West Felton Parish Plan 2014

West Felton Parish Plan 2014

Rednal Henbarns Sutton

Queen’s Head Twyford

West Felton Aston Moor Ladyhill

Moorside Sandford

Haughton Henparks

Grimpo

Tedsmore

THE BACKGROUND TO PARISH PLANS

The Authority behind Parish Plans Parish Plans came into being in 2004, following a Central Government’s “Rural White Paper.”

They were underwritten by the Minister for Rural Affairs, Defra (at the time Alun Michael) and the Parliamentary-Under-Secretary for Local Government, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (at the time, Chris Leslie).

What is a Parish Plan?

A Parish Plan is a statement of how the community sees itself developing over the next few years and to present a shared vision for the community to use for years to come. It is produced ‘by the community for the community’; so everyone in the community is given an opportunity to participate in its preparation. It is based on information provided through both research and consultation.

A Parish Plan has the potential to influence a wide range of organisations and processes which affect the lives of rural communities. They should complement and help deliver local planning policies and frameworks. Part of their purpose is to influence local housing and land management strategies and to contribute to the way local services are managed and delivered.

The Plan’s role is to: • reflect the views of all sections of the community; • identify which features and local characteristics people value; • identify local problems and opportunities; • spell out how residents want the community to develop in the future; -

Thereafter to prepare a plan of action to achieve this vision.

Parish Plans are to be used: x x x x x x x x

By the Parish Council as a record of what is important to the community.

As a building block in the preparation of the Local Development Framework.

As supplementary guidance for Shropshire Council when planning services.

As a source of information for service providers and other bodies to ensure the needs of local people are recognised and, wherever appropriate, addressed.

By local Community and Strategic Partnerships.

In mapping exercises to ensure initiatives are not duplicated and that valuable resources are used prudently by service providers.

As evidence of need for funding applications.

As a vehicle for managing change.

This report can also be found on line at: www.2shrop.net/westfeltonparishcouncil

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Contents – West Felton Parish Plan Report Please note that more detailed contents are included within this report for the Residents’ Survey (page 23) and the Businesses Survey (Page 106).

Page Background Introduction Working Group Actions and Descriptions Summary of Findings and Recommendations Households’ Questionnaire Youth Questionnaire Pod Voting at West Felton CoE Primary School Business Questionnaire Clubs and Societies Environment Actions for Follow-Up Residents’ Survey Analysis Contents – Residents’ and Young People’s Surveys Overview Household Questionnaire Results Youth Questionnaire Results CoE School – Students’ ‘Pod’ vote results Business Survey Results Contents – Business Survey List of Contacts List of Participating Parish Businesses List of Known publically registered Parish Businesses Clubs and Societies Survey Results Acknowledgements Record of Volunteers’ donated hours Appendix 1 – Environment Report History Rights of Way Natural Landscape Agriculture Designated Areas Wildlife & Biodiversity Listed Buildings – Fig. 1 then lists Landscape Character Map – Fig. 2 Countryside Wildlife Sites – Fig. 3 Wildlife Corridors – Fig. 4 Habitat Indicator Species – Fig. 5 References Tree Preservation Orders Priority Protected Bird Species Land Class Map Environmental Stewardship Map

1 3 4 9 9 14 16 17 19 19 20 21 22 23 25 85 92 105 106 118 119 123 130 131 132 133 App. 1 Page 1 3 4 6 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 20 28 33 34 2

INTRODUCTION

West Felton is a largely rural area, devoted mainly to farming. Its primary village is named West Felton, giving its name to the Parish. West Felton village is well connected by a good road (Holyhead Road) to the smaller village of Queens Head. These villages are surrounded by the Parish hamlets of Sandford, Moorside, Aston Moor/Ladywell, The Fords, Twyford, Haughton, Sutton, Grimpo, Hen Barns, Hen Parks and Rednal, together with many other scattered individual farms and dwellings.

The hamlets, farms and dwellings are generally distant from each other, some quite remote, within a Parish area approximately 28 square kilometres in size.

The population of residents at the 2011 census was 1,475. Since that time the 9 houses of Pradoe View housing development on Holyhead Road has been added to West Felton Parish under the Local Governance Review, and a handful of other houses have been built. It is therefore more reasonable to consider the residential population of the Parish to be 1,500 in about 592 of a total 610 houses (About 18 houses are unoccupied). Of residents, 52% are female, 78% are adult, with 18% over 65 years and 19% below 16 years. There are 13% having some degree of disability or long-term health problem. Some 85% are owner occupiers with 15% renting.

A railway runs through the Parish area but there is no longer a railway station, although the previous Rednal railway station buildings remain.

The Montgomery Canal forms much of the north-western boundary of the Parish. Much industrial and social leisure heritage is associated with the canal and its former connections with the railway.

The River Perry forms its north-eastern boundary.

The main A5 trunk road bisects the Parish, connecting with the Parish (Holyhead Road) at 2 junctions, leading into the main villages. Other roads in the Parish are minor and mainly single track, though a significant HGV road leads from Queens Head through Rednal, towards Ellesmere, linking the industrial estates.

There are 2 industrial sites at Rednal near a disused airfield with a karting track nearby.

Although each of the units on the site is small compared to many industrial sites, there are about 28 small-medium sized, individual companies working there.

Agriculture however remains the main industry, in respect of product value and land-usage.

There is a nursing home in the main village with 36 residents.

West Felton village has a renowned, though overcrowded primary school, with excellent recent OfSTED reports. There is also a church, a pub, a shop, (with occasional Post Office facility), a village hall, a playground and a burial ground.

There are two pubs; ‘The Queens Head’ at Queens Head and ‘The Punch Bowl’ in the centre of West Felton village.

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There are also four churches; St. Michael’s at West Felton village, St. Chad’s at Haughton, the Methodist Chapel in West Felton village and a United Reform church between Weirbrook (Ruyton Parish) and Sandford.

There has been significant residential development in the main villages in the last 25 years.

However, during the same period there has been a loss of a doctor’s surgery, a pub with a bowling green - (the former “Fox & Hounds”), two commercial garages, a small general store, (which had previously been a butchers shop). There was also the “Haslehurst Memorial Institute” which was used amongst other things as a place for schoolchildren to take their meals. – This has now being developed into a residence and its former amenity value has not been replaced.

Adjacent to West Felton village (previously in Ruyton Parish) was a car sales garage formerly with a café facility, (30 years ago), now the “Pradoe View” housing development, which has been included within West Felton Parish as a result of recent Governance Review, Parish boundary changes.

The main emerging facts during the research for this plan include, the enduring affection its residents have for the parish, in particular, its sense of community, its feeling of countryside, its school, its remaining local shop, its playground and its annual carnival. There are however a number of considerable concerns, such as speeding traffic, very large vehicles using its narrow lanes causing fear to more vulnerable road users, an apparent lack of control over excessive housing development, poor broadband speeds and poor mobile phone signals.

These issues, with other public likes, concerns and aspirations are covered more extensively within this report, with where appropriate recommendations for general quality of life improvements and the various organisations to whom these issues are considered to be in a position to address them.

WORKING GROUP ACTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS 1.

2.

3.

At an early meeting of the steering group in spring 2013, it was decided to set up individual working groups each of which would focus on different subject areas relevant to the parish plan. Relevance in this context was determined both by the subject areas identified by West Felton residents in the initial meeting at the Village Hall in March 2013 and by discussion within the steering group.

A major focus of the discussion was to ensure that as many different community groups within the parish were identified and given the opportunity to contribute towards the final plan.

The working groups identified were as follows: x School children and young persons x Sports/leisure clubs; elderly and disability groups; churches x Workers/employers; information and communication technology; commercial x Liaison with neighbouring parishes x Parking/traffic/highways/infrastructure x Bridging/planning/building development x Environment x Transportation x Publicity

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4.

The steering group recognised that the majority of information relevant to the final parish plan would come from a questionnaire directed towards residential households in the parish. Questions were determined by the working groups and from information gained from the initial residents meeting in March 2013.

SCHOOL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS 5.

Because of the age group and schools location differences between primary and secondary/tertiary young people, it was decided, in liaison with the Rural Communities Council (RCC) to treat these as two separate groups.

6. Primary school children 7. Pupils of West Felton C of E primary school were questioned using an electronic voting system known as ’POD’, in which school children were asked questions as a group but then able to give their responses individually and contemporaneously. Their group answers were recorded on a screen, which they could see at the time, thereafter being collated by RCC for inclusion within the plan.

8. Whilst preparing for these POD questions, under an initiative of the teaching staff, the children as a whole were given the opportunity within groups to give their likes, dislikes and aspirations for the parish. These views are recorded separately on pages 92 - 104 in this report.

9. The views of young persons (11-17 years) were recognised as potentially different to those of other identified groups. Thus a series of questions were devised which were deemed particularly relevant to their demographic group but also themed along the same lines as those of for other groups.

10. As an incentive to encourage young people to express and record their views on the parish in this way, local parish based leisure providers were identified and a sports voucher system devised whereby young people completing the questionnaire would receive a reduced price opportunity to undertake one activity of their choice. Each sports voucher provided would be at a cost of £5 to the parish plan group. The costs relevant to this were provided by a grant from Shropshire Council through the local joint committee.

11. To avoid potential difficulties with data protection which might be caused for the parish plan steering group, had any individual names and addresses been retained by the group, a system of distributing questionnaires through local secondary schools and further education colleges was devised in negotiation with the relevant schools and colleges. On completion of questionnaires young people were immediately given an activity voucher by the school/college and there was no associated storage of names, addresses etc.

12. The results of the young persons’ questionnaire are recorded later in this document, at Page 14.

SPORTS/LEISURE CLUBS; ELDERLY AND DISABILITY GROUPS; CHURCHES 13. It was recognised that there were various community groups within the parish which were likely to have special opinions relevant to future quality of life issues for local residents. Key amongst these were thought to be the various clubs and societies already established and providing valued recreational or religious activities.

14. The role of this working group therefore was to contact and question those groups in order to determine their current situations, needs and aspirations for the future. These have been recorded and tabulated. (See Page 130, later in this document).

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WORKERS/EMPLOYERS; COMMERCIAL

INFORMATION

AND

COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY;

15. Over 100 businesses are known to operate within the boundaries of the parish. The opinions of their operators and employees were thought likely to be based on different criteria than those of the local residents and parish users. As a result a specific group was set up to identify and communicate with this separate community group, recognising that many within the group may not be residents of the parish.

16. It was also thought that information and communication technology would bear specific relevance to their operating activities and ability to do business effectively and efficiently.

17. After initial contact with many local businesses and Shropshire Council’s business advisor, a series of business specific questions were formulated into a separate questionnaire for this community. The results from participating companies are recorded from page 105 later within this document. Also included from page 123 is a full list of identified, publicly listed companies known to be operating within the parish.

LIAISON WITH NEIGHBOURING PARISHES 18. The parish of West Felton is surrounded by five neighbouring parishes, these being Whittington, Hordley, Ruyton X1 Towns, Knockin and Oswestry Rural South. In order to identify and share issues which were relevant across the various boundaries, each of the parish clerks was contacted and visits were made as appropriate to several of the parish council meetings. Further, such matters were considered as an agenda item at a Local Joint Committee (LJC) Meeting which coincidentally and conveniently was held within the West Felton Village Hall.

19. The group reported on cross-parish strategic issues and considered how a joint picture of some of the key issues could be built up, as individual parishes may not be able to afford any action. In joining together parishes may potentially win grant funding or work together using joint budgets to achieve mutual aims.

20. We learned that general traffic speeding, HGV and farm traffic, which is a concern across our own parish, also gave concern to Whittington and Ruyton XI Town. The road connections on the busy A5 junctions is also a common issue between these 3 parishes.

21. The unknown route of and affect to the area from the proposed pylon route was a concern as was the effect of proposed wind turbines for the parishes, and how the proliferation of such structures, considered visually unattractive, could be controlled.

22. Examples of more individual parish concerns came out of the meetings. These included Whittington Parish Plan team’s interest in a bus route to and from Gobowen Station, which could also benefit West Felton Parish residents. Also Ruyton Parish Council had grave concerns over: x The proposed closure of Baschurch Fire Station. (During the course of this plan research period, this has been resolved and thankfully, the station will now continue to service our parishes). x The joint desire for safety and congestion improvements to the A5/B4937 cross roads at Shotatton.

23. There are also joint concerns with Hordley about ABP and relevant transportation issues through routes impacting upon both parishes. x Oswestry Rural South about access from Holyhead Road onto the A5 at Queens Head.

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x

Knockin about speculative housing-development issues.

24. During the Five Perry Parishes meeting, the ‘Liaising with Local Parishes’ working group gave a report explaining the general progress being made towards the West Felton parish plan.

25. Attending the various meetings proved helpful for ours and other parishes, who are also working towards a parish plan, as we were able to share ideas and experiences.

26. In attending our neighbouring parish council meetings, a good deal of additional information was gathered, which assisted in generating relevant questions for the West Felton parish questionnaire.

PARKING/TRAFFIC/HIGHWAYS/INFRASTRUCTURE 27. It was clear from the initial parish plan meeting at the Village Hall that these issues were of high relevance to most residents.

28. During the course of the parish plan enquiries communication was entered into with local Police, Shropshire Council highway officials, the Highway Agency and statutory providers for water, electricity and communications. This included visiting a statutory providers’ meeting hosted by Shropshire Council’s Highways Department, to introduce the future relevance of Parish Plans to the delegates; the latter group representing private companies unfamiliar with the current public accountability process of which this plan forms part.

29. Any information gleaned during the course of these enquiries was passed to local people who had expressed an interest via email. However the main purpose of the exercise was to educate these relevant authorities about the parish plan process and that they could expect in due course the wishes of the West Felton residents to be documented and made available for them through the parish council and Shropshire council officers.

30. Having determined the main issues, the views of local people were sought through the questionnaires processes described above and are now recorded within this report. See pages 21 - 85 below.

31. Every effort was made in conjunction with West Felton Parish Council to lobby Shropshire Council for improvements in traffic-calming measures such as ‘Vehicle Activated Signs’ (VAS) and a revised ‘Gateway’ approach into West Felton from the south. In each of these cases to educate and alter driver behaviour within the main built up area. Further similar lobbying included liaison and site meetings with the relevant Shropshire Council official to improve the Holyhead Road/Straight Mile junction at Queens Head and, more generally, the route through to Rednal and Haughton.

32. A joint site meeting with Parish Councillors and local police officer was held to inform of and deter unreasonable car parking.

BRIDGING/PLANNING/BUILDING DEVELOPMENT 33. From the initial parish plan meeting at West Felton village hall in March 2013 it was very clear that local residents were very concerned about several proposals to develop housing on a number of currently open spaces within the parish, mainly in the immediate surrounds of the villages of West Felton and Queens Head.

34. In order to keep abreast of the progress of these proposals, determine relevant local opinions and to stay in regular contact with West Felton Parish Council and Shropshire Council’s Planning Authority, a small group was tasked with this role.

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35. Their findings came from and are included in the results of the household questionnaire at pages 57 - 63 below.

ENVIRONMENT 36. The word environment can cover a multitude of meanings. A small group was given the task of researching, recording and presenting details relating to the parish’s industrial and cultural heritage, its natural surroundings, together with relevant issues.

37. The results of this led to a detailed and informative report including many old photographs and parish maps. These can be found in this report at appendix 1, after page 132 of this document.

38. Also, again lobbying through West Felton Parish Council a site meeting was organised through the Parish Clerk with relevant police and Shropshire Council officials to deter dog-fouling offences by irresponsible owners.

TRANSPORTATION 39. Again following the initial parish plan village hall meeting, it was recognised that there were many concerns from local people about a range of transportation issues. These included matters relevant to public transport, local vehicular use, cycling and pedestrian safety and the local road and footway infrastructure.

40. Relevant questions were identified by the small group set up for this purpose. These were incorporated into the household questionnaire. The findings are therefore included within its results from pages 64 – 80 of this document.

PUBLICITY 41. In order to generate publicity for the parish plan, it was promoted in a variety of ways.

42. Initially a banner and posters, placed at strategic locations around the parish were used to publicise the first meeting. This and later issues were advertised in the local press.

The parish magazine was used not only to advertise forthcoming events, but to maintain an ongoing record of the steering groups’ activities and achievements. This was backed up by a blog site programmed by a steering group volunteer.

43. Alongside this contact was kept with local people who had asked for updates at the initial meeting using e-mail.

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Parish Clubs and Societies: 44. The results from the clubs and societies questionnaire are at pages 130 - 131 of this report.

45. Sixteen completed questionnaires were received. Clubs and Societies in the village cover all age groups from Mothers and Toddlers to The Feltonians (a small group of pensioners who meet weekly).

