Beaminster Parish Plan 2013-2023 by Nathalie Roberts

Beaminster Parish Plan 2013 2023

Foreword

We are moving into a new era, in which local communities are acquiring much more power over their own affairs. Parishes can now, for example, take planning into their own hands and construct their own Neighbourhood Plans which will determine what, and of what type can be built where in the parish. We are also in an age in which public funds are in short supply, but community and voluntary action are becoming more and more the norm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a whole series of new laws enabling community enterprises and community trusts to establish themselves and flourish. Against this background, it clearly makes abundant sense for Beaminster to develop its own parish plan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which may be the precursor for a full Neighbourhood Plan and which will help the town council and all the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elected representatives at every level of government, as well as business and voluntary organisations in the town to chart a course that is in line with the wishes of the people of the town. I am glad that the starting point has been a very full questionnaire. As so often happens when people are asked unbiased questions about a place they know well, the answers which come back are by no means obvious. I am sure that the striking consensus on a large number of points will ensure that this plan is genuinely a plan of, by and for the people of Beaminster.

18 March 2013 3

Beaminster Original drawing by Brian Cocks

FUTURE

How will Beaminster develop in the next 10 years?

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Red Lion

Monday 30 July from 7.30 pm Last chance to influence the questions to go in the questionnaire that will the basis for the Town Plan for the next ten years.

Look out for the questionnaire coming to all households in the Autumn.

Your views are important

info: www.beaminsterfuture.com email: beaminsterfuture@hotmail.co.uk

beaminster-future @BeaminsterFutur

Beaminster Future: independent volunteers helping Beaminsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community plan for the next ten years.

Content Page 2 Map of Beaminster Parish 3 Foreword 7 Introduction 8 Principal Recommendations 10 Brief History 12 The Planning Process 14 Results 15 Built Environment 20 Work and Commerce 22 Natural Environment 24 Getting Around 28 Whole Community 32 Leisure 35 Well Being 37 The Square 40 The Young People of Beaminster 42 Appendix 1: Young people survey results 46 Appendix 2: Visitors survey results 48 Acknowledgements

Appendix 3: ACTION PLAN 2013-2023 available separately in a Landscape format

Introduction Welcome to the Parish Plan for Beaminster Any survey of a communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views and aspirations is an exciting undertaking, you can never predict the outcome. It was with great anticipation, therefore, that the group of volunteers that came to be known as Beaminster Future, took on the task of helping the community of Beaminster compose a Parish Plan for the next ten years. We asked you what was important, and put together a questionnaire based on what you told us. We sent that questionnaire to every household and business in the Parish, and almost forty percent were returned, a response rate in line with other parishes. Those 623 questionnaire responses form the basis of this Plan. We are presenting the views of the people of Beaminster, reflecting what is important to you, and what you value about life in Beaminster. All the responses are reported here; nothing added and nothing taken away. You have enabled us to present a plan which, if delivered, will improve life in the Parish. The Plan describes how the people and businesses of Beaminster would like to see their community develop; it gives voice to desires for improved prosperity and quality of life. We expect the Plan to become an essential tool to advise our Town, District and County Councils about our social, economic and environmental concerns, so that the needs and wishes of local people are taken properly into account. The Plan will also be of value to service providers, to ensure that the needs of local people are recognised through direct action or through changes in policy. This exercise has been a significant undertaking, the importance of which has been underlined by the overwhelming support of all those in Beaminster who have played a part. It is, however, just the start. Recent months have clearly indicated that Beaminster has the desire and capability to face up to adverse, unforeseen events, but that is dealing with the past. This plan focuses on the future, and if Beaminster can address those challenges with the same fortitude and inventiveness, then that future will be all the better for it.

Principal Recommendations The following are the principal recommendations and these form the basis of the Action Plan going forward. (The detailed Action Plan can be found in the appendices) • Conduct a Housing Needs survey • Ensure town infrastructure requirements, drains and sewers, are fit for purpose now and are prioritised ahead of any future building developments • Investigate the feasibility of setting up a Community Land Trust • Enforce speed limits • Campaign for additional road crossings and pavements • Continue lobbying for additional banking services whilst supporting and using the Post Office and the Credit Union initiative • Convene a working group to promote Beaminster business • Provide improved work opportunities in and around Beaminster, especially for young people • Address specific issues where the following services and facilities are not effective: verge and open space management street cleaning Drain clearance Dog fouling • Create additional allotment space

• Introduce kerbside plastic recycling and garden waste recycling facilities • Improve traffic warden effectiveness • Actively consult with the community and take action to improve getting around in Beaminster for those with mobility problems • Yarn Barton to become a central information point for all Beaminster matters • Improve the quality and effectiveness of Beaminster Town Council communication with the community • Community to bring forward proposals for improved and additional leisure facilities for young people. Beaminster Town Council to offer every assistance to ensure proposals have every chance of success. • Campaign for ‘Urban Standard’ Freeview television reception • Improve promotion of Beaminster as a tourist destination • Continue to incentivise the “Be local, Buy local” initiative

Beaminster’s rooftops and St Mary’s church

Brief History of Beaminster The Beaminster Parish The Parish of Beaminster extends to Buckham Mill, Axe Ford and East Axnoller Farm to the north; Beaminster Down, Cox’s Gorse, Higher Langdon and Hackthorn Hill to the east; Coombe Farm, Coombe Down Farm (Mapperton) and Parnham House to the south; and, Knowle Farm, Higher Barrowfield Farm, Horn Park (although not Horn Park Industrial Estate), the Tunnel, and North Buckham Farm to the west. Parish Population The 2011 census showed the Beaminster Parish having a population of 3,136 across 1,529 households.

