Wantage Neighbourhood Plan Survey Results

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2 Wantage Neighbourhood Plan Survey Results 1580 people completed our survey and the results are shown on the following pages. We are very pleased with the response rate and the fulsome nature of the responses provided. We believe that these results will give us a strong steer in the definition of the planning policies for the Town for the next 20 years and look forward to share the next stage in the process with you over the next few weeks. Thank you very much for you input. The graphs and notes on the following pages show the results of the survey in detail. If you have anything to add or wish to get involved in defining the details of the Neighbourhood Plan, please get in touch with us either via the Town Council or directly to me using the details below, Julie Mabberley Chairman, Wantage Neighbourhood Plan Council Offices Portway Wantage OX12 9BX by julie@wantageplan.org or by phone on

3 What is your age? 84 or older 75 to to to to to to to 25 Less than 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% Which of the following categories best describes your employment status? Wholly retired from work Employee in full-time job (30 hours plus per Employee in part-time job (under 30 hours Self-employed full or part-time Looking after the home Permanently sick/disabled Full-time education at school, college or Unemployed and available for work On a government supported training 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 3

4 Which of these describes your household best? Single person living alone Single adult with children living at home Single adult with children living away from home most of the time Single adult with elderly relative living in Two adults sharing Two adults with children living at home Two adults with children living away from home most of the time Two adults with elderly relative living in What made you want to live in Wantage? Family connections Local employment Cost of housing Easy access to London Easy access to Reading Easy access to Swindon Easy access to Oxford Easy access to the Science Vale Easy access to the Ridgeway / Downs Good transport links A clean tidy environment A peaceful, quiet environment A strong sense of community Good parks and green spaces Good community facilities Good pubs and/or restaurants Good health services Good leisure facilities Good local shops Local Countryside Historic Character of the Town 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 4

5 What type of home do you live in? 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% A flat A terraced house A semi-detached house A detached house A single storey home A two storey home A three storey home A bungalow How do you rate the services in Wantage? Broadband Mobile signal Telephone land lines Gas Electricity Refuse disposal Sewage disposal Drainage Consumer services Health services Schools Shops Parking Public Transportation Roads Excellent Good Adequate Poor 5

6 Under the Localism Act, the town can safeguard assets land and buildings that are important to the local community and have traditionally been used by the community. They can be submitted to the district council as Assets of Community Value and, if an asset comes up for sale, a special window is opened to give the community the chance to buy that asset before it goes to open market. Are there any assets in Wantage that you would like safeguarded in this way? The Vale and Downland Museum Wessex Mill (Mill Street) The Almshouses (Mill Street & Newbury The Bear Hotel The Old Town Hall (HSBC) The Post Office Vaults (in the Market Place) The Leisure Centre The Convent (Denchworth Road near the The Beacon (Civic Centre) The old Tramway building (Mill Street) King Alfred s Head Pub The Sack House 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% The National Planning Policy Framework gives local communities the opportunity to protect very important green areas by designating them as Local Green Spaces. This prevents them being built on in all but exceptional circumstances. Which of the following green spaces in Wantage would you especially like to see safeguarded in this way? Letcombe Brook corridor The Platt (including Betjeman Park and Alfred s The old Wilts and Berks Canal route Manor Park Mably Way Playing fields The Allotments Willow Walk Nature Reserve King Alfreds Centre Site Playing fields The Wharf and cycle way (from Mill Street to the King Alfred s East Site Playing Fields The Humber Ditch and surrounding green area Fenced green recreational space near the Charlton Harcourt Green The green space in Stockham Phase 2 housing 6 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