46. The survey of all the clubs was conducted using questionnaires and interviews.

47. Although all these clubs and activities continue – most have recurring themes. x More members would be welcome to enable them all to flourish and continue. x Parking provision would be most welcome for the Village Hall, Chapel and School.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Household Questionnaire: GENERAL - Relevant to: – WFPC; Shropshire Council (SC) 48. A total of 184 responses were received to the residents’ questionnaire giving an overall response rate of 30.6 % with 53% female, the largest age groups represented are those aged 65-75, 36-49 and 50-59.

49. In total 403 persons represented including all householders.

50. All villages and hamlets were represented except Aston Moor, with a relatively high proportion of Grimpo residents.

51. West Felton Parish’s strengths are associated with the natural environment and the people living there.

52. By far the most comments about dislikes within the parish were related to traffic and parking.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY - Relevant to: – SC; BT 53. From one hundred and eighty responses, one hundred and sixty three (90%) indicated there is access to the internet. The remaining 10% (18 responses) said that the household does not have internet access.

54. 81% of respondents indicate a wish for superfast broadband.

LEISURE – Relevant to: – Village Hall committee.

55. For other clubs/societies wanted in the parish, bowling or short mat bowling were the most popular suggestions, followed by ‘other forms of exercise and sport.’ Other clubs receiving one or two mentions were: a youth club, social / dinner or breakfast club, training courses, arts and crafts, drama and dance.

56. 98% of people stated they were regular readers of the ‘Round and About West Felton Parish Magazine.

ENERGY AND RECYCLING – Relevant to: – WFPC and SC 57. The most popular ‘green’ schemes if grants were available were improved recycling facilities and solar roof panels. – POTENTIAL ACTION – Presentations at Village Hall via WFPC and SC. 58. The most unpopular were community or domestic wind turbines.

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59. Many people indicated a lack of knowledge about ‘ground-source heat pumps’ and ‘air-source heat pumps.’ – POTENTIAL ACTION – Presentations at Village Hall via WFPC and SC. 60. On renewable energy, the most unpopular commercial units were: Wind Farms, Shale gas fracking units, individual wind turbines and fields covered by solar panels. Despite considerable further unpopularity, generally the most acceptable were anaerobic digesters followed by aerobic digesters.

MAJOR LIKES AND DISLIKES - Relevant to: – SC 61. All elements of the parish’s natural environment proved popular.

62. The most unpopular elements of parish life indicated were: ‘development’, ‘dog fouling’, ‘flytipping’ and ‘speeding’. Further comments referred to size and frequency of traffic, particularly when there is a diversion from the A5 in operation. One comment mentioned smoke from garden fires and two referred to parking issues. – ACTION – Rnd & About article.

EMPLOYMENT - Relevant to: – SC 63. There were 21 people, (13.5% of respondents) working from home and 6, (5% of respondents) considering so doing in the future. –Broadband and mobile phone communications, with associated connection speed issues were considered most important for people considering setting up a business.

64. 76% of respondents consider it important to improve employment opportunities in the parish.

65. The top 8 employment opportunities considered most important for the parish were, Light industry, Horticulture, Health Centre, Farming and Agricultural Services, Chemist, Barber/Hairdresser, Dentist, Forestry and Hardware/Household Store.

66. Respondents voted strongly for industries generating large amounts of traffic to be located away from narrow access roads and that heavy industry should be located away from residential areas.

67. Potential increases in traffic, parking issues and associated needs for new buildings were the major concerns for respondents considering the possibilities of new employment opportunities.

TOURISM - Relevant to: – SC; Tourism Board 68. 69% of respondents considered the development of tourism a worthwhile consideration for the parish’s future.

69. The 3 most popular tourism related existing parish assets needing development were considered to be: The Area’s history; the network of Footpaths and the canal.

70. For future tourism potential to be developed, new/improved B&B venues and small campsites were the most popular with respondents.

71. The top 3 information improvements to encourage tourism were: Information leaflets about walking/cycling routes; making information available at local shops/tourism centres; website and links.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC; Shrops Wildlife Trust (SWT) 72. Respondents suggested that the following were most important to them for community to get involved in maintaining: Hedgerow maintenance; Access to and maintenance of footpaths; Producing footpath maps; Planting more trees; Improving the castle-mound; Upkeep of litter/dog-mess bins and offering needy people a lift somewhere.

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73. Of total respondents, about 1 in 4, (38 people) have offered themselves for voluntary work.

Their top voluntary work offers were towards: Giving needy people a lift somewhere; Neighbourhood Watch; Helping with activities for older people; Planting more trees; Improving the castle-mound; Helping with activities for younger people and Producing footpath maps. The type of work being offered by each of the volunteers needs to be established by further contact as the questionnaire responses were separated from the names put forward, to protect anonymity.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - Relevant to: – WFPC & SC 74. On Planning and Development; 89% of respondents considered that the Parish Council were correct in opting for ‘Open Countryside’ status within the SAMDev Local Development Plan for Shropshire process.

75. Of the 11% who disagreed, a considerable majority were in favour of the ‘Community Cluster’ option, rather than ‘Community Hub.’ 76. The 11% group considered that the housing types to be encouraged in the parish were, in order of preference; 3 bedroom houses (13 for, 2 against), bungalows (10 for, 4 against); 1-2 bedroom houses (9 for, 3 against); Sheltered housing/supported living (6 for, 5 against); 4-5 bedroom houses (1 for, 7 against).

77. Of 175 respondents, 19 people were hoping to buy an affordable house in West Felton in the next 5 years, the vast majority preferring West Felton village for its location.

78. Of these, 11 gave a preference for a 3 bedroom house; 7 for a 1-2 bedroom house; 2 for bungalows and 1 for a 4-5 bedroom house. Some respondents opted for more than one choice.

79. There was limited knowledge about the availability of rental accommodation within the parish. Of those expressing a knowledgeable view for different housing types, a majority of 36 against 19 thought there were not enough sheltered/supported living houses for rent; a majority of 34 against 28 for 1-2 bedroom houses, a majority of 33 against 24 for bungalows.

For the remaining housing types the majority was in favour of there already being enough, with, for 3 bedroom houses, 28 against 23 - and for 4-5 bedroom houses, 29 against 10.

80. There were 10 respondents who were trying to rent a house in the parish now, with 9 suggesting they would be hoping to in the next 5 years.

81. All the current open spaces in the parish were considered important by respondents. There was a 62% vote in favour of having more open spaces for the future.

TRANSPORT - Relevant to: – SC – ‘Arriva’; ‘Tannat Valley’; ‘Qube’; SUSTRANS 82. The most popular available public transport services for respondents were the ‘70’ bus service, followed closely by the train service from Gobowen.

83. The most popular destinations for local services were: Service Doctor Dentist Hospital.

Gymnasium Library Post Office Work

1st choice Oswestry Oswestry Shrewsbury Oswestry Oswestry W Felton Shrewsbury

2nd choice Other Shrewsbury Gobowen Other W Felton (mobile) Oswestry Other

Service Supermarket Shopping Restaurant Pub Other Social Education -

1st choice Oswestry Oswestry Oswestry W Felton Shrewsbury Oswestry -

2nd choice Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Oswestry Oswestry W Felton -

84. The Car is by far the most used mode of transport.

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85. Oswestry is by far the most desired destination for those without personal transport.

Shrewsbury is the major other significant destination of choice.

86. Most respondents (71%) thought there was sufficient information locally available about local public transport services. Of those 29% who did not, their major suggestions for improvements were: Informative schedules provided in the ‘Round and About’ magazine; outside West Felton Stores; outside the village Hall and at the local bus stops.

87. About 30% of respondents used the Arriva ‘70’ bus service daily or several times a week. Of these a high majority used it between 10am and 4pm, perhaps reflecting the age-group of respondents with access to the free permits during this period.

88. Most of those responding said the bus was half-full or less than half-full when they used it.

89. Just over half of respondents did not want extended bus timings or routes. However, 45% request an extended time bus schedule. The significantly highest number of such requests were for weekday and Saturday evening buses, with an improved Sunday daytime schedule.

90. 37% of respondents use a bicycle regularly. This perhaps is reflective of the age-group profile of respondents.

91. The most popular suggestions for improving cycling uptake by more people were: x A dedicated cycle-route to Oswestry x Improved cycle-route signage x More information availability of local cycle routes x Cycle racks at key locations 92. The top 3 discouraging issues for cyclists are: Speeding motorists; large tractors and HGVs taking up excessive road-space and pot-holes in the road.

93. Gobowen, then Shrewsbury were by far the top locations locally for catching trains.

94. There is a potential limited uptake for additional train-users from the parish if a direct bus service was available from West Felton to Gobowen station.

95. There was considerable support shown to increase train usage by having a national train service available from Oswestry; subsidised fares and better car parking facilities at local stations. – ACTION: - Inform Cambrian Heritage Railway (CHR).

96. There were 179 respondents. Most (160) respondents had 1 or 2 cars within their household.

Slightly more had 2 than one. Seven of the respondents has no car and 22 had more than 2 in the household.

97. Of the 111 respondents, 75% had at least 1 person in the household who used a car to commute to work. The modal distance travelled to work each week is about 100 miles.

98. Those who work from home indicate travelling to work appointments between 50-100miles per week.

SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE - Relevant to: – WFPC & SC 99. The top 5 potential project areas to improve life for people in the village were considered to be help for: x Improvements for the elderly x Improvements for young people x Improving the natural environment x Improvements for people with disabilities x People without access to cars

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100. To the question: If you had a magic wand and could change just one thing for the better in West Felton Parish, what would it be? Well over one hundred comments were received. The main 4 areas suggested were: Area for improvement Transport, Traffic and Speeding Pub/ Restaurant Facilities Restrict Development Develop a Parish Centre

Number of comments 26 25 19 10

101. To the question: If you only had £1,000 what one thing would you change, the biggest group of comments related to ‘village maintenance’ including several about flowers, bulbs and hanging baskets but also includes those on benches and general tidying up of the village. The other large group of comments relates to ‘speeding’. The ‘parking’ comments focussed particularly around the village centre.

RESIDENTS’ SURVEY CONCLUSIONS - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC; SUSTRANS; Bus companies The questionnaire sought to find out what people value and dislike about life in the parish of West Felton. Some of the suggestions raised by local people indicate there are some ‘quick wins’ that could be achieved, such as: x Investigation of a bowling green facility x Improving or extending local recycling facilities x Addressing dog fouling concerns x Addressing speeding concerns x Providing more information about local transport options Other more long term improvements which the results showed support for are: x Investigate further bus connections and a national rail service from Oswestry x Investigating a dedicated cycle route to Oswestry x Investigating a ‘Village Centre’ with facilities Respondents state that they particularly value the rural, countryside aspect of the parish and with nearly half of respondents being retired; it is perhaps not surprising that the increase in size and volume of traffic and parking facilities are amongst the biggest concerns should local employment opportunities be increased.

Similar responses were received in the ‘Planning’ section with the majority of respondents agreeing with the current SAMDev designation of ‘Open Countryside’. There is only a small call for new housing (rented, affordable, owned or otherwise).

As with many issues affecting a whole community, some will agree, some will disagree. Hopefully the data in this report identifies those areas over which there is a slight difference of opinion and which would warrant further investigation with additional consultation, whilst also highlighting areas that have general community support/agreement.

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Youth Questionnaire GENERAL 102. About 110 questionnaires were delivered to local schools for completion by West Felton students aged between 11 and 17 years. Of these only 20, (12 female, 8 male) were completed, despite an incentive offer of an activity voucher (for West Felton parish based leisure activities) worth £5-£80, depending on the activity chosen. The cost of each voucher to the Parish Plan group was fixed at £5. Thanks are due to all the participating activity providers. These were: Paddle Sports, Academy Skate Park, Sky Dive, Hover Days, Archery at Rednal, Segway at Rednal, Paint Ball, Karting and Laser Quest.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT – Relevant to:- WFPC; SC; WF CoE Primary School 103. The young people particularly value the relaxed, friendly and countryside environment of the parish. They value the school, shop and playground facilities and particularly the carnival.

With only one ‘vote’ each, the young people did not rate the local employment opportunities, leisure or community activities.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY - Relevant to: – SC; BT; ICT cos.

104. From the responses it appears that the young people in the parish find poor broadband and poor mobile phone signal an issue. More than half ticked that there is no local cinema. Similar to the resident’s survey, the young people indicate there is an issue with speeding traffic.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - Relevant to – SC Planning Authority 105. The majority felt that the number of houses is about right.

LEISURE - Relevant to: – WFPC & Shropshire Council 106. There was a fairly even split of opinions on whether or not more activities were needed in the parish.

107. Of those replying that more were needed, the choices given were: Better Park 1

Rock climbing 2

Youth clubs 2

Sport 4

Outdoor Adventure 1

TRANSPORT - Relevant to:– WFPC; SC; CHR; ‘Arriva’; ‘Tannat Valley’; SWT; SUSTRANS 108. There was considerable support for a regular bus link to Bachurch (where most young people go for secondary education). There were also calls for links to Gobowen railway station, Shrewsbury (Battlefield) and a smaller number for Ellesmere.

109. The vast majority use the bus to get to their place of education.

110. Of the 20 respondents, 7 used their cycles once a week or more.

111. There were 8 who said they would use a cycle-path to Oswestry.

112. There were 60% requesting a cycle-rack at the West Felton Stores.

113. Many were aware of parking congestion issues in West Felton and congestion at West Felton Stores being the place where this is considered to be most relevant; followed by the school, then the Village Hall.

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EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – Relevant to:- WFPC; SC; Local Colleges 114. Further education and better job prospects elsewhere were considered the major reasons for young people to leave West Felton.

REQUESTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS - Relevant to:- WFPC; SC; Local Bus Companies 115. Given a magic wand to improve parish life produced the variety of answers listed below. x A skate park. A cycling route into Oswestry x Cheaper prices at the village shop x More woodland areas and nature walks x Cinema x No more building x The litter around the park and village x More schools eg secondary school; make the village bigger x More local jobs available. x Bus route to Baschurch x Make the play area bigger x I would make the play area bigger for all ages of children x More developed village, eg more facilities x Too much speeding in the area! Put speed cameras into place. x More things to do for people my age x More shops x More carnivals/fetes etc x Better surfaced and cleaner pavements x The Broadband x Have a pub in the village that was family friendly and did meals.

116. Additional comments included were as follows: x Add a local swimming pool in WF x Make more parking for the shop and primary school x There is not a lot to do for teenagers x Need more community events x Definitely needs better buses. Especially to Ellesmere/Gobowen x More things to do for younger people. Other than that it is a good village x Overgrown hedges along pavements x Bike racks by shop/centre of village would be well used 117. Some of the suggestions raised indicate there are some ‘quick or medium term wins’ that could be achieved, such as: 9 Installing bike racks 9 Investigating a solution to the parking issues raised 9 Addressing speeding concerns 9 Investigating more services and facilities aimed at young people 9 Investigating further bus connections

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Pod Voting At West Felton CoE Primary School ‘Pod voting’ is the use electronic voting devices to collect immediate quantitative feedback on a variety of multiple choice questions similar to that used in ‘Ask the Audience’ in Who wants to be a millionaire?

Results have been collected from years 3, 4, 5 and 6 in November 2013.

LEISURE - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC; SWT; Canal & River Trust (CRT); SUSTRANS 118. The main playground in West Felton is popular with the vast majority of children.

119. The ‘Whispering Oaks’ playground was far less used and less popular. It is of course much smaller and with fewer play facilities.

120. The leisure activities available at Rednal were known to 33% of children.

121. 77% were aware of and used Oswestry library.

122. There was a fairly even split between those using the local field footpaths and those not.

Slightly more did not. However, a majority (62%) did use the canal towpath for walks.

123. The ability to observe wildlife was by far their most popular reason for using the towpath.

124. Most (87%) felt safe when walking in West Felton and 89% felt safe when travelling to and from school.

125. However, 75% were aware of problems with parking congestion around the school.

126. A great majority name cars or vans as their main method of transport.

127. There were 80% who said they used their bikes in the area they live.

128. For a cycle path to Oswestry, 34% said they would use it, 66% would not.

129. The vast majority were in favour of a cycle rack at West Felton Stores.

130. Most, (75%) had the bus service available to them, where they live, though only 11% said they use it.

131. However, a larger number (31%) use the bus to go to Shrewsbury.

132. There was a fairly even split between those wanting to stay in West Felton when they grow up and those wanting to be elsewhere.

133. Peace and quiet, the school and the friendly local people were the main 3 reasons given for liking this parish.

134. The least liked things (in order) about life in the parish were: Dog Mess on pavements; Speeding traffic; Bad car parking; Litter; Large vehicles filling the road.