All generations get together on Beaminster Square for Beaminster Festival in the Summer

The current population is slightly lower than it was in the mid-19th century. It was at its highest in 1841 at 3,270 but subsequently declined steadily until 1931 when it was at its lowest in recorded history at 1,612. When the first survey of the town was made by Samuel Fox in 1775, 45% of the 1,955 population were children. In the 2011 census, only 16.9% were 17 and under, whilst 32.6% were 65 and over. History Historically, Beaminster has been a rural market town and a centre of trade for the surrounding villages, hamlets and farms. The town was granted a charter in 1284 for a weekly market. Farming and related trades continued to provide the main sources of income well into the 20th century. There were 118 dairy farms recorded in Beaminster Rural District in 1908. Flax and hemp culture and the manufacture of cloth, rope and twine provided a supplementary income for many. The Tunnel Work began on Horn Hill Tunnel in 1830 and just two years later it was open, funded mainly by the traders and artisans of Beaminster. The tunnel provided a valuable trade link, giving improved access from Somerset to Bridport harbour. Horn Hill is now the only pre-railway tunnel in the country still in regular use. A landslip in July 2012 was a major shock to the town, claiming the lives of two visitors and cutting easy access to Beaminster’s community and its businesses from the North for almost 12 months. When Agriculture Declined Several attempts were made to bring the railway to Beaminster in the 19th and early-20th century, but all failed. In 1845 an appeal was made by local traders to ‘monied and influencial classes’ to support local shops and craftsmen. Larger, nearby towns were being served by the railway and local people started to buy their goods in other towns. Beaminster Businesses from 1990 to 2013 In the 1990 Beaminster Appraisal, the last independent survey carried out by Beaminster volunteers, 90% of businesses had existed for more than 5 years and expected to continue. ‘A measure of support for the shops undoubtedly comes from the existence of the town as a “ Mecca “ for outlying villages and hamlets’. Recession, uniform business rate and the development of out-of-town supermarkets within driving distance, may explain in part that whilst some businesses have continued to thrive, others have either moved out or closed down since 1990. Beaminster’s main employers in 2013 are Clipper Teas, Danisco and Dorset County Council. The Expansion of Beaminster Housing Stock Beaminster has seen many houses built (and many knocked down) over the last hundred years. The building of much needed affordable housing commenced in the 1920s on land bought by the council at Pattle, then ‘Fair Field’ in the 1940s, and later at Gerrards Green, Hogshill Mead and Willow Grove. This was followed by housing for the elderly at St Mary’s Gardens. Private housing development has also taken place in several areas around the town such as Culverhayes, Myrtle Close, Manor Gardens and Hollymoor.

The Planning Process Background In early November 2011 Beaminster Town Council (BTC) hosted an open session over three days which sought the views of residents on any topic of interest. This exercise elicited over four hundred comments across a range of headings, from traffic and housing to health and public services. BTC followed this up in early January 2012 with an open meeting. The poster for that event said: “It is not just up to Council members to decide for tomorrow. They need the Beaminster Community to speak. The residents of Beaminster, of all ages, backgrounds and view, need to tell Beaminster Council what their priorities are.’ The purpose of the meeting was to establish a Steering Group which would prepare a Parish Plan with, and on behalf of, the people of Beaminster. Importantly, that group was to be independent of the Council. Over one hundred people attended the January meeting and ten volunteers came forward to form a steering group with the understanding that: ‘The purpose of the Beaminster Parish Plan Steering Group is to help the Beaminster Community plan for the next five to ten years and, in so doing, create a sustainable environment in which people would want to live and work, and visit. The Steering Group will consult as widely as possible with members of the Beaminster Community in order to identify their current local concerns on a wide range of issues, ask them how they would like their community to develop, and create a Parish Plan to help achieve this vision’. The Group defined Beaminster Community as including not only those living within the Parish boundaries, but also those who work in the town and those visiting and/or shopping. The Steering Group met approximately every 2 weeks throughout the fifteen months or so it took to complete the Plan. Stage 1 - Collecting Views The Steering Group arranged a number of open days and consultation meetings across the Parish during the Spring and Summer of 2012. Those events included: • • • • 12

April 2012: Beaminster School Council, Skyrm Room Open Day May 2012: Open Day at 22,The Square, Gerrard’s Green Event. June 2012: St. Mary’s Primary School event, Senior Forum, Young Parent’s Group July 2012: Youth Club, Red Lion drop-in

A website www.beaminstefuture.com was built, twitter account and Facebook page set up, all as additional channels of communication. Comments received through all channels, and from all events, were used to create the questionnaire which was at the heart of the group’s work. The views of people from outside the town were also sought, through a simple set of questions put to visitors in local shops and in the Yarn Barton Tourist Information Office. Stage 2 - The Questionnaire The questionnaire was composed under seven main headings: The Built Environment, Work and Commerce, The Natural Environment, Getting Around, The Whole Community, Leisure and Well Being. Questionnaires were distributed to all households in the Parish and collection of completed questionnaires began in mid-November. The Yarn Barton Centre was established as a collection centre, and house-to-house calls were made by members of the Steering Committee. Around 40% of questionnaires were eventually completed and returned – a response rate very much in line with that experienced nationally by other communities undertaking similar exercises. Stage 3 - Writing the Plan Having collated the views, comments and completed questionnaires, the steering group was in a position to write the plan itself. With the publication of this Parish Plan, the community of Beaminster has demonstrated that it has actively considered its priorities, giving local government the reference point it needs in order to take those priorities fully into account. The adoption of this plan will be the start of a process whereby the people of Beaminster can help ensure their town thrives, and continues to be a place where people want to live, work and visit, not just for now, but also for the future.

Listening to views. Skyrm Room Open Day, April 2012.

RESULTS

Results This section presents the results of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was constructed under seven major headings and this results summary follows the same This section gives pattern. an overview of the main points from the questionnaire responses; the full detail of the response to each statement can be found in the appendices. The approach taken has been to summarise and not conjecture. Wherever the nature of the The questionnaire was aitself into seven major headings and this results summary statement allows, and cleardivided majority opinion has been expressed, action to address the follows point the same pattern. The approach taken has been to summarise and not conjecture. has been added to the Action Plan (see Appendix). Wherever the nature of the a clearanmajority opinionstrong has been expressed, The statements referring to statement the Town allows, Squareand recorded unsurprisingly response and, action to address the point has been added to the Action Plan (see Appendix). because of its overall importance to the town, a separate section has been included to reflect people’s views. The statements referring to the Town Square recorded an unsurprisingly strong response and, because of its importance the the town, extra for heading was created tostatement reflect people’s At the end of overall each section you willtofind fullanresults each questionnaire from views on the heart of the town. that section. There are three charts for each statement and, by looking at all 3 charts together,

it is possible to derive a view as to the priorities for the Town and Parish that people of Beaminster had in their minds when the questionnaire was issued. The charts are as follows:

Response This shows, in the form of a bar chart, the total number of responses to each statement broken down by the answer, i.e. Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. Although 623 questionnaires were returned, not all respondents answered every question so the total responses for each statement do not always add up to 623.

