 6. Children and young people............................................................ 16 7. Culture and heritage ..................................................................... 18 8. Health and social care ................................................................... 20 9. Crime and public safety................................................................. 22 10. Tourism ........................................................................................ 24 11. Sport, leisure and open spaces ...................................................... 26 More detailed information on the following subjects may be found on the Statement of Community Involvement – the plan for seeking the views of Community Involvement report – how the plan was actually carried out Survey reports – full results of the business survey, public survey and A Transport Strategy for Hungerford – details of transport objectives and Hungerford 2010+ Action Plan – a full list of all actions arising from the 2010+ Welcome to the Hungerford 2010+ Town Plan – a vision for Hungerford to the The Hungerford 2010+ Town Plan project grew out of public meetings beginning Following the public meetings, over 40 local residents volunteered to become From the outset the intention was to create a plan for the future of Hungerford, Contact was made with a wide range of organisations and groups in the town and Finally a detailed questionnaire was distributed to every household seeking views The results of the questionnaire are summarised at the back of this booklet and Clearly the overwhelming wish of local people is to maintain the essential We hope that you will find this booklet helpful and informative but, having read The 2010+ plan includes many key actions which range from short term, low cost Every bit as important as the funding will be the energy and enthusiasm of the We hope you enjoy the plan. Background Hungerford is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and adjoins several The FutureHungerford must ensure that the development of the town is Policies Preserve the traditional character of Hungerford and its setting within the Protect and enhance the Common, the Marsh, the SSSI’s and the Minimise the environmental impact of future developments. Ensure that vital resources, especially water supply and sewage disposal, Work to improve access to the countryside. Encourage effective and efficient management of the rural landscape. Promote increased waste recycling and activities which reduce pollution Conduct an environmental audit of the High Street and historic town Reduce the impact of traffic in the High Street and improve the pedestrian Ensure that any new developments on the edge of town are screened with Create green spaces and encourage tree planting within the town. Oppose Require that all new developments satisfy current best practice for energy Increase waste recycling by extending services to include plastics, Support the objectives of the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Support a conservation based management plan for areas such as the Improve the footpath and cycle networks into the countryside. Promote sustainable and viable agricultural and woodland management. Create greater public awareness and consultation regarding planning Ensure that the redevelopment of the library and public toilets is well Background There are over 300 businesses in and around Hungerford, most of which are Many companies expected to grow moderately, but experienced difficulty in The Future Businesses want to see the town evolve and improve the quality of its shops and Hungerford could be a premium shopping destination, attracting visitors from Local businesses would prefer to recruit local people, so new housing For Hungerford to be prosperous, it needs to look well kept, therefore Charnham Policies Encourage the success of the retail sector on the High Street and preserve Raise the standard of accommodation and hospitality facilities. Support rural skills where possible and promote local production for local Allow for controlled provision of additional land to meet local business Key Actions Revitalise the Hungerford Chamber of Commerce which can then help to Produce a newsletter to be circulated to local people with information on Promote the town as a tourist destination (see Tourism section). Actively encourage the employment of local workers in local businesses. Encourage businesses to take students on work experience placements Improve the general maintenance of property and prevail upon owners to Oppose planning applications for any change from business use of the Provide more starter business units in the area. Background At the time of the 2001 Census Hungerford had a population of 5,559, an The town has a good mix of housing types though prices are high and many are In 2001 Hungerford had 2,455 households. The rate of house building in the The Future Hungerford needs to ensure that new housing development does not damage the New developments should meet the needs of all sectors of the community - the Policies Ensure that new housing does not encroach unnecessarily on the Encourage the development of new housing within the existing built up Ensure that new developments meet the needs of all sectors of the Seek to ensure that new housing meets the needs of the community – Seek agreements which give priority to local people in allocation of new Investigate ownership schemes which make house purchase more Support Sovereign Housing in its plans to redevelop existing sites such as Until Housing Site Allocations are adopted as part of West Berkshire As part of the new WBC Framework restrict any development outside the Prohibit the building of new housing along the A4 or A338. Oppose infill developments, for example in gardens, where density or Provide land for housing by relocating industry from areas such as Ensure that new developments are of a high design quality, in keeping with