135. There was a strong majority preference for a BMX track for improving the parish, though a higher number opted for ‘something else’.

136. Although the latter, ‘something else,’ was not specified, some ideas can be gleaned from the table below of their suggestions to improve life in West Felton parish.

Group A ideas:

Group B ideas:

Group C ideas:

Jensen, Sarah, Sophie

Madison F, Madison K, Cameron, Robin, Molly

Olivia, Morgan, Nell, Naomi, Gemma

Youth club for 10-14 yrs

Better bus service- in evening & use double decker at peak times Boat rides on canal- like Llanymynech

More park equipment- old part needs upgrade, bright paint etc Pots of flowers- outdoors

Italian restaurant

16

Another couple of clubs – e.g. Girls Guides Floating restaurant Tennis courts Marked football pitch

Lake for fishing Viewing point- near canal, castle Mechanics/ garage

Maps of all the good walksleaflets at shop. Road signs overgrown Girl Guides Parking improvements Better hours at shop/Post Office (more post office days), longer evening hours in summer Community café-village centre day time Garage- fuel Multi use games area

Expand village shop Activity centre with crafts & different activities – rooms for games etc

Football or Tennis or Rugby

Brown signs to advertise activities in WF

More benches

Bus stops upgrade More car parks Tidy up Remembrance monument

Take away shop Age Concern - community links with youth More bins (litter and dog mess) - Put on map More money for community projects – e.g. caring circles Fine people for not picking up after their dogs Map of West Felton Parish at shop Nature walk on map

Business Questionnaire

GENERAL - Relevant to: – WFPC; Shropshire Council (SC); Local Colleges; ICT providers; BT 137. Of a recognised 112 operating businesses within the parish, 33 (just under 30%) responded to the parish plan questionnaire.

138. Most responding local businesses are small employing 1-4 employees.

139. About 60% were operating at full capacity, the remainder had further available capacity.

RECRUITMENT - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC; Local Colleges 140. The declared number of staff recruited during the last 12 months by responding companies was 26.

141. There were 30% of companies expecting to recruit more staff over the next 12 months.

142. 58% of companies felt able to recruit the right type of staff locally. Exceptions were: x Old paint & metal work skills x trained nurses x Qualified pool/spa technicians x Quality office/administration x Graphic designers staff have been difficult to find. x Telecoms experts – wiring/installation x Farm workers x Website developers x Traditional building repairers 17

143. 38% of firms would welcome the availability of more training course. The types of training needed were: 9 Spraying, chain sawing etc.

9 Use of traditional material and techniques in building renovation/repairs.

9 Customer Service management.

9 Local area wood work/forestry.

9 Electrical work specific to petrol stations.

9 Old paint and metal work skills.

9 Specialist software courses.

144. 62% of companies were unfamiliar with apprentice programmes.

SALES – Relevant to:- SC 145. - 8 (24%) companies said that they sell/provide goods/services overseas. The remainder generally concentrate on more local markets.

GRANTS, ICT, STAFF ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENT – Relevant to:- SC 146. 70% of companies sought information on business related grants.

147. 60% of businesses sought networking ties with other businesses within their sector or from wider fields.

148. 73% believed superfast broadband availability would improve their business.

149. 33% of companies would appreciate childcare facilities for staff.

150. A number of companies had sought recent advice from a variety of sources such as Bank Managers, Accountants, NFU, Tax Office and Business Advice Centres relating to Employment Law. Comments were also made that businesses faced too much red tape.

151. There was a lack of knowledge generally about local business support agencies and organisations.

LOCAL ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES - Relevant to:- WFPC; SC; Local Bus Cos. 152. The top 3 listed advantages of the West Felton location were: x Good networking and support from the local community. x The pleasant and quiet atmosphere of a rural environment x Near and easy access to the national road network via the A5.

153. The 2 major disadvantages listed were poor broadband speeds and the local mobile phone signal.

154. Transport related problems were generally few. The major problems were: x Access issues for large vehicles on small local lanes x Dusty/muddy local roads x The lack of a bus service to the Rednal industrial estate.

CRIME - Relevant to:- WFPC; SC; West Mercia Police 155. Although some crime occurred it was not considered any major problem for companies.

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GENERAL COMMENTS - Relevant to:- WFPC; SC 156. There were objections to the proliferation of housing development in West Felton, causing increasing transportation difficulties.

157. Wishes were expressed for contacts who are knowledgeable of West Felton Businesses and Council facilities.

Clubs and Societies GENERAL - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC – (See full report at Page 130) 158. Two comments were relevant to all the societies:

x x

More members would be welcome to enable them all to flourish and continue.

Parking provision would be most welcome for the Village Hall, Chapel and School

Environment GENERAL - Relevant to: – WFPC; SC; English Heritage; SWT; Natural England; Canal and River Trust; Ramblers’ Association. – (See full report at Appendix 1, following page 132 of this report.)

HISTORIC FEATURES - Relevant to: – (EH) 159. Review the current Listed Buildings list 160. Consider if other any historic sites require protection 161. Develop a community project around a historic site RIGHTS OF WAY - Relevant to: – (RA) 162. Assess current footpath accessibility.

163. Clear footpath routes of vegetation and encourage local landowners to clear routes through crops.

164. Carry out repairs to existing stiles and install kissing gates to improve access to all.

165. Develop a circular walk and local route maps.

NATURAL LANDSCAPE - Relevant to: – (SWT, NE) 166. Discover and collect information about West Felton Parish’s natural assets 167. Protect & manage the natural assets 168. Create & expand these natural assets SSSI MANAGEMENT (Around Montgomery Canal) - Relevant to: – (C&RT) 169. Help with the management of new off channel reserves 170. Volunteers to assist with clearance of invasive plant species and scrub 171. Additional signage along the canal.

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WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY - Relevant to: – (SWT) 172. Carry out a habitat mapping exercise 173. Review current habitat management best practice 174. Build effective relationships with local landowners to promote / enhance the local environment 175. Develop a habitat management plan 176. Protect and expand current habitats including ‘Wildlife Corridors & Stepping Stones’ ACTIONS BY WFPC AND SC: 1. To ensure that all above named relevant bodies are informed about those matters above relevant to their organisations.

2. To negotiate action plans, where possible, report back through WFPC and West Felton Parish Plan Steering Group and to monitor progress.

ACTIONS BY WFPP STEERING GROUP: To monitor progress of all ensuing Parish Plan action plans.

20

West Felton Parish Plan 2014 Analysis Report covering: 5HVLGHQW¶V Survey Youth Survey and School Pod Voting Sessions

Prepared by The Community Council of Shropshire, on behalf of West Felton Parish Council September 2014

Renée Wallace Shropshire RCC

21

Contents: Residents’ and Young People’s Surveys Page West Felton Parish Consultation Activities Overview West Felton Parish Residents’ Questionnaire About You Life in West Felton Parish Community Facilities and Services Sustainable Living Our Local Environment Local Employment Developing Local Employment opportunities Tourism Community Involvement Planning Housing Need Affordable Housing, exception sites and prioritising local need Protecting Special Places Transport Bus Services Cycle Facilities Train Services Car Travel Future Priorities for West Felton Parish Use of Community Funds Conclusions West Felton Parish Youth Questionnaire Overview Question Results Conclusions West Felton Parish ‘Pod’ Voting Session Overview Question Results Conclusions What do you want in our parish?

23 23 25 25 28 30 39 45 46 50 53 55 57 57 59 62 64 71 75 76 78 80 80 83 85 85 85 91 92 92 92 103 104

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West Felton Parish Consultation Activities Overview This is a report into the findings of the analysis of community consultation activities carried out by volunteers from West Felton Parish, who collectively form the West Felton Parish Plan Committee. The results have been collected and analysed independently by Shropshire RCC (The Community Council of Shropshire), a leading local charity which aims to improve quality of life and strengthen communities in the county. The data input and data analysis was carried out by Renée Wallace and members of the Rural Services Team at Shropshire RCC. Three questionnaires were designed to assist the review and refresh of the West Felton Parish Plan which was published in 2005. This included: x A ‘Residents’ questionnaire comprising 63 questions about a range of topics x A ‘Youth’ questionnaire containing 16 questions specifically aimed at 11 – 17 year olds x A ‘Business questionnaire’ A pod voting exercise in the local school was also undertaken.

This report combines the findings from the resident’s and youth questionnaires and the pod voting exercise.

About 600 resident’s questionnaires were distributed covering the households in the parish.

These questionnaires were designed to combine the views of everyone in that household.

However, anyone in the household over the age of 17 could fill in their own questionnaire on-line. Each questionnaire had a unique code and on-line entries were asked for this code.

There was a prize draw for completed questionnaires and to enter, people were asked for their address and contact details. To ensure anonymity these details were removed before analysis. There was also a Volunteer Form at the back of the questionnaire, and again this was removed before analysis. Completed questionnaires were collected at the Village Store and the Primary School before being sent off for independent analysis.

A total of 184 responses were received to the residents’ questionnaire giving an overall response rate of 30.6 %. It was possible to complete the questionnaire online, 12 replies were received in this way. The remaining 172 responses were received using the printed form.

The youth questionnaire was distributed through local schools to about 110 11-17 year olds.

As a reward for completing their questionnaire, young people were issued with a £5 voucher which could be redeemed at a variety of local leisure venues. Twenty youth questionnaire replies were received, giving a response rate of 18%.

It should be noted that those who filled in the questionnaire, did not necessarily answer ALL of the questions or even made a selection on ALL PARTS of a question. Unless otherwise stated, where percentages are shown, this relates to the percentage of responses to that particular question or part of the question. Each question in the report below has a statement on how many responses were received, so a count of the number of questionnaires which had a response for that question or that part of the question.

Several questions within the residents’ questionnaire comprised an open comments field, inviting the respondent to share their views. Any comments made have been reviewed, and

23

anything that identifies an individual, either as having made the comment, or where comment is directed at a specific person, has been removed. Where appropriate, comments have been summarised and reported in the section to which they relate.

24

West Felton Parish Resident’s Questionnaire About you Q1. Do the responses given combine the views of everyone in the household?

One hundred and seventy eight responses were received, with 95% (169 responses) stating a combined view for everyone in their household. Nine responses (5%) said other members of the household would fill in their own questionnaire.

Do the responses given combine the views of everyone in the household?

No 9 (5%)

Yes 169 (95%)

Q2. Will further questionnaires be completed electronically?

Of the 169 responses, 27 (16%) said further questionnaires would be filled in online. Twelve online responses were received.

Will further questionnaires be completed electronically?

Yes 27 (16%)

No 142 (84%)

25

Q3. Please tell us about yourself and each of the people in your household for whom you are answering the questionnaire One hundred and eighty responses were received. They indicate that 53% of the people whose views are represented in this report are female and 47% are male, with a total of 380 people whose opinion is represented.

Male vs Female Male 177 (47%)

Female 203 (53%)

This question also sought to establish the age profile of the people whose opinion is reported on. The graph below shows the number of people in each age band. This indicates that the largest age groups represented are those aged 65-75, 36-49 and 50-59. It should be noted that the size of the age bands varies and gets wider with age (16 and 17 year olds have their own band, 65-75 spans 10 years).

Age profile 100

89

90 77

80 70 60 50

59 48 39

37

40 30

19

20

25

10

10 0 <16

16-17

18-24

25-35

36-49

50-59

60-64

65-75

76+

In total 403 people are declared (by this question) to be represented.

26

Q4. Which part of West Felton Parish do you live in?

One hundred and seventy eight responses were received. The most popular location was West Felton (138). Responses were received from all other areas of the Parish with the exception of Aston Moor. The other areas with greatest representation were Queens Head (8) and Grimpo (7).

Where respondents live if not in West Felton 9

8

8

7

7 6

5

5

4

4

4

3

3

2

2 1

2 1

2 1

1

0

0

Q5. What is your post-code One hundred and sixty seven people answered this question and gave their postcode.

27

Life in West Felton Parish Q6. What do you (and members of your household) like most about living in the parish?

One hundred and eighty responses were received. Multiple answers could be ticked. The most popular reasons ticked were: x x x x

Countryside location (169) A relaxed place to live (141) The local environment (137) The sense of community (99)

This indicates that West Felton Parish’s strengths are associated with the natural environment and the people living there.

The lowest number of ticks was for ‘good location for employment’ with just 17 ticks. ‘Places to play or relax’, ‘community activities’ and ‘facilities and services’ also received low counts.

‘Other’ was ticked 13 times. In additional comments, the schools were mentioned twice and there were five mentions of the good local transport links. Other comments related to the environment and countryside and the community/friendly people. The graph below shows the results.

What do you like most about living in the parish?

180

169

160 141

137

140 120

99

100 80

77

70

63

60

48

40 20

47 31

17

13

0

28

Q7. What do you (and members of your household) like least about living in the Parish?

One hundred and seventy two responses were received. Multiple answers could be ticked.

Least liked were: x x x x

Speeding (101) Broadband (96) Mobile phone coverage (82) Traffic (67)

The reasons selected the fewest number of times were ‘Access to services’, ‘Public transport links’ and ‘Lack of employment’. The graph below shows the results.

What do you like least about living in the parish?

120

101 100

96

82 80 67 60 48 40 32

20

19

31

29 17

15

17

0

29

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was ticked 17 times. Below the comments received are grouped by common areas. In some cases, comments related to multiple areas. By far the most comments related to traffic and parking.

Other things people like least about the parish lack of gas 2 lack of pub in WF village 3 dog fouling 8

traffic and parking 17

development and housing 5

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Community Facilities and Services Q8. Does your household have access to the internet?

One hundred and eighty responses were received. One hundred and sixty three (90%) indicated there is access to the internet. The remaining 10% (18 responses) said that the household does not have internet access.

Does your household have access to the internet?

No 18 (10%)

Yes 163 (90%)

Q9. Would you like access to super-fast broadband?

Of the 168 responses, a large majority (81%) ticked ‘Yes’. However, 32 responses were received with ‘No’ ticked (19%).

Would you like to access superfast broadband?

No 32 (19%)

Yes 136 (81%)

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Q10. Which of the existing facilities and services in West Felton do you and any members of your household use and how often.

The responses to this question are shown in the table and graph below.

Total number of responses

Several times a week

Once a week

Once a month

Once a year

Never

Not now

Village Store School Methodist Church Hall Village Hall WF Playing Field Whispering Oaks playground Parish churches and chapels Bus service

94 18

62 3

18 0

3 1

3 77

1 23

1

17

27

17

62

8

7 9

30 11

28 29

70 27

15 45

4 7

1

4

3

3

99

7

3

17

20

41

52

4

22

22

44

29

37

4

Queen's Head Pub

3

13

65

52

21

8

158 162

Punch Bowl' Pub Household recycling centre

1

14

12

21

61

40

145

1

17

49

32

44

4

146

181 122 132 152 128 117 136

Which of these facilities/services do you use and how often?

120 100 80 60

Several times a week

40

Once a week

20

Once a month

0

Once a year Never Not now

32

For ease of interpretation these results are split out into separate graphs below by frequency of use, showing the number of responses and then by facility in pie charts further down.

Several times a week 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

94

18 1

7

9

22 1

3

3

1

1

13

14

17

Once a week 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

62 30 17

11

3

17

22

4

Once a month 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

65 49

44 27

18 0

28

29

20 3

12

33

Once a year 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

70 52

41 3

29

27

17

32

21

3

1

Never 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

99 77

62

52

45

61 37

15

3

44 21

Not now 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

40 23 8 1

4

7

7

4

4

8

4

34

Village Store 3, 2%

3, 2% 1, 0%

18, 10% Several times a week Once a week Once a month

94, 52%

Once a year Never

62, 34%

Not now

A total of 181 responses were received. This chart shows that the Village Store is a well-used facility (156 at least once a week, 94 several times a week). Only four households indicated they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use the facility.

School and playing facilities 18, 15%

23, 19%

3, 2% 0, 0% 1, 1%

Several times a week Once a week Once a month Once a year Never Not now

77, 63%

A total of 122 responses were received, the majority indicating that the household do not use the school (100 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; never or not now). This may be related to the age profile of the people represented (similar pattern for the two playing fields).

35

Bus service 4, 3%

22, 14%

37, 23%

Several times a week 22, 14%

Once a week Once a month Once a year Never Not now

29, 18% 44, 28%

A total of 158 responses were received. This relates to the Arriva number 70 bus. Forty-four responses indicated that the household use this at least once a week and half of that number uses the service multiple times a week.

However 41 responses say their household never uses it.