Weighted response This pie-chart shows the balance between those who agreed with the statement and those who disagreed. The “weight” is achieved by awarding Strongly Agree and Strongly Disagree twice the score of Agree or Disagree. The response of “Neither” was not used in deriving this weighted response.

Importance to Beaminster The third chart shows how people rated the statement in terms of its importance to the future of Beaminster and is a count of the number of High, Medium and Low responses.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT - RESULTS

Built Environment Introduction The Built Environment encompasses farming, industry and housing, and all three play a significant part in and around Beaminster. That said, the latter has perhaps been uppermost in the minds of some Beaminster residents recently, with the publication for review of the draft Local Plan for Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset, covering the next twenty years. It is not surprising therefore that The Built Environment both led the questionnaire and attracted a strong response. Without specific reference to that draft Local Plan, we asked residents to comment upon a number of statements relating to where and how they want to see future development happen in and around Beaminster, and the issues such proposed developments should address. Those statements were: No new houses should be built on green field sites around Beaminster Beaminster residents are satisfactorily consulted on new development proposals Too many properties in Beaminster are second homes or holiday lets New housing should be prioritised as affordable homes for people who wish to live or work in the area Road access issues are not a priority in new development plans Provisions for pedestrian safety in the town are satisfactory Improvements to current drainage and sewerage infrastructure are not a priority in new development plans Beaminster, some background Before looking at the response to those statements, it might help to have a few facts about Beaminster in mind. Total population of Beaminster is 3,136 (2011 census) There are 1,684 dwellings and, as at March 2012, a further 22 units had planning permission Between 1998 and March 2012, the housing stock increased by 155 units, a little over 10% There are some 130 names on the housing register for Beaminster 32% of Beaminster’s population is 65 or over House Building A majority, 83%, agree that ‘no new houses should be built on green field sites around Beaminster’ (Green field sites are sites that have never been built on before as opposed to brown field sites that have already been built on). This leaves very little space for building in Beaminster unless minor infill sites can be identified by developers. An overwhelming majority of 93% of respondents think that ‘New housing should be prioritised as affordable homes for people who wish to live or work in the area’. Consultation on new proposals Respondents to the questionnaire had very divided opinions on ‘Beaminster residents are satisfactorily consulted on new developments’. 15

RESULTS - BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Planning information, and indeed all of the statistics in this report, are readily available on the internet (Dorsetforyou.com website and Social Media). However, accessing information in this way clearly requires people to be pro-active and comfortable with new media. Perhaps it would help if, in future, residents were to be able to access such detail at, say, Yarn Barton. Planning for the future The most important reference for the immediate future is the Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset Local Plan 2013-2031. This plan initially identified three sites for the possible development of 190 dwellings and the provision of 1.2 hectares of employment land. Those sites are: Broadwindsor Road: 120 homes, 0.5 hectares of employment land. Tunnel Road: 0.7 hectares of employment land. Hollymoor Lane: 70 homes. This draft plan is currently under review and its progress can best be followed by contacting local town and district councillors, as any status update given here will be out of date by publication time. Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that, were the rate of increase since 1998 to be maintained to 2031, the number of dwellings would increase by a further 235, slightly more than the Local Plan advocates. Infrastructure Respondents to the questionnaire are clear about infrastructure; 70% agree that road access issues and traffic management should be a priority consideration in any new development plans, whilst 73% think that provisions for pedestrian safety in the town are unsatisfactory today.

Beaminster’s narrow pavements are part if its character and a safety concern for many

BUILT ENVIRONMENT - RESULTS

Woodswater Lane after heavy rains

Given the many narrow streets and pavements (or lack of ) which give Beaminster much of its character and charm, these issues may be difficult to address. Nevertheless, these are clear statements by the community and should be satisfactorily dealt with in future planning proposals. Similarly, any future planning decision with regard to new housing must seek to balance the acknowledged requirement for new dwellings with the challenges posed by the scale, the architecture and the character of the Town, and the desire of residents to see much of that essential character preserved. Many people in Beaminster are concerned that the current drainage provision is -literallyat bursting point. Given Beaminster’s natural position as a gathering point for the myriad streams from the surrounding hills, and the repeated evidence of the ageing sewage system being at capacity, it is not surprising that 73% disagreed with ‘improvements to the current drainage and sewerage infrastructure are not a priority in new development areas’. Questionnaire comment: “ Before any new development takes place, it is imperative that the sewerage is completely upgraded where necessary ” Second homes and holiday lets According to the Council Tax Register there are 85 second or holiday homes in Beaminster i.e. 5% of dwellings (West Dorset 5.3%, UK 1%. Source: Housing.org) and 25 long-term empty properties. Whilst a large number of respondents think there are too many second homes or holiday lets in Beaminster, one third neither agreed nor disagreed, which could mean that they do not know exactly how many holiday lets and second homes there are or don’t much care either way. In conclusion The response to this section of the questionnaire offers a significant test to the whole process of reforming the planning system, in order to “give communities far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which they live.” (Source: WDDC; Western Area Briefing Note) That document goes on to say, “Local town and parish councils will be able to prepare their own neighbourhood development plans, about where and how they want to see development happen in their area.” 17

RESULTS - BUILT ENVIRONMENT

That there should be some development in Beaminster at some point within the next twenty years is irrefutable, if only to satisfy the need for more affordable housing. If such developments can be judged from just two perspectives perhaps those perspectives should be sustainability and the wishes of the community. To quote once again from the Western Area Briefing Note, “The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development which means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations to meet their own needs.” Whilst the community of Beaminster recognises the need for change on the one hand, developers, WDDC and DCC must embrace the wishes of the community on the other. Successfully marrying those two may help secure an enjoyable future for those in the community today and those who are fortunate enough to be a part of it in the years to come.