7 Which of the following is important to you? Protection and enhancement of Letcombe Brook to provide local water, a green corridor for people and Protecting the surrounding countryside from development A full Green Spaces Plan to manage future needs of existing green spaces and promote more green More open green spaces linked by green corridors More work to protect local wildlife habitats Better day-to-day care of existing open green spaces Separate spaces for wildlife and people/pets More help for volunteers to manage open green spaces More allotments 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% What would you like to see provided in and around green open spaces? More rigorous policing of littering, dog-fouling etc. Walking routes Cycle friendly paths Wildlife areas, hedgerows, wildflower meadows, bird More trees Benches More litter and dog waste bins Equipment for teenagers e.g. skatepark Play equipment for 5-12 year olds Communal orchards and edible plants Play equipment for under fives Fitness equipment for adults 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 7

8 Do you agree that Wantage, Grove and other nearby villages should have protected Strategic Green Gaps between them to help to preserve their different characters and distinctiveness? Yes No Road Network Which roads through Wantage most need developing? Western Relief Road from the aeroplane (Mably Way) to East Challow through Grove Tech Park (taking traffic away from Denchworth Road) Eastern Relief Road from the Grove Road Roundabout at the end of Mably Way to the A417 East of Wantage A417 East from Lockinge to A34 A338 North from Mably Way roundabout to A420 B4507 Ickleton Road from the Leisure Centre towards Letcombe/Challow 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 8

9 What do you think of the current sport facilities in Wantage/Grove? Bowling Green Tennis Courts Croquet Pitches Cricket Pitches Rugby Pitches Football Pitches Badminton Courts Squash Courts at Wantage Studios at Wantage Leisure The Sports Hall at Wantage The Swimming Pool at Wantage The Gym at Wantage Leisure 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Needs replacing In need of improvement Ok Good The District Council is planning a new leisure centre in Wantage/Grove. What would you like to see in this facility? Swimming pool (indoor) Multi use courts/games area Childrens swimming pool Sports Hall Adult gym Equipment Running track and athletics facilities Climbing Wall Water slide Wave machine Swimming pool (outdoor) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 9

10 What do you think of the current facilities for creative activities i.e. visual arts, performance arts and crafts in the Wantage area? Metalwork Printmaking Textiles Woodworking Choral music Ceramics, Sculpture Orchestral music Painting Opera Jazz Popular music Dance Drama 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% In need of improvement Ok Good What additional facilities should there be in Wantage for the Arts? Arts & Craft Classes Something like the Cornerstone Theatre Cinema 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 10

11 What other leisure facilities would you like to see funding was available? Cinema Multi use community hall Nature Park Theatre Venue for performing arts Play Parks Spa Hotel Cycling Circuit/Velotrack Skate Park Ice rink F1 Karting Academy Golf Course BMX Track Indoor driving range Skating Rink Bingo Hall Horse Racing 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% Other popular suggestions included indoor bowls and a ten pin bowling alley. 11

12 Parking in Wantage Existing parking spaces in the town centre will not be able to cope with the future demand from the major new housing developments planned for Wantage and Grove. What type of public parking (i.e. other than the supermarket car parks) would you want to see in Wantage in the future? 40.0% Limited public parking in the town centre (same amount as today or less) with large car parks outside the town centre but with 35.0% regular bus services to the town centre and Market Place 30.0% 25.0% Large short-term (possibly multi-storey) car parks in the town centre close to the Market Place (less than 5 minutes walk) 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% Large short-term car parks in the town centre close to the Market Place (less than 5 minutes walk) with large long-term car parks outside the town centre but with regular bus services to the town centre and Market Place 0.0% Enforcement of Parking Restrictions Should on-street parking restrictions be enforced? Don't Know No Yes No Don't Know Yes 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 19% of those who gave details wanted no parking on Mill Street and a similar number wanted restrictions on Wallingford Street and Newbury Street. There were also many comments about the parking around schools. 12

13 Should entrances/ exits be narrowed to slow down traffic? Traffic Calming Should residential areas away from main roads have some form of traffic calming to slow traffic down? Should more speed bumps be installed? Should 20mph speed limits be introduced? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% No Yes Rail Station If Grove station reopened and offered a local service which connected with the intercity trains would you use it? Would you use it for leisure? Would you use it for work? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Don't know No Possibly Yes 13