Public Houses

Queen's Head Pub

Punch Bowl' Pub

8, 5%3, 2% 13, 8% 21, 13%

Several times a week Once a week

40, 27%

1, 1%

14, 9% 12, 8%

Once a month

21, 14%

Once a year

65, 40% 52, 32%

Never Not now

61, 41%

When asked about likes and dislikes in the Parish (Q7), 3 responses mentioned ‘a lack of pub in WF Village’. At the time the questionnaire was open for responses, there were two pubs in the area but one had just closed. When asked how often they use the Queens Head Pub, the vast majority (65 responses) said their household uses it once a month and a similar number (52 responses) one a year. A total of 162 responses were received.

Bearing in mind that the Punch Bowl Pub had just closed, the vast majority of responses stated the household don’t use it (101 ‘never’ or ‘not now’). A total of 149 responses were received.

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Household recycling centre 4, 3% 1, 1%

17, 11% Several times a week Once a week

44, 30%

Once a month Once a year

49, 33%

Never

32, 22%

A total of 146 responses were received. Forty nine for ‘once a month’ and 32 for ‘once a year’.

However, a further 48 households never uses this facility. Two comments were received indicating that the commenter does not know where this facility is.

Q11. Which of the following clubs or societies do you use?

One hundred and sixty two responses were received, of which 72 indicated that the household does not use any of these clubs or societies (ticked ‘None of these’) The graph below also shows the clubs and societies that those who responded to the survey do attend. The church, the garden club and the WI are most popular.

Which clubs or societies do you use?

30 26 25 20

19

20 15

13 11

10

7 5

5

8

8

8

8

6

6 3

7

5 3

3

3 1

0

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Q12 Are there any others you would like?

A small number of comments were received for this question. Eight mentioned bowling or short mat bowling. Seven mentioned other forms of exercise and sport. Four mentioned ‘Flexors’ as an existing club and noted that it was missed off the list in the questionnaire.

Other clubs receiving one or two mentions were: a youth club, social / dinner or breakfast club, training courses, arts and crafts, drama and dance.

Q13. Do you read the ‘Round and About West Felton’ monthly magazine?

One hundred and eighty four responses were received. The overwhelming majority stating that the Parish magazine is read by members of their household. Just 3 indicated that their household does not read the magazine.

Do you read 'Round and About West Felton' No 3 (2%)

Yes 180 (98%)

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Sustainable Living This section of the questionnaire was designed to gauge opinion about renewable energy and sustainable living in West Felton Parish, both domestic and commercial.

Q14. Thinking about domestic renewable energy and sustainable living; if grants and/or trusted advice were made available, which if any of the below measures would you consider?

Responses to these measures varied as per the table below.

Air source heat pump Cavity wall insulation

35 32

No thank you 40 24

Community garden - fruit & veg growing

49

52

10

7

Community owned wind turbine

46

72

9

0

Domestic wind power generator

28

76

17

1

Double/triple window glazing

48

7

2

100

Efficient modern boiler Ground source heat pump

53 46

12 34

5 38

69 1

Improved/more local recycling facilities

102

21

2

9

Loft insulation Solar roof panels

36 78

7 54

0 1

111 10

Yes please

Unknown system

Already installed

48 0

1 94

Toptal responses received 124 149 118 127 121 155 138 119 134 151 143

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Below the responses to the various measures are shown in graph form.

Firstly, a count of those respondents interested in measures if grants and/or trusted advice were available (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes pleaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;). Underneath a count of respondents having no interest in the measures indicated.

'Yes please' 120

102

100 78

80 60 40

49 35

48

46

32

53

46 36

28

20 0

'No thank you' 80

72

76

70 60 50

54

52 40

40 30

34 24

21

20 10

7

12

7

0

40

Improved/more local recycling facilities One hundred and two responses (out of the 134 received relating to this measure) (76%), indicated that the household would consider making more use of local recycling facilities. It should also be noted that in question 10, 48 responses (out of 146) (33%) stated their household do not currently use this facility.

However, here 21 responses (16%) came in as ‘No thank you’. Some more specific consultation around this topic may therefore be useful.

Community garden – fruit & veg growing One hundred and twenty seven responses were received, 49 (39%) indicating an interest in a Community garden scheme but an almost equal number – 52 (41%) said ‘No thank you’.

Unknown systems The graph below shows the responses where ‘Unknown system’ was ticked. This may point at information which could be made available to residents to help them become better informed about measures, such as the two types of heat pumps.

Unknown system 60 50

48 38

40 30 17

20 10

10 0

9 2

5

2

0

1

0

St Michael's Church Gates

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Already installed The final graph for this question shows the current uptake amongst households of these systems. Most popular responses were towards the mainstream energy efficiency measures (loft and cavity wall insulation, double glazing, efficient boiler). Ten responses indicated that the household had already installed solar PV (7% of those who responded to this question).

Again, these results could be used to determine where information and effort should be directed to inform households about these measures.

Already installed 120 94

100

111

100 69

80 60 40 20

1

7

0

1

1

9

10

0

In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; field which was offered with this question, two responses mentioned Biomass boilers.

Q15. For commercial/agricultural renewable energy; would you encourage or discourage the measures below?

The number of responses were as follows: x x x x x x

Aerobic digesters (large scale units) 149 Anaerobic (biomass) digesters 153 Fields covered by solar panels 152 Individual large Wind Turbines 155 Shale Gas Fracking units 156 Wind farms 160

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The two graphs below show the responses.

For and Strongly For commercial / agricultural renewable energy measures 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

35

31

34

21 8

6

22

20 6

8

6

Strongly for

7

For Aerobic digesters (large scale units)

Anaerobic (biomass) digesters

Fields covered by solar panels

Individual Shale Gas Wind farms large Wind Fracking units Turbines

Against and Strongly Against commercial / agricultural renewable energy measures 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

71

65 46 43

44 32

50 42

30 31

36

43 Strongly Against Against

Aerobic digesters (large scale units)

Anaerobic Fields Individual (biomass) covered by large Wind digesters solar panels Turbines

Shale Gas Fracking units

Wind farms

43

The graph below shows this data in one combined graph (‘for’ and ‘strongly for’ added together and ‘against’ and ‘strongly against’ added together) highlighting the difference between these viewpoints.

Combined For, Against and Not sure 114

120 101 100 76

80

61 60 40

92

89

47 27

20

39

54 41

For

40 22

23

28

27

Against

29 18

Not sure

0 Aerobic digesters (large scale units)

Anaerobic Fields covered Individual Shale Gas Wind farms (biomass) by solar large Wind Fracking units digesters panels Turbines

The results indicate that wind farms, shale gas fracking, individual large wind turbines and fields covered by solar panels were the renewable energy options which respondents were most against. Although respondents were also against aerobic digesters and anaerobic digesters, the difference between for and against is much less.

44

Our local environment Q16. Which aspects of the parish do you think are important to protect?

One hundred and eighty one responses were received. Multiple answers were permitted and the graph below shows there were no firm favourites with opinion equally divided between the options.

As the total number of responses received was 181, it shows that many respondents must have ticked almost all boxes. Ponds, roadside verges and the cemetery / burial ground attracted the least interest but not significantly so.

Aspects of the parish to protect 200 180 160 140

172

169 145

165 151

146

149 134

159

159

142

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Further comments were invited and 15 were received, mainly re-iterating the countryside aspects of life in West Felton and to say ALL of the options were important to the commenter.

45

Q17. Which, of the following problems reduce your enjoyment of the Parish?

One hundred and seventy six responses were received. Multiple answers were permitted and this question shows a more obvious picture as can be seen in the graph below. The issues chosen most often were â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dog foulingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fly-tippingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;speedingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Responses indicated that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;accessibilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;floodingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lack of open spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are not issues that strongly affect enjoyment of the Parish.

Issues reducing enjoyment of the parish 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

131 111

115

101

98 67

64

41 7

20

13

Again, comments were invited and 17 were received, mostly re-enforcing the selected options. Several comments referred to size and frequency of traffic, particularly when there is a diversion from the A5 in operation. One comment mentioned smoke from garden fires and two referred to parking issues.

Local employment This section was designed to gauge opinion about local employment and where (if any) there are obstacles for people trying to find or maintain themselves in work.

4 3OHDVH GHVFULEH \RXU FXUUHQW HPSOR\PHQW VLWXDWLRQ $UH \RXÂŤ" $V WKH JUDSK EHORZ VKRZV WKH PRVW SRSXODU JURXS LV ÂľUHWLUHGÂś DQG WKH next highest FDWHJRU\ LV ÂľLQ HPSOR\PHQWÂś +RZHYHU LW VKRXOG EH QRWHG WKDW PXOWLSOH RSWLRQV ZHUH allowed, including others in their household as requested at the start of the questionnaire. A total of 182 responses were received but a total of 208 persons is being reported on according to this question.

In question 1, 169 respondents (out of 184) said they were filling in this questionnaire for everyone in their household. Answers given in question 2 indicate that the total number of people whose views are represented in this survey and who answered the gender question is 380 and the age groups question shows a total of 403 people in the combined households.

It is therefore apparent that this question does not fully explain the precise employment status of each person whose views are represented in this report. This could be because in a household of two both people have the same status, but this box could only be ticked once.

46

Respondents' employent situation 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

95 66

20 8

6

4

0

8

1

The respondent who selected ‘other’ did not provide further information regarding their employment status.

0% 4% 4%2%

0% In employment

32%

Self-employed Unemployed Retired Semi retired Full time education

46% 9%

Work based training

3%

Q19. Do you work from home or are you thinking about starting to?

The graphs below show how this question was answered. ‘I currently work from home’ received 156 responses and ‘I am thinking about starting to work from home’ received 121 responses.

I am thinking about starting to work from home

I currently work from home 135

150

150 100 50

115

100 50

21

6 0

0 Yes

No

Yes

No

47

Q20. What factors are important to you, in terms of making it possible to work from home or run a business in West Felton Parish? How well are your business/home working needs met?

In the previous question only 21 responses indicated that there was somebody working from home, with a further six households having someone who is thinking about it (so a total of 27). However, more responses were received so others also responded to this question, exact response numbers shown below: x x x x x x

x x x x x

Broadband 46 Mob phone network 45 3/4 G mob data 23 Workspace â&#x20AC;&#x201C; office 20 Workspace - light industrial 11 Workspace - heavier industrial 8

Qualified / skilled staff 8 Road network 29 Public transport 17 Business finance 10 Training facilities 10

The graph below shows the issues which were rated as important only from those who already work from home or are thinking about it.

Important to me 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

24

21 10

9

7 0

0

1

4

2

2

The question also sought to understand if any of these were a problem in the Parish.

48

The graph below indicates the aspects rated as being well provided for.

This is well provided for, I don't have any problems 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

14 9

7 3

2

6

6

7

5

5

1

The next graph shows aspects which were found to be problematic in the parish. The ŐƌĞLJ bar (first bar for each option and mostly higher) meaning ‘causing difficulty sometimes’ and the LJĞůůŽǁ bar (shown second and lower) meaning causing ‘real difficulty’. The chart shows that ‘Broadband’, ‘Mobile Phone’ and ‘Data’ are the main issues causing difficulty.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

9

8

6 4

5 2

1

2 0

0

1

2 0

0 0

0

0 0

0

1

1

One additional comment was left: ‘Quality of road surfaces poor throughout Shropshire’.

49

0

Developing local employment opportunities There are 112 registered businesses within the parish. The biggest concentration is at Rednal Industrial Estate where there are 28.

Q21. Do you think that it is a good idea to try to create more employment opportunities within the parish?

One hundred and sixty eight responses were received for this question. The majority of responses (76%) were in favour but just under one quarter of those who responded choose ‘no’, as indicated in the graph below.

Do you think that it is a good idea to try to create more employment opportunities within the Parish?

150

128

100 40

50 0 Yes

No

Q22. If yes, what sort of employment opportunities would it be appropriate to encourage?

The answers reported on below were filtered to only show those from the ones who selected ‘Yes’ in question 21. Multiple choices were allowed in this question.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

92 80 63

59

57

69

64

61

52 40 30

15

82

77

11

11

25 12

16

14

16

10

12

9

Yes No

50

A lot of the options receive good support except ‘Road haulage’ and ‘Heavier industry’.

Opinion is divided regarding law firms.

Fourteen comments were left in the ‘other’ box, some re-affirming chosen options but five comments related to the ‘Hospitality Industry’ (pub, restaurant, B&B).

Q23. Which of the following statements do you think are important in deciding where employment-related development is located?

Multiple answers were permitted for this question. The questionnaire carried a note: The location of new employment-related development could have wider implications for access of other infrastructure.

The statements were as follows: 1. Businesses generating significant increases in traffic volumes or HGV/Large haulage vehicles to be located away from areas where access roads are narrow, minor country lanes.

2. For office based employment, encourage combined residential and office space (live/work) development 3. Heavy industry to be located away from residential areas One hundred and fifty five responses were received and the graph shows how the statements were rated.

Which of the following statements do you think are important in deciding where employment-related development is located?

160

142

141

140 120 100 74

80 60 40 20 0 Statement 1

Statement 2

Statement 3

Seven comments were received and they are included below: x x x x x x

No retail businesses on the Rednal airdrome no change in conditions imposed on 'potato' storage sheds No to heavy industry - should not be allowed at all Better commercial use of industrial areas at Rednal Just be sensible - blanket statements on such a complex question would not be wise.

It is vital that traffic doesn't increase through the village. It is already a major issue.

Employment but at the expense of the village - no new large housing estates, shops.

51

x

Away from school - already enough traffic here & part of school's charm & success is that it is located in open countryside.

Q24. If local employment opportunities were to be increased, do you have any concerns? If so what?

Multiple answers were permitted and as the graph below shows how this question was answered. It is clear that there are concerns around all of the suggestions, ‘traffic’ and ‘parking’ resulting in the greatest level of concern.

Response rates were as follows: x x x

x

Increase in HGV traffic 164 Increased volume of traffic 166 Lack of parking facilities 157

x

Pressure on existing shop facility 142 The need for new buildings 146

If local employment opportunities were to be increased, do you have any concerns?

131

140 120

103

94

100

72

80 54

60 40 20

51

47

57

54

7

9

A little concerned

38

26 12

No concern

20

Very concerned

0 Increase in HGV traffic

Increased volume of traffic

Lack of parking Pressure on facilities existing shop facility

The need for new buildings

Five additional comments were made, all affirming concerns about traffic and parking.

52

Tourism Shropshire Council's strategic plans support increased opportunities for tourism, including green tourism, such as making links with natural, cultural and historic assets, opportunities for walking and cycling, and local foods, drink and crafts.

Q25. Do you think it is a good idea to encourage more tourism in West Felton Parish?

This question received a similar response to the one on Employment, the majority indicating ‘Yes’ but still a third saying ‘No’. A total of 173 responses were received.

Do you think it is a good idea to encourage more tourism in West Felton Parish?

No 53 (31%)

Yes 120 (69%)

The questionnaire then referred those choosing ‘No’ to ignore questions 26, 27 and 28 and go to question 29. Those who do want to encourage tourism were asked to consider what information and facilities there need to be and what services could be offered.

Q26. What opportunities for developing tourism/recreational services do you think are appropriate within West Felton Parish?

A total of 131 responses were received but only those from the 120 ‘Yes’ voters in question 25 are represented here. The graph below shows that the suggested activities all received a fair amount of support with the most popular ones being the area’s ‘Footpaths’, ‘History’ and ‘Canal’.

120

106

100 80

80

105

102 89

79

63

60 40 20 0

Nine additional comments were received but only one suggested tourism/recreational services in addition to the ones already listed: ‘Carnival like events in the winter – fireworks etc.’.

53

Q27. Which of the following sorts of development do you think would be appropriate in West Felton Parish?

Again, a total of 131 responses were received but only those who answered ‘Yes’ in question 25 (118) are represented here. Respondents were asked to think about options to increase the amount and range of visitor accommodation. As the graph below shows the overwhelming support appears to be for ‘Bed and Breakfast’ and ‘Small scale campsites’. Ten responses indicated that they do not want to increased visitor accommodation.

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

103 73

8

6 Bed and breakfast

Small campsites

Larger campsites

20

Static caravans Static caravans near villages in the countryside

10 No increase

Five further comments were received with one suggesting ‘YMCA type Accommodation’ and another ‘Self-catering Holiday Lets’.

Q28. What sorts of information improvements for tourism do you think would be most effective?

This question received 121 responses but only 112 of the ‘Yes’ voters from question 25 (120 in total) responded. Below ALL responses are shown. As shown in the graph below all of the suggestions get support. The most popular measures are ‘walking/cycling leaflets’, ‘information at key locations’ and ‘information sharing via a website’.

Most effective tourism improvements 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

94

91

63

86 66

Information leaflets Leaflets about the Information Information boards (walking/cycling) parish available at local shops/tourism centres

Website

Three further comments were left, two questioned investment in any of the options doubting that people visit the parish other than to see family. One raised the issue that if website improvements are to be made, not only the parish website should be considered but other sites too.