Examples of Beaminster’s built environment in 2013

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RESULTS - WORK AND COMMERCE

Work and Commerce Businesses located within the parish of Beaminster were also invited to respond to the questionnaire which was central to the Parish Plan process, although responses from this diverse group of organisations were not analysed separately. How many businesses in Beaminster? There are some 150 VAT-based businesses located in the Beaminster Ward, with more that are not VAT-based. (Source: www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk) These range from significant organisations such as Clipper Teas, selling to 50 countries worldwide and employing almost 100 permanent staff in Beaminster, through to single person owner/operator services such as electricians, gardeners and painter/decorators. Most visible in the town are retailers, cafes and restaurants. The range of shops was consistently cited in questionnaire responses as one of the aspects of the town most liked and welcomed by residents. Although interestingly, only 53% rated the range of shops as satisfactory, suggesting that almost half of respondents would like to see more and varied shop openings. Perhaps not surprisingly, following the closure of the HSBC branch in the town in 2012, 563 of 612 respondents (92%) felt that the provision of banking services is unsatisfactory - despite the presence of a 24 hour, external ATM and the continuing presence of a Post Office offering a wide range of banking services. Shop local An overwhelming majority of questionnaire respondents believe that people living in Beaminster should support and encourage local shops, businesses and restaurants, while 78% believed that Councils should offer more support to local businesses. 77% believed that the establishment of new businesses should be actively supported by local councils. Many of the actions within this Parish Plan have a potential impact on businesses. Everything from traffic management and transport links to housing development and education is relevant to how businesses will develop and how the town will be viewed by those who might bring new businesses in. Businesses are important for the future What the questionnaire tells us, and what must therefore be central to Town and District Council policy, is that the residents of Beaminster recognise the importance of work and commerce to the future prosperity of the town as a whole. They value what business brings to the community and they will continue to support local businesses personally. They want to see more in the local area and expect local councils to actively support existing businesses while also seeking to attract new ventures. Questionnaire comment: “ Business depends on individuals, not Councils, although Councils can actively enable or obstruct enterprise. It would make sense for the Town Council, Schools and local organisations to collaborate in fostering entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in order to strengthen the local economy. ” 20

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RESULTS - NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Natural Environment Local Services On the whole Beaminster residents are happy with their refuse collection, recycling and street cleaning services. Questionnaire comments: “ Refuse and recycling services are really good and should be praised for getting it right. ” Nonetheless, there were many comments about the lack of a kerbside plastic recycling service. A small majority find that maintenance of open spaces and verges in the town is satisfactory, but there are specific instances where improvements are sought as the following comments highlights: “ Verges on Bowgrove road to Stintsford have not even done in a year, therefore growing out beyond drains so that when it rains they are all bypassed causing problems, also stones coming down and leaves blocking them.“ Drains and Sewers Drain clearance and capacity is an issue that particularly affects those living south of Beaminster as they are more affected by overflowing drains in wet weather. A particular concern is the effect more houses would have on the current system if it is not improved and the lack of clarity about whose responsibility this is. Only 43% thought “current drain clearance is satisfactory”, meaning 57% disagreed. “ We have had flooding as the drains were blocked & not kept clear from building works’ debris”. (details available for the Action Plan) It is worth recording the excellent service delivered by the volunteer flood warden scheme, much appreciated by residents and vital to the successful management of such emergencies. “ Volunteers do a good job when flooding is a risk” Renewable energy A significant number of respondents agreed that ‘Beaminster should promote renewable energy schemes’. Whilst the ‘Beaminster Transition Area Group’, a sub-group of BAVLAP (Beaminster And Villages Local Area Partnership), has this as one of its planning items and is looking into the feasibility of local opportunities, it is clear that additional impetus will be required if viable projects are to materialise in the near future. Allotments Beaminster Town Council’s allotment site at Furlands in East Street has 55 plots and a waiting list of 22, which has been in place for some time. Amongst respondents with an interest, it is not surprising that more are being sought. 22

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GETTING AROUND - RESULTS

Getting around Beaminster is a typical small rural town with a very limited public transport system. According to the 2011 Census, there are 2,016 cars or vans in the parish. Whilst many households own at least one car, 15% of the population do not. Buses A large majority of Beaminster residents travel by car, whether by choice or due to the lack of public transport, and not surprisingly questions relating to buses received a very high proportion of ‘neither agree nor disagree’. There was some agreement that ‘the provision of bus routes is satisfactory’. However, a larger majority disagreed with statement that ‘Bus timetables are satisfactorily coordinated with rail timetables’, whilst only 15% think that ‘The frequency of buses during evenings and weekends is satisfactory’. However, one thing was clear from the responses and that is that ‘bus tickets should be accepted by all bus companies’, a huge 96% agree with that statement. Cars and parking Far fewer people were ambivalent when it came to questions about roads and parking. A large majority of respondents, 80%, do not want a by-pass and an even larger number, 95%, definitely want to see speed limits more strictly enforced. Questionnaire comment: “ Better enforcement of the 20mph speed limit, for example by local people with testing equipment “ Parking restrictions should also be more strictly enforced and only just over half think that the provision of off-road parking is satisfactory. Questionnaire comment: “ Parking for residents/non residents. We support traders working here but many park in residents spaces so residents end up paying and supporting traders” The issue of parking in The Square is dealt with in a separate section of this plan. The Tunnel The tunnel was closed whilst the questionnaires were out for completion which probably helped reinforce the overwhelming view that ‘Beaminster’s prosperity and character are dependent upon the effectiveness of the tunnel in managing the safe flow of traffic into and through the town’. This statement received the highest number and proportion, almost three quarters of all responses, in ‘Highly agree’ category. People with restricted mobility When asked whether ‘Disabled people can get around and about easily’, 68% of respondents disagreed. It is quite possible that if only those affected had been asked, this percentage would have been much higher. Questionnaire comment: “ As someone with restricted mobility there are too many pavements which are narrow or non-existent. ” 24