14 Didcot Station / Town Centre Ardington and the Hendreds Hanneys/Marcham/Frilford Letcombe/Childrey/Ashbur Bus Routes Which bus routes from Wantage town centre are/would be the most important for you? Oxford City Centre Oxford Hospitals Abingdon Newbury Wantage local area Grove Village Swindon Harwell Campus Milton Park None, I don't use buses Faringdon Reading Grove Technology Park Hungerford 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% Where should the main bus stop or station be located in Wantage? In the Market Place Outside the Market Place but near by One main location outside the town centre (possibly combined with a coach park) but with regular hopper services from it to the Market Place Several, smaller (possibly Park and Ride style) locations like Crab Hill, Grove Tech Park, North Grove, Challow with regular services to the centre of town 14

15 The Market Place is the heart of Wantage. How would you like to see it developed in the future? Should traffic be excluded from the Market Place and forced to divert around the Town Centre? The only taxi rank in the town is in the Market Place. Is it important that it remains here? The main bus stop for Wantage is in the Market Place and buses often wait there for a while. Should buses be required to pick-up/drop off Should the bus stop and taxi rank be moved out of the Market Place and nearer to the Supermarkets? Most of the spaces around the edge of the Market Place are for disabled drivers only, are there enough disabled spaces at the moment? How important is parking in the Market Place? Would you like to see less parking in the Market Place to allow more space for other The only pedestrian areas in the Market Place at the moment are outside the Bear Hotel /Greggs and around the King Alfred Statue. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% No, I disagree Yes, I agree The current markets on Wednesday and Saturday are mainly food and the Monthly Farmers Market is limited to farm produce. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Should the markets be expanded to fill the same area covered by the Fair? Would you like to see more speciality markets such as French/ Italian/ Spanish etc. Should the Wednesday and Saturday markets include both food and local crafts, artists, jewellery makers etc. No Yes 15

16 What single improvement would encourage you to use central Wantage more? Over 900 people expressed an opinion with 67% wanting more variety of better shops, particularly shoe and clothes shops, although speciality food shops, DIY, sport and book shops all got a mention. 15% specifically want less traffic and more pedestrian space in the Market Place and 12% want less charity shops. Street Furniture Road signs, Benches, Litter Bins, Street Lights What are your views on Street Furniture? Secure cycle parking Litter Bins Benches Planters Pedestrian crossings Street Lights Bus Shelters Road Signs 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Take some away Keep as is More please 16

17 Footpaths Almost 60% of respondents use footpaths for work or leisure and the most popular routes are: To/from Grove In and around the centre of Wantage Along Letcombe Brook The Platt, Betjeman Park and Poets Walk To/from Charlton To/from Ardington, To/from Letcombe Regis Along Mably Way Along the Canal All of the footpaths seem to be in need of improvement, with specific comments relating to lighting, weeds and overgrown trees. New footpaths are suggested for: Ickleton Road From the cemetery to Manor Road and Lark Hill To the Health Centre from the town centre Along the A338 from Grove Bridge to North Grove Along Mill street to the Camel Roundabout Cycleways 25% of respondents use cycles for work or leisure and the most popular routes are: To/from Grove Through Lockinge, Ardington and on to Harwell Although almost a half of all cyclists stick to the roads or don t know that we have any cycle routes. All existing cycleways seem to be in need of improvement and there were specific comments about the lack of connectivity When asked about the need for new cycleways, the major comment was Anywhere and everywhere so people can cycle safely. Specific areas mentioned include along the A417 and A338 and safe routes to schools. 900 people want a combined cycle path, walkway and green space running from the Health Centre to the Leisure Centre avoiding as many roads as possible. 17