Background Hungerford benefits from a railway station and some local bus links, but is The Future Access for all users whether by vehicle, foot or cycle needs to be improved Traffic forecasts predict increased number of vehicles on all roads with likely Pedestrian and cycle routes need to be improved and there needs to be greater Policies Improve transport safety. Work to reduce road accidents and improve Reduce traffic delays. Ensure adequate parking is available in the town. Reduce the environmental effects of transport. Encourage cycling and walking with more facilities for pedestrians and Ensure transport services are accessible to all, including the mobility Reduce reliance on the private car and reduce the need to travel. Key Actions Provide a separate pedestrian crossing over the canal on the High Street. Reduce delays and ease traffic flow by diverting the A4 via Charnham Park. Reduce delays caused by parked cars on Bridge Street, for example by Improve road safety near schools and introduce safer routes to the schools. Improve road safety on the A4 and A338 approaches to Hungerford. Provide better routes for pedestrians from Eddington and Charnham Park Complete and improve pavements, particularly on access roads such as Create more pedestrian refuges e.g. an island at the entrance to Provide a pedestrian crossing on Church Street near the High Street Improve the Boarden Carriage footpath between the John O’Gaunt pub and Change existing parking to give more short term spaces for shoppers on Increase the use of Station Road long term car park by improving signage, Reduce Heavy Goods Vehicle use of the High Street. Seek improvements to the railway station and bus stops with more flexible Encourage more cycling by providing more secure cycle parking in the Background There are three schools in the town - Hungerford Nursery School, Hungerford The schools have received one year’s worth of funding to expand the facilities and The Future HSCP is an integrated community project bringing together education, childcare, Working together with the West Berkshire Education Business Partnership and All agencies must be sustainable both financially and in terms of the services Policies Encourage the development of life long learning for all in Hungerford. Develop and maintain the partnership approach with all schools working Increase levels of achievement by improving the range and quality of Key Actions Work to make the Hungerford Schools Community Partnership a success. Increase the contribution to the physical well-being of the whole Ensure family support workers are provided for all three schools. Develop preventative services to include health, well-being and advice from Use any available free places in classes run at schools as part of a drive to Set up holiday play schemes plus breakfast and lunch clubs to provide Develop and publicise links to the Children's Information Service which is Encourage the different agencies to work together and communicate Background Hungerford serves a large number of people in nearby villages as well as its own The Future It is important that children and young people grow up in a safe and healthy Policies Ensure that children and young people grow up in a safe and healthy Encourage children and young people to be more involved with all other Ensure that young people become more aware of existing activities and Key Actions Improve access to information on local events, clubs and activities and Increase the variety of clubs and activities for young people such as setting Recruit more volunteers to help supervise clubs at the John O’Gaunt Improve and maintain transport links with neighbouring villages so that Make good use of the minibus links provided by the HSCP and the John Form a Young People's Council to represent Hungerford and its Encourage more child-friendly shops and ideas such as annual children’s Background Hungerford is an historic town with a rich and important heritage. It is known in Hungerford's population is too small to support an extensive range of cultural The Future By celebrating local heritage more positively a greater sense of civic pride can be Policies Promote the arts and local societies and increase access for all. Encourage the promotion of Hungerford’s history. Support existing and future cultural events such as Hocktide, the Encourage greater cultural and artistic links with other communities Key Actions Promote the development of a new multipurpose shared facility for arts, Update and improve access to information about the history of Hungerford. Develop schools programmes about local history. Develop plans for a town museum. Promote the conservation of the High Street, Bridge Street, Charnham Create a historic buildings restoration fund from a charge on new building. Support and encourage the Twinning Association with Liguel. Encourage more people to take part in the Hocktide activities each year but Support and encourage the HADCAF arts festival. Maintain and protect the town’s two War Memorials. Background Hungerford is one of the healthiest places to live in Britain. It