54

Community involvement This part of the questionnaire sought to establish the type of things members of the household support and what they may be able to give their own time towards. A list was provided but other ideas were welcomed. Those interested in volunteering were asked to complete the volunteering form at the end of the questionnaire. Thirty eight respondents completed this form.

Q29. If you were to give one hour a month to benefit your village or somewhere in West Felton Parish, what would you want to use that time for?

The question asked what aspects of the community the household felt important and what members were actually be prepared (or able) to get involved in. The graph below shows the responses. As some of the description issues/activities were quite long they have been shortened to fit in the graph.

The blue (shown first and consistently higher) columns represent ‘Yes, this is important’ and the red (lower, second) columns represent ‘I’d be interested in helping with this’.

Community Involvement 90 77

80 69

67

70 60

65

65

65

55 47

50 40

68

39 35

46

48 44

42

34

33

30 21 20

20 8

10 2

11 7

13 9

8

18

17 10

13

16 11

9

14 9

3

0

55

Here is a complete list of the options people were given: x x x x x x x x x x

Additional benches Better management to open spaces Better verge management Create allotments Create more ponds Establish Parish footpath maps Giving someone in need a lift somewhere Help set up a farm watch Help set up a neighbourhood watch Help with activities for disabled people

x x x x x x x x

Help with activities for older people Help with activities for younger people Improve access to Parish footpaths Maintain footpaths More litter / dog mess bins Plant more trees Preserve and manage the hedgerows Protect and enhance West Felton castle mound

There is good support for most of the suggestions but most popular are ‘footpath maps’, ‘access and maintenance of footpaths’, ‘bins’, ‘trees’, ‘hedgerows’ and ‘castle mound’.

Despite this interest, the figures for willingness to get involved are much lower. The most popular aspects here are helping with ‘community transport’ and ‘neighbourhood watch’. The 38 volunteering forms should be followed up.

Thirteen additional comments were left, mostly stating that they already do a lot of volunteering, others stating they are unable to help at the moment.

One respondent left the comment: ‘I didn’t know there was a Castle Mound!’

56

Planning People were encouraged to answer as many of the questions in this section as they felt able though it was recognised that people may not feel ‘equipped’ to comment on some. It was stressed that the Parish Plan carried real weight, through Shropshire Council, in the statutory process for planning and development and that therefore it is vital that this consultation examines parish priorities.

The questionnaire explained that ‘SAMDev’ refers to the system by which Shropshire Council determines where, how many and what type of houses are built across the county and that each town or parish is given the opportunity to determine its preferred level of development.

The questionnaire carried the definitions of the different designations as follows: Community Hub: Further large scale private, open market development within & around one large village is encouraged Community Cluster: Further private, open market development around settlements such as the villages and hamlets of West Felton Parish Open Countryside: Further private, open-market development resisted. Future development limited to small scale and for specific rural themes, community or economic reasons on identified exception sites, extensions, conversions etc.

Housing need Q30. Do you agree with the current West Felton Parish designation as 'Open Countryside' for the plan period?

A total of 171 responses were received for this question with just 18 who disagreed with the current designation and they were asked to answer questions 31 and 32. Those who agreed with the current designation, were asked to move on to question 33.

Do you agree with the current West Felton Parish designation as 'Open Countryside' for the plan period?

No 18 (11%)

Yes 153 (89%)

57

Q31. What do you think the future planning objectives for housing development should be for West Felton Parish?

Two options were given: 1. Large scale development within and around West Felton village only (Community Hub) 2. Some development within and around the villages and hamlets in the parish e.g. West Felton, Queens head, Rednal etc. (Community Cluster) In the graphs below only those answers from respondents who selected ‘No’ for question 30 are represented. Fourteen (out of the 18 who answered ‘No’ in Q30) expressed an opinion on ‘Cluster’ and 13 on ‘Hub’.

9

8

8 7

6

6 5 Cluster

4 3 2

3

3

Hub

2

2 1

1

1

1 0 Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Don’t know

The graph shows that if the current designation was to be changed, the majority (ten vs four) of those who answered this question prefer the change to be to ‘Community Cluster’ but from Question 30 it should be noted that the vast majority of responses (89%) indicate a desire to maintain the current designation of ‘Open Countryside’.

58

Q32. What sizes or types of housing you think we need more of in West Felton Parish up to 2026? (Please tick either 'yes' or 'no' for each row).

It should be noted that multiple options could be selected in this question. As with question 31, only the views of those who selected ‘No’ in question 30 are represented.

The graph below shows some support for all the housing types suggested, except the larger dwellings. One/two and three bedroom properties and bungalows were most popular with ‘45 bedrooms’ selected by only one respondent.

14

13

12 10 10

9

8

7 6

6

5 4

4

Yes No

3 2

2

1

0 1-2 bedrooms

3 bedrooms

4-5 bedrooms

Bungalows

Sheltered housing / supported living

One additional comment was left: ‘We have more than enough.’

Affordable Housing, exception sites and prioritising local need In this section, the questionnaire set out some definitions as follows (summarised): Affordable Housing: Housing that is subsidised in some way for people unable to rent or buy on the open housing market. (Housing for key workers and shared ownership homes and the ‘build your own affordable home’ scheme for low cost home ownership).

Exception Sites: Are small sites solely for affordable housing which would not otherwise be released for general market housing.

Prioritising local people: Exception site policies can be utilised to assist local qualifying people before meeting the general housing needs of the wider community of Shropshire.

59

Q33. Will you or a member of your family be looking to buy an affordable house within West Felton Parish, now or in the next five years?

One hundred and seventy five responses were received.

Will you or a member of your family be looking to buy an affordable house within West Felton Parish, now or in the next five years?

Yes 19 (11%)

No 156 (19%)

The graph shows 19 responses where a member of the household will be looking for affordable housing in the next five years. Those who answered ‘No’ were then asked to move on to question 36. Those who answered ‘Yes’ were asked to give further details in the next few questions.

60

Q34. Whereabouts in the Parish should this house ideally be located?

The results for this question were filtered to show only the answers from those who answered ‘Yes in question 33.

18

16

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

0

People were asked to tick one box only. However, 21 replies were received from 19 respondents. The majority highlighted ‘West Felton’ as preferred location.

Q35. What size of Affordable House would best cater for your needs?

Again, the results for this question were filtered to show only the answers from those who answered ‘Yes in question 33.

Eighteen responses were received, some ticking multiple options.

12

11

10 8

7

6 4 2 2 0 0 1-2 bedrooms

3 bedrooms

Bungalows

Sheltered housing / supported living

One comment was received:- “4/5 bed”.

61

Q36. Do you think there is enough rental accommodation of the following sizes/types to meet the needs of West Felton Parish up to 2026?

The majority of respondents ticked ‘don’t know’ at this question. This could be because they would not, or do not, need to consider renting in the parish and this was reflected in a couple of comments left.

Is there enough rental accomodation in the parish?

120 100

97

92

89

93

90

80 60 40

Yes 28

34

28

29

23

20

24

36

33

10

No

19

Don't know

0 1-2 bedrooms

3 bedrooms

4-5 bedrooms

Bungalows

Sheltered housing / supported living

One comment referring to ‘Applewood Heights’ was left but it was not specific as to what was meant.

Response rates were as follows: Bungalows 147 Sheltered housing / supported living 148

1-2 bedrooms 151 3 bedrooms 143 4-5 bedrooms 136

Q37. Are you or a member of your household hoping to rent a house in West Felton Parish now or in the next 5 years?

Trying within the next 5 years

At present Yes 10 (7%)

No 161 (93%)

Yes 9 (6%)

No 133 (94%)

This question generated 171 responses for, ‘At present’ and 142 for, ‘… next 5 years’. As the graphs above show, there are only 10 who ticked ‘yes’ which possibly explains the high number of ‘don’t know’ responses in the previous question. The same trend is set to continue

62

throughout the next 5 years with only nine ticking ‘yes’. The vast majority of respondents do not rent and are not interested in renting.

Protecting special places Q38 How important is it that we protect our existing public open green/play spaces?

People were asked to give their views on the following areas: x x x x

x

Common at Grimpo Flaxpool Lane Green area at Alma Close Green area in Applewood Heights

Green/play area in Whispering Oaks Playing field opposite the Methodist Chapel

x

All of these areas received support with ‘very important’ being ticked the most, which can be seen in the graph below. The playing field opposite the Methodist Church received the most responses. A total of 180 people responded to that part of the question, with 174 stating that space is ‘very’ or ‘quite important’.

Response rates are as follows: Applewood Heights 165 Whispering Oaks 160 Playing field (Methodist Chapel) 180

Common at Grimpo 160 Flaxpool Lane 153 Alma Close 164

‘Not needed’ was only ticked once (Whispering Oaks playing field).

Very few comments were made but one mentioned that children are catered for well in West Felton and that space for the elderly/disabled should be considered. One respondent suggested converting the green space at Applewood Heights into parking to alleviate issues there.

Protecting existing public open green/ play spaces 180

158

160 140 120

113

111

109

108

Very important

92

100

Quite important

80

Not very important

60 40 20

24

20 50

30

25 60

33

33 50

13

Not needed

29 8

15 0

8 14 1

16 303

Don't know

0 Common at Grimpo

Flaxpool Lane

Alma Close Applewood Whispering Playing field Heights Oaks (Methodist Chapel)

63

Q39. Do you think that we need more green/play spaces like these?

Do you think that we need more green/play spaces like these?

No 58 (38%)

Yes 95 (62%)

One hundred and 53 responses were received. Over 60% of people would like to see more green/play spaces but over one third said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. No further suggestions or comment were invited regarding purpose or location, so this could be explored further here but may be worth investigating in a follow up.

Transport Q40. Please let us know which of the following transport services you and/or members of your household use.

People were asked to select all of the transport methods they, or members of their household, use and could choose from the following (response rates shown in brackets): x x x x x x

Gobowen railway, operated by Arriva Trains Wales (169) Local Taxi companies (158) Mobile Library Service, operated by Shropshire Council (147) No.70 bus from Oswestry-Shrewsbury, operated by Arriva (174) School bus to Corbett School, operated by Shropshire Council (142) Supermarket home delivery services e.g. Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco (151)

Two thirds of respondents use Gobowen railway service as well as the Oswestry-Shrewsbury bus service. Approximately half of respondents use private taxis. The school bus is only used by 19 respondents (households) in this survey which could be due to the age profile of the residents the survey responses cover. The Mobile Library Service does not appear to be well used among respondents.

64

Use of Transport Services 140 124

120

125

123

120 99

100 80 78

80 60

49

Use

52

49

Don't use

40 23

19

20 0 Gobowen railway

Local Taxi

Mobile Library Service

No.70 bus Osw-Shrew

School bus Supermarket home delivery

Q41 Where do you or members of your household generally go for the following services?

Dentist, Doctor and Hospital

Dentist 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Doctor 200

116

144

150 100

30 1

3

3

4

2

0

As shown in these three graphs, most people have their dentist and doctor’s surgery in Oswestry. The most popular hospitals are that of Shrewsbury and Gobowen. One hundred and seventy four responses were received for ‘Dentist’ and ‘Doctor’, 165 for ‘Hospital’

19

50

2

0

0

1

33 0

0

0

9

2

0

Hospital 129

150 100 50

39 1

51 18

4

6

0

65

Gym Most people indicated that, if they attend a gym, it is in Oswestry. Just 67 responses were received.

Gym locations 47

50 40 30 20 10

1

11

6

3

1

0

0

1

0

Library, Post Office, Shopping and Supermarket As the graphs show, these types of services are used over a wider geographical area, with members of the households venturing further afield for shopping and supermarket visits. The data indicated that the Post Office in West Felton is well supported.

Library

0

4

Chester

Telford

Stoke On Trent

Other

Supermarket

0

0

0

16

0

13 Other

Telford

Other

12

2

Stoke On Trent

Stoke On Trent

51

Chester

8

34

25

Wrexham

0

105

Gobowen

1

143

Shrewsbury

7

Telford

22 Wrexham

Gobowen

Shrewsbury

2 Oswestry

2

Chester

58

160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

West Felton

159

West Felton

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

0

Shopping

Oswestry

Oswestry

West Felton

0

4

Other

0

Stoke On Trent

0

Chester

0

Wrexham

1

Gobowen

7

Wrexham

9

Gobowen

20

Shrewsbury

40

Shrewsbury

60

Oswestry

80

140 129 120 100 81 80 60 40 7 20 0 West Felton

100

Telford

Post Office

95

66

Response rates were as follows: Library 110 Post Office 172

Supermarket 175 Shopping 175

Pub, Restaurant and other Social activities The graphs show the localities people use for social activities such as visiting pubs and restaurants. Whilst the pub in West Felton is more popular than those in other localities, for food and dining generates travel to Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

Restaurant 84 59

Pub

1 Stoke On Trent

Other

1

Telford

Wrexham

Chester

Gobowen

Shrewsbury

13

25

0 Other

0

Stoke On Trent

13

Telford

Wrexham

Gobowen

4

9

Chester

16

West Felton

0 Other

0

Stoke On Trent

Wrexham

4

Telford

Gobowen

Shrewsbury

Oswestry

4

Chester

27 2

6

34 36

Shrewsbury

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Oswestry

34 12

2

Other social

59

West Felton

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Oswestry

Response rates were: Pub 115, Restaurant 145, Other Social 73.

35

27

West Felton

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Education Just 58 responses were received but the data indicates that at least 61 residents whose views are represented in this questionnaire are in education. As the graph below shows, besides West Felton, Oswestry and Shrewsbury topped the list of localities for education. The questionnaire did not split out primary, secondary or higher education but this will no doubt have influenced the results.

Education 20 15 10 5 0

17

18

15 10 0

1

0

0

0

67

Work Eighty seven responses were received. At least 118 residents whose views are represented in this questionnaire are working. The work graph below shows there is variety in where residents work, with at least one response in each of the locations and the second highest number of responses in the ‘other’ category. Interestingly, the fourth highest number of residents, work in West Felton itself.

30

24

25 20

Work

27

26

18

15

9

10

6

5

2

5

1

0

Q42. How do you get there?

This question again gave a grid of multiple services and multiple transport methods and the Car is by far the most used mode of transport. There was only one tick for Dial-a-Ride in the whole of this question and it was against ‘Hospital’ (this is not shown in the graph). Response rates were as follows: School / college 51 Shopping 178 Supermarket 178 Work 87

Library 111 Post Office 169 Social trips (e.g. pub, restaurant) 154

Dentist 175 Doctor 177 Gym 64 Hospital 166

Car 200

167 170

164

150 100 50 0

Taxi 171 173

146 99 109

82

62 31

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

15

4

5

4 0

0

1

3

3

0

0

68

Bus 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Train 33

17

20 9

10

2

13 14

12 6

6

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

7 5 2

1

0

0

0

Walk 100 80 60 40 20 0

26 0

0

1

0

0

Cycle

82

11

1

0

4

14 13

1

7

3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

3 2

3

2 1

0

0

0

0

1

0

A high (though perhaps unsurprising) number of people walk to the post office. It is also apparent that the bus is often used to visit the doctor, dentist and hospital and this is in line with answers to earlier questions of the location of those services and the degree of use that residents put on the number 70 bus.

69

Q43. Which of the following destinations would you like to travel to and how frequently would you go there if you could?

This question was designed to only be answered for those occasions where own private transport is not available. Respondents with own transport were asked to move on to question 44, so answers were filtered to show responses ONLY from those who in question 57 ticked there is no car in the household.

No-one selected any destinations in ‘Most Days’. Manchester, Staffordshire and Wrexham were not selected for any of the frequency options.

Three respondents ticked ‘Oswestry’ in ‘1-3 days per week’ and one selected ‘Ellesmere’. In the ‘Once a week’ column, two respondents selected ‘Shrewsbury’, and one ‘Chester’ and ‘Oswestry’. In the ‘Less than once a week’ column, two respondents selected ‘Shrewsbury’. ‘Birmingham’, ‘Chester’, ‘Ellesmere’ and ‘Liverpool’ got one tick each for this travel frequency.

3

3

22 2

1

11

1

1

1

1-3 days per week

1

1

Once a week less than once a week

0

Q44. Is there enough information about transport in your area?

As the graph below shows, a significant proportion of those who answered this question (170 responses) feel there isn’t enough information about local transport options. They were asked in the next question to suggest where this could be improved.

Is there enough information about transport in your area?

No 49 (29%)

Yes 121 (71%)

70

Q45.If you have answered ‘No’ to Q44, where else should transport information be available?