RESULTS - GETTING RESULTS AROUND

This comment highlights a problem which impacts more than just those with mobility problems as the following comment illustrates: Questionnaire comment: “ The walk to school from Gerrards Green is very, very dangerous. It is very difficult to cross Fleet St at school drop off time and Hogshill St has a very narrow pavement that cars squeeze right up to by the Old School. Walking to school with young children can feel very frightening when a lorry’s wing mirror comes within inches of your head… Then there are the problems with crossing the road outside St Mary’s School. It is North Street that is the most worrying however. ” However, it is worthy of mention that, thanks to the advent of Mountjoy School - a Special School that provides education for children with restricted mobility- a new footpath has been created to enable wheelchair access between Mountjoy and Beaminster schools and the town centre. A step in the right direction. Getting around is important but so is access when a destination is reached and a number of people commented upon this aspect, as the following highlights: Questionnaire comment: “ Access to shops is poor for a wheelchair user. For example, how can a wheelchair user get into the post office or pharmacy? ” Signage It was important to know whether, overall, signage in the town does the job of pointing people to where they want to go as well as indicating the location of points of interest. It was encouraging, therefore, when 83% agree that ‘signage in the town indicating facilities and other information is satisfactory’. Questionnaire comment: “ There is no maintenance of the footpaths; e.g. by the river, or the footpath that dissects the school and playing field, the hedges there have not been cut for months either.”

Apart from school buses, getting around by bus in Beaminster is fairly limited due to its rural location.

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RESULTS RESULTS - WHOLE COMMUNITY

Whole Community The focus here is on some key aspects of life in Beaminster which potentially affect everyone.Â Information on activities in Beaminster The Questionnaire led with a statement about how well residents are aware of the myriad activities that take place in the town throughout the year, ranging from sporting and cultural to clubs and societies. Over eighty such clubs and societies are active in and around Beaminster, quite a success story for such a relatively small community. Overall people felt reasonably well informed. However, during the road shows and open days which preceded our questionnaire, a number of people commented that more could be done to publicise what is going on. Partly to address that request, the new community website, beaminster.net, has been launched and should, in time, address the issue. Yarn Barton is also enhancing its capability to act as a general information source on all matters concerning Beaminster.

Yarn Barton Community & Tourist Information Centre and beaminster.net community website both aim to inform locals and visitors alike. They both rely on volunteers.

RESULTS WHOLE COMMUNITY - RESULTS Public services Local fire and police services are well regarded and considered highly important, as is school provision and the library, whilst Further Education gained a more muted response and a number of questionnaire comments alluding to its elusiveness. Questionnaire comment: “ The local Police constable does a great job and I often see him on his rounds, it would be good if he was assisted by another officer ” The Square The statements referring to the Town Square recorded an unsurprisingly strong response and, because of its overall importance to the town, are covered more fully in their own section elsewhere in this plan. Questionnaire comment: “ We do require a café open in the afternoon, especially at weekends. We frequently send people to Broadwindsor Craft Centre. ” Street lighting Respondents were in general agreement that street lighting should be turned off in the early hours where and whenever possible, and all should be aware by now of the county-wide initiative to roll out this practice in the next few years. Beaminster Town Council The questionnaire contained a number of statements referring to the constitution of the Town Council (BTC) and its role and responsibilities; the principal aim here was to ascertain the general level of awareness of both these aspects. The overall appreciation shows that BTC should take action to improve residents’ understanding and this is reflected in the Action Plan. Dog fouling It is difficult not to mention the question of dog fouling. The action plan tasks the Town Council with following up on a few specific examples of this problem that were mentioned as comments in the questionnaire responses. Questionnaire comment: “ Why are there dog owners exercising their animals regularly on the small area, adjacent to the recycling point, at Yarn Barton car park? ”

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LEISURE - RESULTS

Leisure Sporting facilities The people of Beaminster are very happy with their sporting facilities, however 81% think that more facilities such as a skate park, climbing wall or dirt jumps should be provided for young people. A large majority want to see more community activities in the town like markets, plays and concerts. It is a positive result which should encourage volunteers to get together and organise this type of event, knowing they are fulfilling a need and are likely to receive strong support. Walking and cycling When asked about cycle paths and footpaths, a small majority (56%) agreed that maintenance was satisfactory. Elsewhere in this report one can find other references to specific issues with footpath maintenance and there is a consequent entry in the Action Plan. Questionnaire comment: â&#x20AC;&#x153; There is no mention of cycling and parking for cycles in Beaminster. Why not take two of the car slots in the square, next to the A3066 and put cycle racks instead â&#x20AC;? Telecommunications Located as it is, surrounded by steep hills, Beaminster has long been a town that has been harder to reach than others. This is seen as a problem by those who would like to see their town embrace the 21st century with superfast broadband. Others, meanwhile, enjoy the mild sense of remoteness as they love the fairly unspoilt environment. This dichotomy shows in the questionnaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings and some of the comments received and illustrates the fine balance that needs to be achieved between progress and preservation.

A large majority of questionnaire respondents want to see more activities in the town like markets or concerts.

