The Grampound Times

Christmas 2006 (Edition 43)
Our community in Cornwall

The Grampound Times

 

Grampound with Creed Parish Council
Parish Plan Questionnaire - Notes

Response
Approximately 240 questionnaires were issued (one to each household) and 29 replies received (12%). The replies were entered onto a database and analysed as follows:

Housing
86% of replies indicate they would like to see affordable homes in the village, with a number specifying that it should be for local people only. 76% would support affordable housing, if it came as part of a development. But there was concern about any development, in terms of size and, in the case of the tannery site, access (one respondent pointed out that the width of the carriageway at the Creed Lane/Fore Street junction is only sufficient for one vehicle at a time).

The average number of affordable homes (arrived at by dividing the total number of homes by the number of replies) was 21. However, there is some evidence to suggest that the question was misleading – e.g. one respondent suggested 50 affordable homes for “local residents only”. In reality there are far less local people in need of affordable housing.

Employment and Local Businesses
There was strong support for local businesses, with 100% saying existing local businesses were important to them, and 97% saying they use the businesses. Most respondents (93%) rate it “important” to encourage retail outlets and small businesses (e.g. beehive and workshop units) in the village.

69% would like to see better advertising for existing businesses and 72% believe more parking would help. Suggestions for the siting of additional parking included the old garage, the recreation ground and “near the shops”, with several replies mentioning that they would like to see a restriction of waiting limits in the existing laybys.

There was strong support for a local produce market (90%), with 83% saying they would use it regularly.

Although it was not a specific question on the questionnaire, two replies felt that grants should be investigated to secure the future of the PO/stores.

79% would like to see tourism/leisure activities encouraged, to bring jobs in support industries.

Heritage, Tourism and Environmental Issues
86% supported the Parish Council’s initiative to create a Heritage Centre in the Town Hall, with only one respondent being against the proposal – the remainder did not answer the question.

A majority (79%) declared the footpaths were “important” to them and there was strong support (90%) for Grampound to be connected to the National Cycle Network, with 76% wishing to see a cycle link to Eden, Mevagissey and Tregony.

One resident would like to see pedestrian access to the old road to the east of the village.

Traffic and Transport
93% of respondents wish the Parish Council to continue to campaign for a bypass.

59% supported a community bus, but only 14% are prepared to help run the scheme or drive the bus. Rather fewer (55%) supported the idea of a car sharing scheme, but only 24% were prepared to help run the scheme or offer lifts.

It wasn’t just the need for a bypass, which concerned respondents, the state of the side roads were also mentioned, e.g. potholes, clearing of vegetative debris, etc. The use of temporary speed cameras was advocated by one resident.

There were two suggestions that commercial vehicles should be banned from the layby near Pepo Lane, to improve visibility when exiting this road.

Sport and Recreation
93% rated the provision of a MUGA (multi-use games area) as “important”, with several respondents mentioning specifically that they wanted to have a tennis court installed (either as part of a MUGA or as a separate facility).

Youth Issues
Support for a skateboard park in the village was divided with 52% voting against and 38% in favour – the remaining 10% did not answer the question. All those who supported the idea, wished to see it located in the recreation ground.

The lack of facilities for young people was of concern to a number of residents and the need for a youth club was highlighted – with one kind resident offering help in this respect.

Additional Comments
Several residents added additional comments to their form, which do not fit into any of the above categories:

  • A request for dog waste bins at either end of the village.

  • A wish that natural gas should be available to all residents, including those living on the outskirts of the village.

  • A request for something to be done to tidy up the old garage site.

Gillian Thompson
Parish Clerk

 

 


© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council