Fifty seven responses were received in total, whereas only 49 answered ‘No’ in question 44. However, it is useful to show all responses. The graph below shows the locations where more information on local transport options could be made available. ‘My Hub’ refers to Shropshire Council’s offices and ‘Round and About’ to the parish magazine. All suggested places received some support, but clear favourites are the ‘Village Hall’, ‘Bus stops’, the ‘Village Shop’ and the ‘Parish Magazine’.

Where else should transport information be available?

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

42

39

36

33 20 11

10

10

8

5

11

In ‘Other’, three suggestions for ‘Online’ with links to transport sites were received.

Bus Services Although this was the general instruction at the beginning of the survey, respondents were specifically asked to answer these questions considering all the members of the household.

Q46. How often do you use the Arriva 70 bus service?

This question got 178 responses and multiple options could be ticked hence a total of 183 selections. ‘Daily’ or ‘Weekly’ scores just over 30%. However, nearly 70% is for ‘Rarely’ or ‘Never’. Looking at question 42, those who do use the bus, use it for a variety of purposes (shopping, medical care, social trips). It should be noted that like with question 18, although multiple options could be ticked to reflect others in the household, each option could only be selected once. Hence this question may not fully explore the situation.

How often do you use the Arriva 70 bus service?

100

84

80 60

46

43

40 20

10

0 Daily

Once / twice weekly

Rarely

Never

71

Q47. If you are a bus service user, what times of day do you use the bus?

One hundred and four responses were received with 132 selections. As the graph below shows, the bus appears to get most use in the middle of the day. Referring back to question 42, this daytime usage may tally with the purpose of the journeys as there were only six ticks to say it is used for work which would most likely be at the earlier and later times.

What times of day do you use the bus?

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

88

25

19

Before 10am

Between 10am-4pm

After 4pm

Q48. When you take the bus out of West Felton, how full of passengers would you say it normally is?

One hundred and thirteen responses were received. The majority of respondents reported that the bus is usually half or less than half full, five said that the bus was full.

How full is the bus?

60 50 50 38

40 30 20 20 10

12 5

0 Full

More than half full

Half full

Less than half Almost empty full

72

Q49. Would you like to see an extended bus service for new routes or times of service?

Would you like to see an extended bus service (new routes or times)?

No 68 (55%)

Yes 56 (45%)

One hundred and twenty four responses were received. The graph above shows that opinion is divided, with a slightly higher proportion stating their household does not require additional bus services.

73

Q50. If yes, please identify days and times, thinking about your outward journey from West Felton and your return to West Felton: Several suggested times were provided. The graphs below show the responses:

Weekdays before 9am 15

Weekdays after 7pm

12

10

6

7

7

5 0 Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

50 40 30 20 10 0

Return: No

39 29

1

0

Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

Saturdays before 9am 10 8 6 4 2 0

7

Saturdays after 7pm 8

6

50 40

41 33

30 20

2

10

2

1

Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

0 Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

Sundays before 9am 10 8 6 4 2 0

Sunday daytime 8

6 4

3

Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Return: No

28

2

2

Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

Bank Holidays 15

14

Sundays after 7pm

13

20

18 15

15

10

10 5

25

3

3

6

5

Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

5 0

0 Outward: Outward: Return: Yes No Yes

Return: No

One person commented that the suggested days/times did not accommodate a typical commute to work journey.

74

Response rates for the above information were as follows: Sundays before 9am - 11 Sunday daytime - 31 Sundays after 7pm - 19 Bank Holidays - 24

Weekdays before 9am - 20 Weekdays after 7pm - 42 Saturdays before 9am - 14 Saturdays after 7pm - 43

Cycle facilities Q51. Do you or a member of your household regularly use a bicycle?

Of the 171 people who responded to this question, just over one third regularly use a bicycle.

Do you or a member of your household regularly use a bicycle?

Yes 64 (37%)

No 107 (63%)

Q52. What do you think would make cycling more popular in West Felton?

One hundred and eighteen responses were received and they are shown in the graph below. Nine additional comments were received, mainly re-iterating support for these options; one suggested â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;organised cycling sessionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and several others mentioned the safety aspect of cycling locally (including speeding and excessive traffic).

What do you think would make cycling more popular in West Felton?

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

97 67

63 49

A dedicated cycle route to Oswestry

Improved cycle route More available signage information on local cycle routes

Cycle racks at key locations

75

Q53. Whilst riding your bicycle in the Parish, are there any things which make you feel unsafe?

Ninety eight responses were received. The chart below indicates that that those who cycle around West Felton recognise all of the suggested hazards, with speeding and larger vehicles making them feel particularly unsafe. A number of additional comments highlighted ‘loose dogs’, ‘crossing the A5’ and ‘badly parked cars’ as hazards to cyclists

What makes you feel unsafe when out cycling?

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

79 70

62 43

Large tractors and Oncoming HGVs taking up motorists leaving excessive road insufficient road space space

46

Overtaking motorists leaving insufficient road space

Pot holes in the roads

Speeding motorists

Train services Q 54. Do you or a member of your household catch the train at any of these stations?

The questionnaire gave options for ‘Daily’, ‘Weekly’, ‘Monthly’, ‘Rarely’ and ‘Never’. Only one Daily trip to Shrewsbury was registered. In addition just one Weekly trip to Gobowen and one Weekly trip to Stafford were registered. All journeys are shown in the graphs below and response rates were as follows: Gobowen – 167 Shrewsbury – 142

Crewe – 85 Stafford – 80.

Gobowen 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Shrewsbury

99

36

31 0

1

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

96

Crewe 80

0

0

1

72

80

67

60

40

0

1

Stafford

60

20

25

20

40 17 1

0

0

20

1

6

0

76

These results should be reviewed in conjunction with question 42 where it is obvious that train travel is limited amongst the households who responded.

Other stations, (used to travel from), were given as: Ludlow, Manchester, Wem, Wolverhampton (2), Birmingham (2), Chester (2), and Welshpool (3).

Q55. If there was a bus service from the parish directly to Gobowen station, how often would you or others from your household use it?

This question received 184 responses and investigates if Gobowen train station would be used more if there was a bus service connecting West Felton with the station. The graph below shows how this question was answered.

If there was a bus service from the parish directly to Gobowen station, how often would you or others from your household use it 100

89

80 60

45 36

40 20

12 2

0 Daily / most days

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

Never

However, it may also be useful to compare these answers with those where a respondent answered ‘never’ at question 54, thus indicating the level of ‘new’ passengers this service may yield. The graph below shows these responses and only two people selected ‘never’ for a second time.

Potential extra train users if a bus was available to Gobowen station 18

17

16 14 12 12 10 10 8 6 4 2 2 0 0 Daily / most days

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

Never

77

Q56. Please tell us whether you would support other improvements to local rail services: There is support for all of the suggested improvements, most markedly for the National Rail Service from Oswestry. Least support was registered around the ability to take bicycles onto trains, possibly as only 64 respondents identified themselves as regular bicycle users. It should be noted that it is already possible to take bicycles on trains, though booking is advised on Arriva Trains Wales as there are restrictions at certain times.

120

106

100 79

75

80 60 40

Yes, please 37 29

39

34 24

No, thank you 22

27

13

20

12

16

19

Not sure

10

0 Ability to take Better car Cycle storage at National Rail bicycles onto parking at local railway stations service from trains stations Oswestry

Subsidised fares

Response rates were as follows: National Rail service from Oswestry -134 Subsidised fares -108

Ability to take bicycles onto trains - 100 Better car parking at local stations - 112 Cycle storage at railway stations - 88

Car travel Q57. How many cars do you have in use within your household?

One hundred and seventy nine responses were received. The graph below shows that most of the respondents have one or more cars within the household. Only seven do not have a car.

How many cars do you have in use within your household?

90 78

80

72

70 60 50 40 30 19

20 10

7

3

0 None

1

2

3

4 or more

78

Q58. If you travel to work by car, how many miles do you travel in a typical week?

Three quarters of the 111 respondents indicate that someone in their household commutes to work.

Do you commute to work?

No 28 (25%)

Yes 83 (75%)

The distances reported are shown in the graph below. It is not known if this is the total for the whole household (if multiple members commute), or if it is the furthest distance any one of them travels.

If you travel to work by car, how many miles do you travel in a typical week?

20

17

15

13 11

14 12

10

10 6 5 0 0-20 miles

20-50 miles 50-100 miles

100-150 miles

150-200 miles

200-500 miles

Over 500 miles

Q59. If you work from home and use a car to travel to work appointments, how far do you travel on average per week?

Sixty six responses were received and 41 ticked that this question does not apply. This could be those who do work from home but do not travel to appointments, or it could be those who do not work from home or do not work at all.

For those who have answered this question, the most regular weekly distance is 50 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 100 miles (see chart below).

79

Homeworkers: How far do you travel to appointments?

50

41

40 30 20 10

7

10

2

3

3

100-150 miles

150-200 miles

200-500 miles

0

0 0-50 miles

50-100 miles

Over 500 Not miles applicable

Future priorities for West Felton parish This part of the questionnaire sought views on the broader aspirations of those in the household, as well as their thoughts on more targeted priorities.

Use of community funds Question 60 set out some suggestions for the use of community funds, explaining that these can become available from developer contributions on housing projects (known as either Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or Affordable Housing Contributions) and that some of these funds would be available for the Parish Council to use for identified community or infrastructure benefits.

Q60. To help prioritise projects, please tick each one according to how high a priority you think it should be: The graph below shows which priorities were deemed most important and which ones not so by those who responded (response rates below).

People without access to cars - 157 Safe off-road parking - 154 Traffic speed control measures - 153 Attracting Tourists - 152

Natural environment - 156 Children and young people -150 Disabled people - 155 Older people -157 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

78

99

89

85

80 63

50

43 25

38 27

21 3

1

46

38

42 40 27

19 1

58 42 40

1

4

9

13

68 49 17

18

Very high priority Quite high priority Not really a priority DefinitÄ&#x17E;ĹŻy not a priority

80

The graph above has some changes to the descriptions to make the chart easier to read: Where it mentions ‘natural environment’, this refers to improvements such as tree planting, hedgerow improvements, more habitats for particular species. The next four columns in the graph all refer to improving facilities/services for the target group at the bottom of the column. The ‘people without access to cars’ column refers to ‘improving transport options for people without access to cars’. The ‘safe parking’ column refers to the provision of such parking for intermittent use by residents. ‘Attracting tourists’ refers to ‘roadside measures to better welcome tourists into the parish/villages e.g. hanging baskets etc.’

The graph below indicates that ‘measures to make West Felton more attractive to tourists’ has the lowest priority.

In order to determine if any of the priorities are valued higher than others, we have combined the ‘very’ and ‘quite high’ columns and the ‘not really’ and ‘definitely not’ columns. The results are shown in the chart below.

160 140

128

128

127

137 126

120

105

100

100

86

80

66

60 40 20

49 28

22

28

31 20

53 Very/Quite High Not/Definitely Not

0

This indicates that the highest support was received for the ‘Improving services/facilities for Older people’, followed by the services/facilities relating to the environment, children, disabled people and people without cars.

81

Q61. If you had a magic wand and could change just one thing for the better in West Felton Parish, what would it be?

Well over one hundred comments were received. These have been reviewed and grouped together into categories, shown in the table below: Area for improvement Transport, Traffic and Speeding Pub/ Restaurant Facilities Restrict Development Develop a Parish Centre Village Maintenance/ Countryside Playing Facilities Dog Fouling Parking Improvements Broadband and Mobile School and Pre-school Footpaths and Cycling Promote Community Spirit

Number of comments 26 25 19 10 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 2

Two groups of comments stand out: those relating to ‘Traffic and Speeding’ and those relating to a ‘Village Pub/Restaurant’. The latter group of comments coupled with those about developing a Parish Centre indicate that there is enthusiasm towards measures that would create a community focal point or ‘heart of the village’, around a village green with shops, pub, restaurant and other community facilities. Although there is a pub in the Parish, the general sentiment is that this could be improved and be made more suitable for the whole community.

There were a number of comments against further development and this falls in line with the answers given in question Q30 – 35. However, there was one comment in favour of more development, particularly to achieve the much cited ‘village heart’.

82

Q62. If you only had £1,000 what one thing would you change?

Just over 80 comments were received and again upon review, it became apparent that they fell into a number of recurring categories and the table below shows this (the numbers in front of the category representing the number of comments in this group).

What would you change with a Magic Wand?

5 Walking and Footpaths

15 Village Maintenance

2 Cycle Paths 2 Village Hall

15 Speeding 8 Parking

6 Bus Shelter 8 Dog Bins and Fouling

2 Parking

8 Play Area and Young People

Several comments related to the issue of dog fouling were left but some also questioned if more bins would solve the problem. One suggested temporary hiring of a warden to issue on-the-spot fines for dog fouling.

The ‘village maintenance’ group of comments includes several about flowers, bulbs and hanging baskets but also includes those on benches and general tidying up of the village.

The other large group of comments relates to ‘speeding’. The ‘parking’ comments focussed particularly around the village centre.

Conclusions The data collected via the resident’s survey, the questionnaire for young people, the business survey and the pod voting exercise provides an evidence base with which to inform future community consultation and engagement, and to identify actions that can be taken to preserve and improve the parish for the future. This report provides an analysis of the resident’s questionnaire.

The response rate for the resident’s questionnaire was 31%, which is similar to the response rates seen in other parishes we have recently been involved with. Gender of the respondents was pretty evenly matched and the views of 403 people were taken into consideration in the responses, of those, 224 are over 50 and 165 are over 60.

The questionnaire sought to find out what people value and dislike about life in the parish of West Felton and some of the suggestions raised by local people indicate there are some ‘quick wins’ that could be achieved, such as: x Investigation of a bowling green facility x Improving or extending local recycling facilities x Addressing dog fouling concerns x Addressing speeding concerns x Providing more information about local transport options

83

Other more long term improvements which the results showed support for are: x x x

Investigate further bus connections and a national rail service from Oswestry Investigating a dedicated cycle route to Oswestry Investigating a ‘Village Centre’ with facilities

Respondents state that they particularly value the rural, countryside aspect of the parish and with nearly half of respondents being retired; it is perhaps not surprising that the increase in size and volume of traffic and parking facilities are amongst the biggest concerns if local employment RSSRUWXQLWLHV ZHUH LQFUHDVHG 6LPLODU UHVSRQVHV ZHUH UHFHLYHG LQ WKH µ3ODQQLQJ¶ VHFWLRQ ZLWK WKH PDMRULW\ RI UHVSRQGHQWV DJUHHLQJ ZLWK WKH FXUUHQW 6$0'HY GHVLJQDWLRQ RI µ2SHQ &RXQWU\VLGH¶ 7KHUH is only a small call for new housing (rented, affordable, owned or otherwise).

As with many issues affecting a whole community, some will agree, some will disagree. Hopefully the data in this report identifies those areas over which there is a slight difference of opinion and which would warrant further investigation with additional consultation, whilst also highlighting areas that have general community support/agreement.

84

West Felton Parish Youth Questionnaire Overview About 110 youth questionnaires were distributed through local schools to reach all 11-17 year olds in the parish. As a reward for completing their questionnaire, young people were issued with a ÂŁ5 voucher which could be redeemed at a variety of local leisure venues. Twenty Youth questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 18%.

Just 16 questions were asked and the responses are shown below. As with the residents questionnaire not all young people answered ALL of the questions. Where the number of responses was less than 20 this has been noted in the text.

Question Results Q1. Gender Of the 20 young people who responded 60% are female and 40% male.

Gender Male 8 (40%) Female 12 (60%)

Q2. Age There was a real spread of ages as can be seen in the table below.

Age 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Number of responses 1 2 4 5 1 3 4

85

Q3. What is the best thing about living in West Felton? (Please tick all those that apply)

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

What is the best thing about living in West Felton?

15

12

13

12

12

15 12

10 8 4 1

1

1

The young people particularly value the relaxed, friendly and countryside environment of the parish. They value the school, shop and playground facilities and particularly the carnival. With only one â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;voteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; each, the young people did not rate the local employment opportunities, leisure or community activities.

Q4. What is the worst thing about living in West Felton? (please tick all those that apply)

What is the worst thing about living in West Felton?

14

7

8 4

10

9

10 6

12

11

12

4

10

7 4

5 3

4

2 0

From the responses it appears that the young people in the parish find poor broadband and poor mobile phone signal and issue. More than half ticked that there is no local cinema. Similar to the residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s survey, the young people indicate there is an issue with speeding traffic.

86

Q5. What is your opinion on the number of houses in West Felton?

The questionnaire explained that more houses could lead to more facilities for young people and improved public transport but it could create busier roads and would reduce the amount of green space.

The majority felt that the number of houses is about right.

What is your opinion on the number of houses in West Felton?

20

15

10 3

2 0 More

Same

No opinion

Q6. Would you like more activities for young people in the village?