RESULTS - RESULTS LEISURE

Television Television reception for some residents has been a problem for years and the digital age has brought little improvement. Being so close to the Devon border, some residents in this part of West Dorset, without access to satellite technology, are frustrated that reception of , for example, news programmes from Plymouth is better than that for news programmes from within their own county. It seems to many that those who have poor Freeview reception have the choice of either converting to one of Sky or FreeSat, or simply hope that the Dorset Broadcasting Action Group (DBAG) are successful in their quest to get OFCOM to remedy the situation. There is an ongoing action through DBAG to ensure that, as a rural community, we are treated on a par with urban communities for Freeview reception. Only half of respondents find television reception satisfactory and there is an entry in the Action Plan directed at rectifying this as far as possible. Questionnaire comment: “ Hopeless t.v. + digital radio reception ” Broadband A majority of respondents (63%) find broadband speeds unsatisfactory. Bearing in mind that more than a quarter of Beaminster’s residents are retired (26.5% at 2011 Census) and 62.6% of this questionnaire’s respondents were over 60, we could assume a high percentage of the respondents do not need internet for work purposes, which leads us to the conclusion that, for many, successful access to the internet has become a measure of the quality of life. Meanwhile, for the 15% of the population who are self-employed (2011 Census) faster broadband may well be a more critical factor affecting the success of their business. What we can reasonably assume is that access to high speed broadband will increasingly become a requirement for any community which is to flourish and prosper in the 21st Century. It is important that Beaminster is not marginalised through poor access to this vital tool. Whilst action is underway in Dorset to roll out superfast broadband it is important that every effort is made to ensure that Beaminster is near the front of the programme. Mobile phones Beaminster’s hills pose further problems for mobile telephone users. Although the issue is clearly influenced by which provider is being used, the fact that only 39% of respondents find reception satisfactory, points to a problem which requires action. Only certain service providers do in fact provide a reliable service, a fact which is frequently commented upon by visitors, here for either business or pleasure.

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RESULTS - WELL RESULTS BEING

Well Being On the whole respondents are satisfied with the services provided for their well being. GP’s and hospitals An overwhelming majority agree that GP services are satisfactory and three quarters think local hospital services are satisfactory. Questionnaire comment: “ Regarding local hospital services, access by public transport is difficult ” Elderly and disabled Services for the elderly (sheltered housing and residential accommodation) and home support for the disabled and the elderly all received a favourable response. Dentistry Provision of dental services was the exception, many commenting on the lack of an NHS dentist. This was also raised during Open Days and explains why 68% of respondents are dissatisfied with the service.

The lack of an NHS dentist was raised during Open Days and commented upon in the questionnaires.

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RESULTS - THE RESULTS SQUARE

Beaminster Square The Heart of the Town Most residents think of The Square as the heart of Beaminster. It was talked of a lot during the drop-in sessions and, to confirm its status, when we said in the questionnaire: “The Town Square is important to the future of Beaminster and its protection as the heart of the town should be a council priority” ninety nine percent of respondents agreed. It is also worth noting that The Square is seen by non-residents, visitors and tourists for example, in much the same light, an obvious start point for any exploration of the Town and its environs. Should the Square change? What has been said previously? If you want to spark a lively debate amongst residents just mention the future of The Square. The topic has generated much discussion in the past, and continues to do so. In 2007 a ‘Beaminster Square Survey’ was conducted by the Beaminster Square Review Group for the Town Council. Back then, four schemes were put forward: remove all parking; leave it as it is; make the road a one way system clockwise; make it a one way system anti-clockwise. The latter emerged as the favoured option, but only by a small margin. The Town Council sought informal estimates of costs from Dorset County Council for certain changes but none were followed through; even a feasibility study was considered prohibitively expensive. No money was available and the project progressed no further.

Parking...

THE SQUARE - RESULTS

Should The Square change? What did you say this time? Since it is such an emotive subject, it is worth looking at all the statements from the 2012 questionnaire that relate to The Square and what residents said in response: Statement A one-way traffic system for entry and exit via Fleet Street onto the A3066 should be introduced A one-way traffic system around the back of the square, leaving the A3066 two-way, should be introduced Parked cars in the square should be prevented from backing out onto the A3066 The Square should be made into a pedestrian area with seating and planting The Square should be retained as an area for short term parking Additional safe crossings for pedestrians should be provided around the town square

% Agree

% Disagree

What might be gleaned with any certainty from these responses? Well, there are reasonable majorities in favour of an additional safe crossing, preventing parked cars from backing out

... or no parking.

RESULTS - THERESULTS SQUARE

onto the A3066, some sort of one-way system involving Fleet Street access and the retention of short-term parking facilities. Any change involving A-class highways will bring with it a number of ancillary issues that must be dealt with, especially in a location such as The Square where, for example, shop and pub delivery vehicles necessarily have to stop and unload on a regular basis. What did not emerge from the questionnaire was a clear response as to whether the Square should be largely a pedestrian-only area. In fact, 59% said no to that, which is possibly reinforced by the short-term parking requirement. What one might say with some certainty is that pedestrian safety should be the pre-eminent consideration whatever may or may not be proposed. The Square: a focal point of leisure and entertainment activity The Square is already a central venue for noteworthy community events. The Christmas Lights Festival has become a feature of town life, a French Market visits three times each year and, every other year, the Beaminster Festival culminates in a free concert in The Square. Any plans for the future of The Square must take this aspect of its use into account, not least because an overwhelming majority of questionnaire respondents (91%) want to see ‘more concerts, markets and plays’ taking place. The Square will have a key role to play in helping the community realise this ambition. What next? Does the Town really want to change The Square? If it does, what changes might be agreed upon? All three councils, Town, District and County, would necessarily be involved in any proposals and all will require a clear indication from the community that it is worth investing money in exploring the subject further. However, given the weight of local opinion continually expressed about the importance of The Square, it seems reasonable to expect Beaminster Town Council to take a lead, possibly by picking up the output of the 2007 investigation coupled with the responses to the 2012 questionnaire, and progress this matter further on behalf of the Town. From the wealth of ideas about how The Square might develop, it is for Beaminster Town Council to rationalise those ideas into a cohesive proposal that can be considered by all parties. No-one has set any expectations of timescale, but there is a clear demand in the community that this matter should be progressed with some priority, and not simply put to one side again because of difficult questions regarding funding or complexity. As with all major projects, The Square does not have an easy solution, but its future is important to the Town, being a strong influence on its continued attractiveness as a place to live, visit and do business. It is for the Town Council to take a lead on the matter and to find ways in which the wishes of the people of Beaminster can be delivered.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE - RESULTS