18 Health and Well-Being Facilities Which of the following health and well-being facilities do you think need to be improved or expanded in Wantage? Community Hospital Police Station/Counter Service in the centre of Wantage GP/Medical surgeries Ambulance Station Non-residential/day centres Dental Surgeries 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% Comments included a number of people stressing the need for an A&E or minor injuries unit (or even an x ray facility) and maintaining the Fire Station in town as well as that all services will need to expand to cope with the increase in development. Community Facilities Existing community facilities in Wantage are generally owned by Wantage Town Council, Vale of White Horse District Council or by a Community Trust (like the Betjeman Millennium Trust or the Wantage Town Lands). Who should new community facilities be owned and managed by? Wantage Town Council Vale of White Horse District Council A Community Trust run by the Community 18

19 There are five Allotment sites in Wantage, would you support the possibility of using any unused land for another community purpose? Yes No Don't know Suggested uses included a play area for children, a community orchard, a day centre for older people or additional car parking. Although many people pointed out that new homes would require more allotments. Should schools in Wantage have off-road areas for coaches and cars to pick up and drop off children? Yes No Don't know Many people pointed out that this could only be done on new sites without giving up playing fields but also stressed that people should be encouraged to walk to school. 19

20 Which of the following types of educational facilities do you think are most in need of expansion in Wantage? Local secondary school provision Local primary school provision Adult education provision Provision for pre-schoolers Play groups/ parent toddler groups 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% Secondary Schools Should a new secondary school be integrated with King Alfred s or managed independently of King Alfred s? Integrated Independently managed Don't know Many people were uncomfortable about the dominance of the Academy in the area and would prefer a choice. If King Alfred s School no longer needs East Site (Springfield Road) should it be kept for educational/leisure purposes such as a new primary school or adult education or a leisure centre? Yes No Don't know 20

21 Priorities for funding On which of the following activities do you believe money should be spent first in Wantage? New rail station Open Green Spaces Cycle Paths Pedestrianisation of the Market Place Pavements Town Centre Car Parks Reducing (motor) traffic through the town Leisure facilities Educational facilities Off-road School parking Youth facilities Bus Services Community facilities Enforcement of parking restrictions Public facilities for Visual Arts, Sports facilities New bus station Traffic calming Street Furniture 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% Most other suggestions were road improvements (particularly repairing surfaces). 21

22 What style of housing would you like to see included in any new housing developments? Two-storey Semi-detached houses Houses with off-street parking spaces Houses with garages Detached houses Life-time homes (greater accessibility) Larger gardens Terraced houses Single-storey (bungalow) Supported housing Homes with space to work / home office Homes with annexe / granny flat Flats / apartments Communal gardens Smaller gardens Three-storey 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Mostly Some None Would you move? If a suitable property was available on a new development, would you be interested in: Moving to a home that is more energy efficient? Downsizing to a property on a single level (i.e. flat or Upsizing to a larger property? Downsizing to a property with fewer rooms? Moving to a home with more parking? Moving to a home with a smaller garden? Moving to a home with facilities for the less mobile? Moving to a home with space to work from home? Moving to a home with a granny flat? Moving to supported housing? 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% %

23 Given that the new Local Plan for the Vale includes a policy that sets a minimum density of 30 dwellings per hectare (100m x 100m) unless specific local circumstances indicate a lower density is appropriate and that most of Wantage and Charlton (Stockham Park, Charlton Heights, Elizabeth Drive, Naldertown etc.) are approximately 25 homes per hectare. Do you agree that there is a strong argument for invoking a lower minimum density for new developments on the fringes of Wantage/Charlton? Yes No, I'm happy for new homes to be closer together to use less land. Don't know Most comments wanted more space for parking and green space between properties. Design features Which of the following design features should be standard in new developments in Wantage? Parking spaces with free-draining surfaces (not tarmac) Use of eco materials (produced with less impact on the environment than conventional materials like Eco-friendly design (high energy and water efficiency, solar panels) Design that deters criminals (e.g. good lighting, overlooked car parking areas) Following a local traditional style guide and reflecting historic features in new developments Use of local building skills More car parking spaces Use of local materials (e.g. red brick, tiled roof) Design that helps local wildlife Sympathetic landscaping (that blends with natural surroundings) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 23