Opinion was divided on this question with only slightly more ticking â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Would you like more activities for young people in the village?

No 9 (45%) Yes 11 (55%)

Q7. If yes, what kind of additional activity do you want the most?

This was an open comments question and nine comments were received.

They were grouped as follows: Better Park 1

Rock climbing 2

Youth clubs 2

Sport 4

Outdoor Adventure 1

87

Q8. Would you use the following bus links if they were made available?

One young person did not answer this question. All suggested destinations received support with Baschurch being the most popular.

Would you use the following bus links if they were made available?

15

13 11

10 10 5 5 0 Baschurch

Ellesmere

Gobowen (for train station)

Shrewsbury (Battlefield)

Q9. How do you get to your place of education?

Nearly all of the respondents ticked that they use the bus, two travel by car and one walks.

How do you get to your place of education?

19

20 15 10 5

2 0

0

Cycle

Taxi

1

0 Bus

Car

Walk

Q10. How often do you cycle?

The responses to this question are shown in the graph below. It is clear that there is a great variety in the use of cycling. Only seven of the young people said they cycle on a weekly basis (or more frequently).

How often do you cycle?

8 6 6

6

5

4 2

1

1

1

0 Every day

2-3 times a day Once a week Once a month Less than once a month

Never

88

Q11. Would you use a cycle path to Oswestry?

Out of the 20 young people just eight said they would cycle to Oswestry.

Would you use a cycle path to Oswestry?

20

12

8

10 0

Yes

No

Q12 Would you use cycle racks in West Felton centre? (eg village hall, churches, playing field, shop, bus stops) Twelve young people (60%) said that they would use cycle racks if there were any in the village centre.

Would you use cycle racks in West Felton centre?

No 8 (40%) Yes 12 (60%)

Q13. Have you ever experienced parking congestion at the following places in the parish?

Sixteen young people answered this question. More than half of the respondents have experienced parking congestion and at all three locations, with the village shop being the worst.

Have you ever experienced parking congestion at the following places in the parish?

14

13

12 10 10

9

8 6 4 2 0 School

Village Hall

Village Shop

89

Q14. What would cause you to leave West Felton in the future?

All of the young people who answered this question (18) acknowledge that they will one day leave the parish.

Most indicated that this would be for education and/or work reasons.

What would cause you to leave West Felton in the future?

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

16 13

4 0 Further education (e.g. University)

Faster paced environment

More job prospects elsewhere

I wouldnt leave West Felton

Q15. If you had a magic wand and could change just one thing for the better in West Felton parish, what would it be?

One young person did not answer this question. The comments were so varied they have been included in full below. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

A skate park. A cycling route into Oswestry Cheaper prices at the village shop More woodland areas and nature walks Cinema No more building The litter around the park and village More schools eg secondary school; make the village bigger More local jobs available.

Bus route to Baschurch Make the play area bigger I would make the play area bigger for all ages of children More developed village, eg more facilities Too much speeding in the area! Put speed cameras into place.

More things to do for people my age More shops More carnivals/fetes etc Better surfaced and cleaner pavements The Broadband Have a pub in the village that was family friendly and did meals.

90

Q16. Is there anything else you want to say about West Felton Parish?

Just a few further comments were received (only eight young people answered this question) and these are shown below: x x x x x x x x

Add a local swimming pool in WF Make more parking for the shop and primary school There is not a lot to do for teenagers Need more community events Definitely needs better buses. Especially to Ellesmere/Gobowen More things to do for younger people. Other than that it is a good village Overgrown hedges along pavements Bike racks by shop/centre of village would be well used

Finally, one comment read ‘I am very happy living here’.

Conclusions The data collected via the resident’s survey, the questionnaire for young people, the business survey and the pod voting exercise provides an evidence base with which to inform future community consultation and engagement, and to identify actions that can be taken to preserve and improve the parish for the future. This report provides an analysis of the youth questionnaire.

No filtering was applied to any of the replies so the results show the choices of all twenty young people who took part.

The response rate was 18% and whilst this is lower than hoped, together with the residents and business surveys and the pod voting exercise with the local school, the data shown in this report forms part of a comprehensive consultation exercise.

The questionnaire sought to find out what the young people value and dislike about life in the parish of West Felton and the general aspects which are valued are in line with those highlighted by responses to the main resident’s questionnaire (the rural, relaxed feel of the parish). The young people of the parish appear to value the carnival greatly and in fact would like to see more such community events. They recognise that there will come a time they will move further afield for education or job reasons but the majority of the respondents doesn’t want to see the village developed too much.

Some of the suggestions raised indicate there are some ‘quick or medium term wins’ that could be achieved, such as: x Installing bike racks x Investigating a solution to the parking issues raised x Addressing speeding concerns x Investigating more services and facilities aimed at young people x Investigating further bus connections As with many issues affecting a whole community, some will agree, some will disagree. Hopefully the data in this report identifies those areas over which there is a slight difference of opinion and require further areas of probing with additional consultation, whilst also highlighting areas that have general community support/agreement.

91

West Felton CoE Primary School - ‘Pod’ Voting Session Overview ‘Pod voting’ is the use electronic voting devices to collect immediate quantitative feedback on a variety of multiple choice questions similar to that used in ‘Ask the Audience’ in Who wants to be a millionaire?

Results have been collected for years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The total results from the whole school are presented in graph form in this report. The results for each year are presented as a table.

Question 1 for the children was, “What colour is the grass?” to check that they understood how to use the voting pods to answer the questions. Hence the below analysis starts at question 2.

Question 2

What do you think of the main playground in West Felton?

50

44

40 30 19

20 10

2

2

Its rubbish

I don’t use this playground

0 It's good

Its OK

Year

What do you think of the main playground in West Felton?

It’s good 3 4 5 6

14 17 8 5

It’s OK

3 2 5 9

It’s rubbish 2 0 0 0

I don’t use this playground 1 0 1 0

92

Question 3

What do you think of the Whispering Oak playground in West Felton?

40

32

30 20

10

11

11

It's good

Its OK

Its rubbish

10 0 I don’t use this playground

Year

What do you think of the Whispering Oak playground in West Felton?

It’s good 3 4 5 6

It’s OK

It’s rubbish

3 2 4 2

2 3 6 0

6 1 3 0

I don’t use this playground 5 14 1 12

Question 4

Do you or have you used Rednal's Skate Park, the Kart Track, Paintball or Hovercars?

Yes 21, 33%

No 42, 67%

Year Do you or have you used Rednal's Skate Park, the Kart Track, Paintball or Hovercars?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 2 5 8 6

15 14 5 8

93

Question 5

Do you use Oswestry Library?

No 15, 23%

Yes 50, 77%

Year Do you use Oswestry Library?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 11 16 10 13

6 4 4 1

Question 6

Do you walk along the footpaths through the fields in West Felton?

Yes 28, 44%

No 36, 56%

Year Do you walk along the footpaths through the fields in West Felton?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 5 7 7 9

12 12 7 5

94

Question 7

Do you walk along the canal path?

Yes 39, 62%

No 24, 38%

Year Do you walk along the canal path?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 11 9 8 11

4 11 6 3

Question 8

What do you like most about using the footpaths and the canal path?

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

42

7

7

Fresh air

Peace and quiet

9

Wildlife

Views

Year

What do you like most about using the footpaths and the canal paths?

Fresh air 3 4 5 6

1 0 2 4

Peace Wildlife and quiet 3 10 0 19 3 7 1 6

Views

3 1 2 3

95

Question 9

Do you feel safe when walking around West Felton?

No 8, 13%

Yes 54, 87%

Year Do you feel safe when walking around West Felton?

Yes

No

3

15

1

4 5 6

16 12 11

2 2 3

Question 10

Do you feel safe when travelling to and from school?

No 7, 11%

Yes 57, 89%

Year Do you feel safe travelling to and from school?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 14 17 13 13

3 2 1 1

96

Question 11

Are there problems with parking around your school?

No 16, 25%

Yes 49, 75%

Year

Yes

Are there any problems with parking around your school?

No

3 4 5 6

10 16 9 14

7 4 5 0

Question 12

What is your main method of transport?

60 50

48

40 30 20 7

10

8 1

0

Bus

Taxi

0 Car/Van

Bike

Walk

Year What is your main method of transport?

3 4 5 6

Car/van 14 15 6 13

Bike

Walk 2 1 3 1

Bus 1 3 4 0

Taxi 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0

97

Question 13

Do you use a bike where you live?

No 12, 20%

Yes 49, 80%

Year

Yes

Do you use a bike where you live?

3 4 5 6

No 11 14 12 12

5 3 2 2

Question 14

Would you and your family use a cycle path to Oswestry?

Yes 22, 34%

Yes No No 43, 66%

Year Would you or your family us a cycle path to Oswestry?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 3 10 4 5

14 10 10 9

98

Question 15

Would it be good to have bike racks

by West Felton village shop?

No 8, 13%

Yes 56, 87%

Year Would it be good to have bike racks by West Felton village shop?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 14 16 13 13

3 3 1 1

Question 16

Are buses available to you where you live?

No 14, 22%

Yes 50, 78%

Year Are buses available to you where you live?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 15 10 11 14

2 9 3 0

99

Question 17

Do you use the bus to Oswestry?

Yes 11, 17%

No 53, 83%

Year Do you use the bus to Oswestry?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 2 5 2 2

15 14 12 12

Question 18

Do you use the bus to Shrewsbury?

Yes 20, 31%

No 44, 69%

Year Do you use the bus to Shrewsbury?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 7 7 4 2

10 12 10 12

100

Question 19

Do you want to live in the West Felton area when you grow up?

Yes 30, 47%

No 34, 53%

Year Do you want to live in the West Felton area when you grow up?

Yes 3 4 5 6

No 13 6 4 7

4 14 9 7

Question 20

What do you like most about West Felton?

25

22

20

17

15 10

10 6

6

4

5 0 Playgrounds

School

Open nature Peace and spaces quiet

Year

What do you like most about West Felton?

3 4 5 6

Friendly people

Playgrounds

School

0 4 1 1

4 2 3 8

Annual Carnival

Open nature spaces 3 1 1 1

Peace Friendly Annual and people carnival quiet 0 6 4 12 1 0 8 1 0 2 2 0

101

Question 21

What do you like least about West Felton?

20 15

17 13

13

12

Bad car parking

litter

10

10 5 0 Speeding traffic

large vehicles that fill the road

Year What do you like least about West Felton?

3 4 5 6

Speeding traffic 2 5 5 1

dog mess on the pavements

Large vehicles that Bad car fill the road parking 0 3 4 6 3 1 3 3

Litter 3 5 2 2

Dog mess 9 0 3 5

Question 22

If you could choose something new, which of the following would you most like to have in West Felton parish?

30

25

21

20 10

8

6

4

0 More play equipment

BMX

Slower traffic

Year Group If you could choose something new, which of the following would you most like to have in West Felton parish?

3 4 5 6

More play equipment 0 4 2 0

Better car parking

BMX

Slower traffic 8 7 5 1

0 5 3 0

Something else

Better Something car else parking 2 7 1 2 1 3 0 13

102

Conclusions The pod voting sessions done with year 3, 4, 5 and 6 involved 67 children.

Below a list of main findings from the pod voting session: x

x x

x x x

x

x

x

The majority of children rate the main West Felton pay ground as ‘good’ but the Whispering Oak playground appears much less used. Only a third of children have also used Rednal’s Skate Park, the Kart Track, Paintball or Hover-cars.

Over three quarters of the children use Oswestry Library.

Just over half of the children do not use the area’s footpaths. Nearly two thirds of the children do walk along the canal path and the most popular reason for walking the footpaths and canal path is the wildlife.

The vast majority of children feel safe when walking around West Felton but 8 (13%) say they do not.

This picture is much the same for travelling to and from school.

The vast majority of children travel to school by car and 75% think there is a problem with parking around the school.

Eighty percent of the children said they use a bike but only 34% think that they (and their family) would use a cycle path to Oswestry. The vast majority of children think it is a good idea if there were bike racks by West Felton village shop.

Over three quarters of children say they have a bus available where they live but the vast majority (83%) do not use the bus to Oswestry. The bus service to Shrewsbury is slightly more popular with only 69% saying they do not use it. Twenty children say they do (31%) Opinions about living in West Felton when they grow up are divided with 47% ‘yes’ and 53% ‘no’.

Children rated ‘Peace and Quiet’, ‘the school’ and ‘friendly people’ the highest when asked what they like most about West Felton.

Opinions about the least liked aspects of life in West Felton are also divided with all of the suggestions getting some support (Speeding traffic; Large vehicles that fill the road; Bad car parking; Litter and Dog mess on the pavements) with Dog mess getting a small majority vote.

When asked in a final question, what they would like if they could choose something new for West Felton, a third of the votes (21) came back for BMX. However, even more chose ‘Something else’ (25).

Prior to the Pod Voting session the school held a brain storming session with a number of children as part of their Learning Circle Managers meeting and the table on the next page, although not put together by ALL of the pod voting participating children, gives an insight in what this ‘Something Else’ may be.

103

What do you want in our parish?

Youth club for 10-14 yrs Italian restaurant Another couple of clubs- Girls Guides Floating restaurant Tennis courts Marked football pitch

Lake for fishing Viewing point- near canal, castle Mechanics/ garage

Better bus service- in evening & use double decker at peak times Boat rides on canal- like Llanymynech Maps of all the good walksleaflets at shop. Road signs overgrown Girl Guides Parking improvements Better hours at shop/Post Office (more post office days), longer evening hours in summer Community café-village centre day time Garage- fuel Multi use games area

Expand village shop Activity centre with crafts & different activities – rooms for games etc.

Football or Tennis or Rugby

Brown signs to advertise activities in WF

More park equipment- old part needs upgrade, bright paint etc Pots of flowers- outdoors More benches

Bus stops upgrade More car parks Tidy up Remembrance monument Take away shop Age Concern - community links with youth More bins (litter and dog mess) Put on map More money for community projects – e.g. caring circles Fine people for not picking up after their dogs Map of West Felton Parish at shop Nature walk on map

104

West Felton Parish Plan 2014 Business Survey Analysis Report Last Updated: July 22, 2014

105

Table of Contents – Business Survey Page 1

Introduction ................................................................................................................ ................ 107

2

General..................................................................................................................... ................... 108 2.1

Employees & Vacancies ..................................................................................................... . 108

2.2

Target Market ............................................................................................................. ........ 109

3

Your Future Business ........................................................................................................ .......... 109 3.1

Grants .................................................................................................................... .............. 109

3.2

Networking................................................................................................................ .......... 109

3.3

Broadband................................................................................................................. .......... 110

3.4

Childcare ................................................................................................................. ............ 111

3.5

Support & Advice .......................................................................................................... ...... 111

3.6

Recruitment ............................................................................................................... ......... 111

3.7

Training & Apprenticeships ................................................................................................ . 112

3.8

Support Services .......................................................................................................... ....... 114

4

Likes & Dislikes about Being a Business in West Felton ............................................................. 114 4.1

Likes...................................................................................................................... ............... 114

4.2

Dislikes .................................................................................................................. .............. 115

5

Transport................................................................................................................... .................. 115

6

Crime ....................................................................................................................... .................... 116

7

General Comments ............................................................................................................ ......... 117

8

Conclusions ................................................................................................................. ................ 117

9

What Happens Next? .......................................................................................................... ........ 117

10

Contacts ............................................................................................................... ....................... 118

11

List of Participating Businesses ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 119

12

List of known publically registered businesses in West Felton …………………………………………….. 123

106

Introduction In addition to creating the West Felton Parish Plan 2014 for households, the Parish Plan Committee decided it would also enable local Businesses, including the Self Employed, to voice their opinions about running a business in the Parish.

A team of us put together a questionnaire template which we thought would cover the majority of subjects relevant to businesses in a rural community such as ours. Although we recognise that we didn’t know all of the right questions to ask, we left many opportunities to express free views.

Our main objective was to gather information and to act as facilitators between the businesses, Shropshire Council and other potential service providers so that going forward businesses are able to be aware of and fully utilise the products available to them, such as grants, apprenticeships, training etc. We want to open communication channels between the businesses and Shropshire Council business departments.

We asked about the good things for businesses in this area and also the bad.

As a Committee, we can’t make any promises that improvements will be made but it is our intention to notify the appropriate departments about any grievances or requests for improvement.

So how did we compile our list of businesses?

This was no easy task! There is no single database which can be used as a reference. We started with Companies House and downloaded information from almost 1 MILLION Limited companies into a spreadsheet. Next we extracted by post code before arriving at a grand total of 38 businesses!

Unfortunately we later found that not all of these are still active.