The Young People of Beaminster Young people are a vital element in any town, embodying both challenges and hopes for the future whilst enriching the cultural and leisure experience of today. Ranging from babies and toddlers to young adults, they also harbour more differing wants and needs than possibly any other age range. Involving young people in the process of planning for the future is an exciting challenge, and Beaminster Future sought the cooperation of St Mary’s Primary School, Beaminster School, Beaminster Youth Club and the Young Parents Group; we are very grateful for their help. We give a brief overview here of what those contacts highlighted, whilst the full results of the questionnaire given to St Mary’s, the feedback from Beaminster School’s Students Council and our Youth Club session are available in an appendix to this report, and on the internet at the following locations: http://beaminsterfuture.com/2012/07/10/feedback-from-beaminster-school-studentscouncil/ http://beaminsterfuture.com/2012/07/10/youth-club-feedback-july-2012/ http://beaminsterfuture.com/2012/08/03/feedback-from-primary-school/ Three quarters of children who both live in Beaminster and attend the Primary School enjoy living here, and all of the children interviewed, including the ones who live in surrounding villages, play at least sometimes in Beaminster after school. Many enjoy the playground and, not surprisingly, have ideas on how to improve it further, from tree house to zip wire. Meanwhile, our road shows around town highlighted that for many, centrally-based facilities are a long walk away, often along roads without pavements, for children and their parents.

Beaminster School students, Spring 2013.

RESULTS - THE YOUNGRESULTS PEOPLE

At Gerrards’ Green, for example, it seems we should at least ask the question as to whether all residents, younger and older, are able to fully enjoy the town’s open spaces. Without doubt a skate park is top of the wish list, both with 12 - 19 year olds interviewed at the Youth Club (56%) and 7-10 year olds from St Mary’s, and it is also mentioned by Beaminster School’s Youth Council. To this end, a group of fourteen year olds is already actively working towards convincing the community that Beaminster would benefit from a skate park. They have realised that they are unlikely to benefit from it themselves but they are continuing their efforts, addressing such questions as location and cost. That is a great show of community spirit and demonstrates exactly the approach we would applaud from any group.

A skate park came top of the Young People’s wish list for Beaminster

Looking at the questionnaire responses, in a town where 41% of the population is over 60 (Dorset 33%, England and Wales 22%), it is particularly encouraging to note that a good number of adult respondents commented that opportunities for young people to engage with, and play in the community, should be improved and expanded, recognising that helping young people enjoy their time here, in ways which the community at large accepts and encourages, is both inspirational and of benefit to all. A number of teenagers, parents and grandparents feel this is too often not the case in Beaminster, as this questionnaire comment may illustrate. “ Beaminster has a good youth club; why can’t a bouncer be put on the door so that children have to stay in the building to the end? “ However, there are also adults of all ages who are listening and willing to help. The future is, in large part, up to the whole community and one thing our research has shown loud and clear is that young people want to play a part in shaping it. 41

APPENDIX 1 - YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY RESULTS

Beaminster School Student Council We visited Beaminster School in April 2012 and presented ‘Beaminster Future’ to the Student Council. We asked for the students’ feedback, below is their reply. What would you like to see in Beaminster? 1. Costa style coffee shop or lounge

2. Skate park or smooth tarmac area for skating 3. Fast food outlet

4. A range of retail shops (pet shop, clothes…) 5. Pedestrianise the square

6. More lights up by the path to the park (new residential lights are too tall and bright!) 7. Cinema – or town hall type screening of movies 8. Seating for memorial playing fields

9. Access to riding centre for all (not just the disabled) 10. Swimming pool to be open all year round 11. Later buses from Yeovil

12. Call for pick-up for village bus (otherwise takes too long).

Ex-Beaminster School student Vaughan Gething, now member of the Welsh Assembly, meets Beaminster School Council in 2012

APPENDIX 1 - YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY APPENDIX RESULTS

Beaminster Youth Club We visited Beaminster’s Youth Club in July 2012. Sadly, it was a very wet day so the Club was not very busy. However, most teenagers who visited the Youth Club came to chat -thanks to the help of the Youth Leaders working that evening- and gave their views on what they think would make Beaminster a better place for children and teenagers. 39 teenagers aged between 12 and 19 told us what they would like to see in Beaminster. They often put forward more than one idea and most came in groups of 2 to 4. 1. Skate park (22) between school and playing fields (3) to keep boys away from pavement and past houses (1) in concrete as wood breaks more easily so more expensive in the long run; Bridport has just had to pay £10,000 to repair just this year (1) 2. Play area for teenagers (8) See-saw in the park (3) baskets swings and skinny things like in West Bay (3) climbing wall for teenagers; play area one only for small kids (3) roundabout (2) climbing frames (3) benches nearer the park area (3) wall for graffiti (2) 3. Shelter/covered area in Memorial Fields (5) near Pavilion and free (3) 4. Indoor soft play area (4)

5. Clothes shops (7) for kids – 12 to 20 or 5-20 year olds (4) M&Co or Peacocks ? (3)

6. Film screenings in Town Hall (7) (note: further to reading Student Council’s suggestions) 7. Paintballing in the woods (5)

8. Clubs (3) theatre or music (1) cooking (3) art (2) 9. Free tennis (2)

10. Lazer Zone! ; Assault course (2)

11. Shooting range; on Farmer’s land (1) 12. Arcade (2) for teens (1) 13. McDonalds (3) 14. Yoga (1)

15. Teenage night club 16. Spar

17. Not a Skate Park as would get ruined, vandalised (1)

18. Bus issue: Bus 45 stopped with one week notice. First don’t take Damory tickets (but Damory take First), tickets are not the same price for both companies, 40 stopped going via Broadwindsor, last bus to Bridport is at 3.45 and first one at 12.00. It is even more difficult for teenagers to get around Beaminster, Bridport, Yeovil and villages. (2)

APPENDIX 1 - YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY RESULTS

St Mary’s Primary School We asked Mrs Briden, Headmaster of St Mary’s Primary School if she could help us facilitate a survey of the Primary School children. She kindly agreed and with the help of teachers at St Mary’s a simple questionnaire, below, was filled in by 39 children aged between 7 and 10. 1. Are You: A boy: 16