24 The amount of space available for the retail and business services is important. Which of the following statements do you agree with? The amount of space for retail and business services should remain similar to the present day The amount of space for retail and business services should expand proportionally with the proposed growth in housing The amount of space for retail and business services should expand more in order to attract more customers from further afield Many comments wanted existing space to be used wisely. Any planned expansion of our retail and business services will require redevelopment of the areas around the present town centre. Please indicate whether or not you agree with the suggestions below: Some of the existing businesses which do not need to be in the Town centre should be allowed to move to sites otherwise not intended for development to encourage them to move out of the town centre Provision should be made on the edge of the town for new business premises to the East and West on Challow Road and Charlton Road The commercial centre of the Town should be allowed to expand past the Beacon to the south of the Portway and Ickleton Road into AONB land Residential developments should be resisted in and around the Town Centre 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% No Possibly Yes Many comments wanted Grove technology Park to be expanded and commercial developments linked to the Western Relief Road. 24

25 What kind of shops/business services would you like to see moving to Wantage? More of the same kind would be good No more, there are enough already Other kinds of shops or businesses (please tell us what you would like to see in Wantage) Don't know What types of shops would you like to see? Based on comments provided people want: A kitchen shop A variety of better shops A department store An outdoor/sport shop No more charity shops A book shop Independent shops M&S Chain stores Specialist food shops Another supermarket A DIY or hardware shop Clothes shops A shoe shop (like Clarks) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 25

26 Over the next 20 years to 2031, do you think that there will be a need for more places of employment in Wantage? Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Not sure/don t know If there are new employment opportunities in Wantage, what type of facilities do you think would suit our town? Office/professional services Small research/ light industrial units A business centre with office facilities and private meeting rooms to rent Factory/industrial units Storage/warehouse facilities 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Don't know No Possibly Yes Where should any future employment facilities be located? I don t think there should be further employment development in Wantage Alongside existing employment Integrated with new homes Separate from new homes 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 26

27 If you work from home or intend to work from home in the future, which of the following facilities would be important to you? Local overnight accommodation Parking near the business facilities in town Parking for visitors near my home Meeting room / conference facilities in town Hot desking facilities in town Good mobile signal Good broadband Local source of office supplies Local post office Local business banking 0% 50% 100% Don't know Not important Important How good do you rate the services in Wantage for your business? Broadband Mobile signal Telephone land lines Gas Electricity Refuse disposal Sewage disposal Drainage Parking Public Transportation Roads 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Poor Adequate Good Excellent 27

28 What are the best things about Wantage? The sense of community and friendliness of the town and the people The local facilities, shops, market, library etc. Its rural nature with surrounding countryside Its history (including King Alfred), heritage and character The accessibility and proximity to Oxford, London, Newbury and Swindon The small market town feel What are the problems in Wantage? The traffic congestion and poor roads The lack of good infrastructure The scale of development with sufficient thought for facilities required The poor variety of shops and excess of charity shops The poor bus service (with the exception of the Oxford service) The state of the pavements and streets with litter, dog mess and overhanging trees How would you like to see Wantage develop over the next 20 years? Maintaining the good things and resolving the problems Sensitively, environmentally, sustainably With roads and other infrastructure keeping pace with housing At a measured rate housing to be matched by places of employment. More cycle tracks and footpaths. Roads improved and properties maintained and proper provision for the aged. Whilst we accept the need for further housing and employment opportunities, it is important to retain the unique nature of Wantage and the surrounding area. If you have anything to add or wish to get involved in defining the details of the Neighbourhood Plan, please get in touch with us either via the Town Council or directly to me using the details below, Julie Mabberley Chairman, Wantage Neighbourhood Plan Council Offices Portway Wantage OX12 9BX by julie@wantageplan.org or by phone on