is well served with The Future As a relatively small community competing for limited resources, the town must Policies Encourage the provision of all health services to meet the needs of local Ensure that all existing health services continue to be available in the town Promote healthy lifestyles for local people. Key Actions Examine the viability of establishing a national health dentist within the Ensure that as the population ages the services they require remain locally Lobby hard to retain the Chestnut Walk residential home and encourage Establish an effective patient participation group encompassing all Investigate the possibility of imposing a smoking ban in premises ahead of Retain existing specialised health services currently provided in the health Ensure that transport to and from local hospitals remains freely available Ensure that there is always a chemist in the town. Halt the recent decline in the level of maternity care provision and seek to Ensure that the services on offer are fully publicised and that people are Background Statistically Hungerford is one of the safest places in England and the fear of The Future The town must work in partnership with the police force to encourage a proactive Policies Minimise crime and anti-social behaviour in and around Hungerford. Encourage the community to work in partnership with the police to help Seek to ensure that all residents feel safe and secure. Work to reduce the fear of crime, particularly among the elderly Engender the further development of a caring community with the Key Actions Retain the manned police station and make sure people are aware of Campaign to reintroduce a permanent 'beat Bobbie' whose first priority is Introduce community support officers. Work with all relevant agencies to ensure that drug abuse does not become Keep the retained fire station and resist any moves to relocate it from its Ensure ambulance response times are maintained so that residents are Consider making drinking in public illegal to discourage anti social Encourage the police to enforce speed limits and parking restrictions on Background Hungerford is a thriving centre for the antiques trade but also has many Despite having so much for the visitor, very little is currently done to promote the The Future Hungerford needs to better promote itself as a tourist destination and base for Policies Promote Hungerford as an historic market town for visitors. Provide better facilities for visitors including improved information services, Use Hungerford’s location at the heart of the North Wessex Downs AONB to Key Actions Provide a drop off point and parking for a minimum of two coaches with Update the Tourist Information boards in the town and provide new maps Collate information from local businesses to produce leaflets highlighting Create a working group to co-ordinate tourist promotion including Introduce brown heritage signs on the M4 to show that accommodation, Improve web based tourist promotion and link to sites which promote Seek assistance, both financial and practical, from government bodies Raise the level of communication with other organisations which bring Produce a visitor guide on the history of Hungerford and its surrounding Background Hungerford is well served for open space and recreation areas and is fortunate These areas are regularly grazed by cattle and serve as open access space. A More formal recreation space is available around the town including football and Although Hungerford is well served for sports clubs they each act independently Hungerford benefits from two Leisure Centres with swimming pools and fitness The Future Both the Common and Freeman’s Marsh are greatly appreciated by the residents The children’s play areas vary in age, with the older ones being poorly designed Policies Provide and develop high quality indoor and outdoor sporting facilities to Encourage co-operation between the town’s sports clubs. Encourage full use of all sporting facilities by shared usage and resist any Provide high quality childrens’ play areas. Ensure that all public open spaces are well maintained, tidy and free of Keep all public benches well maintained. Key actions Maintain and improve the play areas and parks by renewing and extending Establish a new representative body to co-ordinate sporting activities in the Improve the club houses and facilities at the football and cricket clubs, Encourage the use by local people of the new floodlit sports facility at John Develop a youth rugby team and junior coaching sessions. Ensure the public swimming pool facilities continue to be maintained to a Retain the Triangle Field for sporting events and support Hungerford Work with the Town Council, West Berkshire and all involved with sports Preserve the town’s allotments and resist any development plans. Question Description Very / fairly Not very / not Keep the traditional character of Hungerford 97% 3% Protect the Marsh, Common & surrounding countryside 99% 1% Improve the environment of the Town Centre 91% 9% Provide more jobs in Hungerford 78% 22% Attract modern industry to Hungerford 58% 42% Encourage and support traditional rural skills in the area e.g. thatching 87% 13% Carefully control the growth in housing. 97% 3% Create more affordable housing to buy, rent and for shared ownership 80% 20% Improve bus and rail services 88% 12% New housing - Build only within the existing settlement areas (i.e. within the existing town 83% 17% New housing - Allow development into the surrounding countryside. 