A girl: 25

2. Age: Between 7 and 10 3. Do you live in Beaminster: yes: 34 no: 5 4. If you live in Beaminster, do you like living in beaminster? yes: 29 no: 5 5. If you don’t live in Beaminster, do you sometimes play in Beaminster after school? yes: all children 6. What do you like about Beaminster? the park 16 the sweet shop 7 everything 2 the shops 2 football ground 2 small place 2 farms with horses, my friends, fish and chips shop, got lots of things in it, open space, fire station, nice and quiet, town square’s shops, c-op, East Street, opportunity to play away from home, chinese shop ; all one 7. What do you not like about Beaminster? 15 nothing would like more playgrounds 4 4 need more things in playgrounds, playground too small no park, no football pitch 3 would like to stay as it is 1 no skate park, cars going to fast sometimes, people don’t let you cross, a lot of police about, busy road, no fun things to do, not enough kids things, no shop with electronic things (games console), no crystal shop, too small, going to school ; all one 8. If you could have anything to play with in Beaminster, outside your home or your friend’s home when you are not at school, what would it be? 10 playground related additions (a tree house (2), tall monkey bars, swings, digging spot, climbing frame, roundabout, more exciting things in playground, bigger more exciting playground) 44

APPENDIX 1 - YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY APPENDIX RESULTS

a skate board park in the park 7 a play area/park/playground 4 a swimming pool 3 climbing the trees/ trees 3 a football pitch 2 plastic big balls in swimming pool, a park right outside my house, riding my bike, bouncy castle, ice staking ring, mountain board, bouncy ball, nothing, a flower garden, a crystal shop, basketball ; all one. 9. If we could not have a skate park or a bigger playground, what small things could we have to make it more fun for children? swings 3 more cafes/ parks/ social places to meet new people 2 playground related 29 (swings, play trail, little games park, pretend mini horse, den, pirate boat, slide, wooden castle, zip wire, running park, climbing frame, picnic table, football goals, a place to dig and get to know one another, a new toy, bike, a course, a place to run around and have fun, kids mini gym, skate boards, see saw, a little maze, a pond area, bouncy castle next to the pavillion, fun zone only for children, more things in the park, less fields, horses, football park) 10. Do you do any sport? No : 7 (although one belongs to a gym club and one to swimming club) so 5 Yes: 32 Which one: football 11 running 7 bike riding 3 horse riding 2 gymnastics 2 swimming 2 tennis 2 cricket, youth club, volley ball, martial arts, archery, Tae Kwon Do, all sports ; all one 11. Are you member of a club? No: 12 Yes: 27 Which one: Youth Club: 14 Brownies: 4 4 Football Swimming 2 Gymnastics 2 Razzamataz 1 Art Club 1

APPENDIX 2 - VISITORS SURVEY

Beaminster Visitor Survey July/August 2012 84 surveys completed Main Purpose of Visit Unplanned Planned â&#x20AC;&#x201C; staying Planned â&#x20AC;&#x201C; day

23 17 44

(often staying locally/regionally but not Beaminster)

Reason for Visit (multiple answers from some respondents e.g. tourists taking opportunity to shop) Shopping 20 Refreshment 11 Journey Break 9 Visiting friends 6 Tourism 55 Other 0 Type of accommodation (from 61 respondents staying) Hotel / B & B Self-catering Campsite/Caravan With friends No response

21 14 3 7 16

If staying, how long staying (from 61 respondents staying) 2 - 4 days 5 - 6 days 1 - 2 weeks 2 weeks + No response

8 8 26 6 13

Would you visit Beaminster again 79 Yes No 0 No response 5 Would you recommend Beaminster to family and friends 72 Yes No 0 No response 12 How would you rate Beaminster and your visit overall Very Good Good Poor Very Poor 39 41 0 0 46

No Response 1

APPENDIX 2 - VISITORS SURVEY

How do you rate facilities Excellent Restaurants/Cafes 16 Pubs 9 Shops 7 Museum 6 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facilities Accommodation 12 Tourist Office 19 Sites of Interest 12 Local Walks 14 Total 86

Good 21

Poor

21 6 14 3 12 21 107

Very Poor

How did you hear about Beaminster Information Leaflet 9 Internet 3 Word of Mouth 7 Previous Visit 21 National Media 1 Other - friends, family etc 31 (11 - just driving through) 12 No response Other comments Lovely town Lovely community feel Gorgeous Enjoyed our walk Enjoyed the museum exhibition Nowhere to get a cup of tea Shame about the weather Enjoyed our visit Surprising range of shops Always visit Beaminster when we come to Dorset We come every year Would have liked to see Beaminster in the sun Enjoyed lunch at the Wild Garlic Great lunch at the Bridge House Thanks for help with the cycle racks Very helpful tourist information Age range Under 16 0 16-26 4 26-40 7 41-55 34 56-65 20 19 66+ Male: 35

Female: 49

Travel to Beaminster 0 Walk Cycle 4 Own motor transport 75 Public transport 5 47

Acknowledgements The production of the Beaminster Parish Plan would have been quite impossible without the help of a large number of people. The unstinting efforts of the steering group were fundamental in shaping and guiding the task from the outset: Nathalie Roberts, Mollie Baldwin, John Spooner, Steve Norris, Jim Holden, Terry Caveney, Philip Elliott, Richard Barker, Dominic Faulkner. The questionnaire and its analysis was helped on its way by the experience of Alaina Cameron and John Snow. Brian Cocks drew cameos of Beaminster buildings that became the logo for Beaminster Future. Proof reading the report and offering a valuable view from outside was down to Rachelle Smith, Caroline Montagu and Maria Clarke. Clipper Teas printed posters and leaflets and kept us refreshed at Open Days. Dorset Retail offered premises, again for the Open Day in the Square. Thanks also go to Beaminster Town Council for presenting this opportunity to the community, and letting them get on with it. Lastly, we remember Roger Priddle, an enthusiastic member of Beaminster Future, whose jolly demeanour and incisive comments informed our meetings. Mick Read Chair, Beaminster Future 48

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Now letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get on with it.