17% 83% New housing - Have a balance of infilling where possible and limited boundary extensions 63% 37% Agree strongly Disagree strongly Do you think that most new buildings in Hungerford look good? 57% 43% Should land for housing be released by moving industry elsewhere within the town e.g. 75% 25% Divert the A4 via Charnham Park with the A4 and Chilton Foliat junctions improved 81% 19% Reduce heavy goods vehicle movements through the town centre 92% 8% Reduce delays caused by vehicles parked on Bridge Street e.g. no parking during peak 88% 12% Improve road safety near schools and introduce safer pedestrian routes 95% 5% Improve road safety on the A4 and A338 approaches to the town e.g. install speed reactive 87% 13% Change existing parking to more short term on the High Street for shoppers and more long 89% 11% Provide a new footbridge for pedestrians to cross the canal on the High Street 66% 34% Provide better routes for pedestrians from Eddington and Charnham Park to the Town 79% 21% Widen and hard surface the Boarden Carriage (footpath behind the John O'Gaunt pub to 71% 29% Improve pedestrian safety in Church Street including a pedestrian crossing near the High 81% 19% Build an island at the entrance to Somerfield to help pedestrians cross the road 76% 24% Reduce the speed limit on all roads within Hungerford Common to 30 or 40 mph 89% 11% Provide more secure cycle parking in the town centre 87% 13% Create and signpost more cycle routes 82% 18% Extend the rugby pavilion in the Triangle Field to include a bar/function room and practice 80% 20%
Disagree strongly Set up a Film Club to screen films locally 86% 14% Build a new multipurpose shared facility for arts and social events, rehearsals and with 73% 27% Construct a new library and public toilets on the existing library and Church Street car park 84% 16% Tidy up and improve the appearance of childrens' play areas 95% 5% Publicise existing clubs and activities for young people and seek to provide more 96% 4% Improve provision and access to Tourist information e.g. website, leaflets, maps 94% 6% Provide parking for coaches and a convenient drop-off point 84% 16% Improve the surface of the canal towpath from Hungerford to both Newbury and Bedwyn 76% 24% Improve access to N.H.S. dental treatment in the town 96% 4% Retain a full range of healthcare services in or as close to the town as possible 99% 1% Increase visible policing in the town 94% 6% Provide community wardens to support local police 83% 17% YES NO Planning applications are now available to view in the Town Council Office. Do you know:- a) Where it is 53% 47% b) When it is open 22% 78% Would you make use of a late night shopping evening 35% 65% Do you use existing recycling facilities 83% 17% Would you recycle more if there was a weekly collection 70% 30% If there was a collection for the following would you recycle them:- a) Plastics 91% 9% b) Cardboard 90% 10% c) Green Waste (from your kitchen & garden) 80% 20% Which of these do you visit regularly (at least once every two weeks) Supermarket Post Office Wednesday Market Clothing Chemist 94% 68% 29% 9% 66% Bank/Bsociety News / Gifts Butcher/Baker/Veg Pub/Restaurant Antiques 68% 50% 41% 41% 8% Please show your age group: AGE (Under 20) AGE (20 - 34) AGE (35 - 49) AGE (50 - 64) AGE ( 65+ ) 5% 14% 26% 28% 27%
Key Partners Hungerford Chamber of Commerce Hungerford Croft Surgery Hungerford Nursery School Hungerford Primary School Hungerford Town Council John O’Gaunt Community Technology College John O’Gaunt Youth Community Centre North Wessex Downs AONB Sovereign Housing The Town & Manor of Hungerford West Berkshire Council
Community Group Partners Blind Club Ladybugs Bowling Club Mobility Trust Brownies Mother's Union C.H.A.I.N. Phoenix Brass Band Camera Club PROBUS Church Lane Dental Practice Rita Long School of Dance Community of Hungerford Theatre Group Rugby Club Cricket Club Scouts Explorer Scouts Silver Threads Football Club St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Friends of Hungerford Surgery St. Lawrence Church Bellringers Historical Association Tennis Club Hungerford Day Centre The Library Hungerford Forum Tuesday Club for the Disabled Hungerford Town Band Tuesday Fellowship Iceini Cub Pack Viking Cub Pack Iyenga Yoga Classes Walking Group John O’Gaunt Youth Group West Berkshire Disability Association Junior Football Club Women’s Institute Kennet Cassettes
Local Businesses Partners 1st Class Fruit & Veg Jane Corbett Milliner Adviser Jeanne Pettit African Trackwoods John O’Gaunt Inn Age of Elegance Kerridge All Well & Good Lamb Inn Bear Hotel Lifelong Learning Partnership Below Stairs Little Hidden Farm Borough Arms Mears Group Chilton Lodge Newbury Weekly News Combe Products NyeHaines Creative Toy Den Old Malthouse Dick Lovett, BMW Options Florists Divine Right Ltd Playground Services Down Gate Portman Building Society Education Business Partnership Railway Tavern Esprint Ltd Robertas Fare Wise Travel Roger King Antiques Financial Direction Roxton Bailey Robinson Worldwide Freeman Baker Associates Somerfield Furr & Co. Tally Ho! Greatworth Properties The Angel Hello Flower The Gentleman's Shop Herongate Leisure Three Swans Hotel Hidden Britain Turner Communications Hungerford Arcade Tutti Pole Hungerford Butchers Universal Press Inklings UPS Systems IT@Hungerford
Production of the Hungerford 2010+ Town Plan was sponsored by: West Berkshire Council Hungerford Town Council Awards for All (Lottery) Berkshire Community Foundation Photography courtesy of Hungerford Camera Club and Mark Robins
|