Next we “trawled” through different business directories such as Yell, Thomson and 192. This proved more fruitful and eventually we arrived at a grand total of 128. As we progressed we came across additional businesses and also identified that several on our original list no longer traded. In all we believe there to be in excess of 100 businesses operating from West Felton Parish.

An advertisement was included in two editions of the Round and About West Felton magazine offering businesses to contact us if they wished to participate in the fact gathering process. Alas this returned a grand total of zero responses / From our list of 100 we made contact with approximately half asking if they would participate by completing our questionnaire. We received 33 completed questionnaires which we believe equates to around one third of the businesses in the Parish.

Their views follow…

107

General Employees & Vacancies The vast majority of businesses operating in the Parish can be classified as small, employing between 1 and 4 people.

Employees

1 to 4 (82%) 5 to 15 (9%) 15 to 50 (6%) 50+ (3%)

58% declared that they are operating at full capacity with 42% stating that they are operating below.

When asked if they had recruited any staff over the last 12 months, 33% said they had and 67% answered â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;?. The declared number of staff recruited during the last 12 months was 26.

When asked if they expected to have any vacancies over the next 12 months, 30% said that they did:

Vacancies in next 12 months 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes

No

Unsure

108

Target Market 24% of organisations said that they sell/provide goods/services overseas, 70% said that they didn’t, 3% were unsure and the remainder abstained.

Your Future Business Grants When asked if they would like to receive information on grants available for business development, 70% answered “yes” and 30% “no”. ¾ The list of businesses that chose to receive information relating to grants will be passed to <The Business & Enterprise Team at Shropshire Council>.

Networking Businesses were asked if they felt they would benefit from networking with other organisations and answered as follows: 70% 60% 50% 40% Yes 30%

No Did not answer

20% 10% 0% Other businesses in Other local businesses Other specialist your sector generally professional groups e.g. HR Managers

109

Broadband The availability of superfast [fibre optic] broadband was overwhelmingly endorsed. When asked if it would improve their future performance, responses were:

Would superfast broadband improve future performance?

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes

Maybe

No difference

Don't use broadband

¾ UPDATE! Extract taken from ‘connectingshropshire’ website: Work has begun in the next 25 exchange areas to benefit from the £24.6 million Connecting Shropshire programme. On Friday 7th February, partners Shropshire Council and BT today announced more details about the areas where people will be able to start accessing faster fibre broadband over the next 14 months.

The exchange areas are:

Queens Head

According to this statement made back in February 2014, the Queens Head exchange upgrade should be achieved by no later than April 2015.

110

Childcare When asked if they were aware of any difficulties that employees have with finding affordable childcare, the responses were:

Aware of problems finding affordable childcare?

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Yes

No

Unsure

Support & Advice We asked if over the last 12 months businesses had received any general support or advice regarding the day to day running or longer term development. Support/advice had been sought from the following: x x x x x

Bank Manager Accountant NFU Tax Office Business Advice Centre relating to Employment Law

Comments were also made that businesses faced too much red tape.

Recruitment On the subject of recruitment 58% said that they were able to recruit the right type of employees locally, 18% said they were not and 24% indicated that the question was not applicable to them.

Comments in this area included: a. No problems recruiting sales staff but difficult to recruit specialised technicians. b. Trained nurses sometimes difficult to recruit due to the rural location.

111

When asked what skills were difficult to find, the following were mentioned: a. b. c. d. e. f.

Qualified pool/spa technicians Graphic designers Telecoms experts – wiring/installation Website developers Traditional building repairers Old paint & metal work skills

Asked if finding suitable employees was difficult, 42% responded “yes”, 33% “no” and 25% indicated that the question was not relevant to them. Comments made for this question included: a. b. c. d. e. f.

Quality office/administration staff have been difficult to find.

Difficult to find local people for farming.

Plumbers, electricians and builders often provide unreliable feedback.

Sometimes difficult to find people to work unsociable hours.

Some people lack the drive and ambition to care about their work.

Some people are not interested in hard, physical and often dirty work with limited wages.

Training & Apprenticeships 39% of businesses said they would like to have more training available for employees:

Would you like more training available?

45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Yes

No

No answer

Types of training required were listed as: a. b. c. d.

Spraying, chain sawing etc.

Use of traditional material and techniques in building renovation/repairs.

Customer Service management.

Local area wood work/forestry.

112

e. Electrical work specific to petrol stations. f. Old paint and metal work skills. g. Specialist software courses. ž The list of businesses that chose to receive information relating to more local training for employees will be passed to <County Training at Shropshire Council and Walford & North Shropshire College>.

Asked about awareness of the main elements and different types of apprenticeship programmes, responses were:

Are you aware of apprenticeship programmes?

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes

No

Unsure

No answer

ž The list of businesses that chose to receive information on apprenticeship programmes will be passed to < County Training at Shropshire Council >.

One business made the following comment: a. The modern version of the apprentice is for the most part pitiful and degrading.

113

Support Services A question was included asking the organisations which additional support services they had heard of, the response was:

Support Service 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Business grants administered by SC

Shropshire business portal

Shropshire business directory

Metnet

Marches Local Enterprise Partnership

SC = Shropshire Council, Metnet = Marches Environmental Technology Network

Likes & Dislikes about Being a Business in West Felton Likes Businesses were asked about the good aspects of being located in West Felton Parish and answered as follows: x x x x x x

30% commented on the good networking, communication and support amongst local residents.

27% enjoyed the pleasant and quiet atmosphere of a rural environment.

27% commented on the good road network, particularly the A5.

18% liked the affordability of goods and services in the area.

6% enjoyed the close proximity to where they lived.

6% commented on the good access to local firms.

Other comments worthy of a mention: a. b. c. d.

Reasonable broadband access.

Good proximity to Manchester/Birmingham airports.

Plenty of space.

Good local magazine for advertising in.

114

Dislikes Businesses were asked about the things they disliked about being located in West Felton Parish and answered as follows: a. Broadband speed caused the most concern with 21% saying that they were unhappy with it.

Refer to section 3.3 for the latest update. b. 15% are unhappy with the telecom/mobile phone service in the area. c. The condition of the roads registered a few comments: 12% are unhappy with the mud and dust on the roads.

3% are concerned with access onto the A5.

3% commented on uneven and narrow roads.

3% stated that better road signage is required.

3% are concerned about “racers” on the roads.

A specific mention was made about the road between Queens Head and Rednal.

Other comments worthy of a mention: a. Dissatisfied with the increase in population in the Parish affecting faming and the need to transport from field to farm. b. Unreliable power supply. c. The Parish is a “bit remote” for customers.

Transport The question was asked about whether or not organisations experience any problems with transportation to/from their business: 80% 70% 60% 50% Yes

40%

No 30%

N/A

20% 10% 0% Problems getting products in/out

Problems for staff

115

Comments made about transport were as follows: a. If the A5 is closed it is difficult taking large vehicles down country lanes. b. Lanes are becoming very busy. c. Access to farms is difficult for large vehicles. d. Access along [Oak Farm] lane is sometimes blocked by parked cars. e. Some lanes require resurfacing. f. Roads are often muddy/wet and uneven. g. Too often, accidents at Queens Head or on the A5 cause delays with access to Rednal Industrial Estate. h. The road from Queens Head to Rednal requires improvement as it is uneven and too narrow in sections. i. Narrow sections of the road between Queens Head and Rednal should have speed restrictions. j. [Threadneedle Street] can sometimes be difficult for delivery vehicles to access the nursing home. k. Irregular public transport. l. Limited evening public transport has an impact on recruitment if unable to drive. m. No bus service to Rednal Industrial Estate. This would be very useful as mentioned by 75% of those businesses based on the Industrial Estate. n. Rednal Industrial Estate was not made to accommodate articulated lorries.

91% said that there was sufficient space for staff to park at work. The remaining 9% did not answer.

82% said delivery space was sufficient, 6% said it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. The remaining 12% did not answer.

Crime When asked if there were any crime issues for their business locally, responses were:

Is crime an issue?

70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes

No

No answer

116

Comments in this area included: a. b. c. d. e. f.

Concerned about leaving things in vehicle due to recent break-ins locally in West Felton.

Petty vehicle theft/break-ins.

Scrap metal stolen.

Some shed burglaries.

Recently, wheels stolen off a car in a neighbouring unit on the Rednal Industrial Estate.

More security required at the Rednal Industrial Estate.

General Comments a. Objection to the proliferation of housing development in West Felton. b. It would be useful to have contacts who are knowledgeable of West Felton Businesses and Council facilities. c. Thank you for your interest and effort.

Conclusions For such a small Parish there is a thriving business community covering all manner of business types.

In addition to requests for support in grants, training and apprenticeships, some valid issues have been raised in areas such as broadband, general road conditions and lack of public transport to the Rednal Industrial Estate. We hope that this survey will help give priority to resolving some of those issues.

The West Felton Parish Plan Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the businesses that contributed to this plan. We sincerely hope that some good comes of it.

What Happens Next?

For those businesses that requested additional information on the following subjects, your contact details and completed questionnaire will be passed to the appropriate Council department: x x x

Grants Training Apprenticeship programmes

Likewise, any businesses that specified obstacles for the future development of their business will have those obstacles reviewed to establish if anything can be done to help.

Those businesses which requested to receive a summary of our findings should now be reading this report.

Completed questionnaires will also be reviewed by West Felton Parish Council to determine if there are any issues which they may be able to address, either directly or by passing concerns on to the appropriate authorities. x x

Issues relating to the A5 will be passed onto Highways Agency.

Public transport issues, particularly to Rednal Industrial Estate will be discussed with Arriva.

The following section contains contacts of persons/departments that are there to help support you, so please do contact them when necessary.

117

Contacts For enquiries about grants loans and incentives for business in Shropshire, contact: Business and Enterprise Team at Shropshire Council, Web: www.shropshire.gov.uk/business-support Email: business@shropshire.gov.uk Tel:

01743 252596

To receive information on Training, contact: County Training Website

www.shropshire.gov.uk/county-training

Email:

countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk

Telephone:

0345 6789023

Walford & North Shropshire College Website: www.wnsc.ac.uk Email: enquiries@wnsc.ac.uk Telephone: 01939 262100 Harper Adams College College Website: www.harper-adams.ac.uk Email: servicedesk@harper-adams.ac.uk Telephone: 01952 815555 To receive information on Apprenticeships, contact: County Training Website

www.shropshire.gov.uk/county-training

Email:

countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk

Telephone:

0345 6789023

West Felton Parish Council: Website: www.2shrop.net/westfeltonparishcouncil Parish Clerk: Ian Hutchinson Tel: 01743 850504 Email: iahutchinson@btinternet.com Shropshire Council: Corrie Davies, Community Action Officer, Tel: 01691 677306 Email: ARRIVA: Website: Telephone: TANAT VALLEY: Website: Email: Telephone:

corrie.davies@shropshire.gov.uk www.arrivabus.co.uk 0344 800 44 11 (Customer services) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Shrewsbury Manager Andy Pearce www.tanat.co.uk info@tanat.co.uk 01691 780212

118

Love Timber Ltd

Shropshire Pools & Spas Ltd

Skyshots Ltd

Stenwood Ltd

T.H. Nicholas & Son

Sutton Mortgages Ltd

TJ Cladding Design & Consultancy Ltd

Claire's Scool Of Motoring

T.J. & C.C. Coles

The Court Nursing & Residential Home

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Anna Prichard

Carol Coles

Paul Davies Jenny Davies

Edward Nicholas

Edward Nicholas

David Inns

David Kelsall

Tracy Roberts

22 Orchard Drive West Felton SY11 4LX Oak Farm West Felton West Felton SY11 4LE

Nesscliffe House The Cross West Felton SY11 4EH 37 Applewood Heights West Felton SY11 4RA 11 School Road West Felton The Malt House Felton Park West Felton SY11 4HJ Sutton Farm West Felton SY11 4HX Sutton Farm West Felton SY11 4HX Lilac Cottage Rednal SY11 4HT

01691 610626

01691 610046 07515 287123 07947 640938

01691 610230

01691 610230

07712 580031

01691 610140 01743 235081

thecourt@akaricare.co.uk

clairerobbins.adi@hotmail.co.uk

jenny.davies@tjcladding.com

edwardnicholas@freeuk.com

edwardnicholas@freeuk.com

david.inns@tiscali.co.uk

dh.kelsall@btopenworld.com

tracy@spaslimited.co.uk

The following is a list of the West Felton Businesses which participated in this Survey

Farming, Horse Breeding & Livery Care Home & Nursing

Driving School

Industrial Cladding & Roofing

Financial Services

Agriculture

Engineering Design Consultancy I.T. Consultancy

Pool & Spa Installation, Maintenance, Equipment, Chemicals

Joinery & Furniture

119

R.L. Jones & Son

A.St.J. Williams

Woodhouse Farm & Estate

West Felton Stores Ltd

Queens Head Pub

Brian Owen Painter & Decorator

Ace Carpets

Chimes Cakes

D & E James Accountancy Services

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Duane James

Mrs Gillian Sturgess

Scott Smith

Brian Owen

Niamh Baynham

Tom Norton

O. Mostyn-Owen

1 Old Rectory Garden West Felton SY11 4QE Oaklea Woolston Road West Felton SY11 4LB

Lythwell Farm West Felton SY11 4LD Red House Woolston Road West Felton SY11 4LB Woodhouse Estate Woodhouse Rednal West Felton SY11 4HP The Cross West Felton SY11 4EH Queens Head SY11 4EB Marches House The Cross West Felton SY11 4EH 5 The Willows Fox Lane West Felton

01691 610908

01691 610255 01691 610335 07961 057068 01691 610003 07710 595221 01691 611811

07973 478993

info@ukpayrollservice.com

gillian.sturgess@chimescakes.co.uk

owen@gotadsl.co.uk

queensheadshrops@aol.com

Payroll Business & Book-Keeping

Bespoke Cakes & Cupcakes For All Celebrations

Supply & Installation Of Carpets, Vinyls & Safety Flooring

Painting & Decorating

Pub Restaurant

Village Store

Property Management, Farming, Forestry

Farming

Farming

120

Avery Cleaning Services

Louise Jones Hairdresser

Granitecraft

Rednal Karting

Cambrian Powder Paints

Oz Loos

North Shropshire Timber

Chris Nangle Furniture

Rednal Paintball

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Lizzie Stuart

Chris Nangle

Andrew Hinton

Steve Lock

D. Drury

Lizzie Stuart

Mike Hammond Heather Walker

Louise Jones

Brent Avery

19/26 Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS Unit 8 Rednal Ins Est West Felton SY11 4HS Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS

7 Alma Close West Felton SY11 4QF Nesscliffe House The Cross West Felton SY11 4EH Unit 195 Rednal B Ins Est West Felton SY11 4HS Rednal Airfield West Felton SY11 4HS Unit 200 Site B Rednal Ind Est SY11 1DW Unit 21/22 Rednal Ind Est SY11 4HS

07989 471307

01691 772904 01691 773151 01691 610570

01691 610596

07974 144105 07968 566925 07989 471307

01691 610208

sales@rednalkarting.co.uk

sales@rednalkarting.co.uk

info@granitecraft.co.uk

brent@averycleaningservices.co.uk

Outdoor Paintball Arena

Furniture Manufacturer

Saw Mill & Joiners Shop

Portable Toilet Supply

Powder Coaters

Outdoor Karting Track

Manufacture Of Granite & Stone Surfaces

Hairdressing

Window Cleaning

121

D & R Forecourt Services

Wrigleys Aircooled

Academy Skate Park

Vandweller Sculpture

Nord Automotive

29

30

31

32

33

Nikoly Dimkov

Mr. C. Wright

Rory Williams

Unit 3C Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS

Unit 3 Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS Unit 12 Site A Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS

Unit 29 Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS Unit 20 Rednal Ind Est West Felton SY11 4HS

07523 780909

01691 610733 07725 233126 01691 610822 01691 570777 07970 897526 01691 570777 07970 897526

Vehicle Mechanic

Chainsaw Carving & Caravan Restoration

Leisure Activity

Restoration & Unique Fabrication

Work On Petrol Stations, Electrical & Engineering Services

122

THE STABLES SUTTON FARM CHURCH BARN WOOLSTON ROAD 15 ORCHARD DRIVE 7 APPLEWOOD CLOSE WEST FELTON TEDSMORE HALL TEDSMORE TEDSMORE HALL TEDSMORE ASHLANDS SANDFORD LILAC COTTAGE REDNAL SCHOOL HOUSE OAK FARM LANE 14 APPLEWOOD HEIGHTS 2 OLD RECTORY GARDENS HIGH HOUSE SANDFORD TEDSMORE HALL, TEDSMORE 3 THE HAWTHORNS

ABLEC ELECTRICAL LIMITED

ARTHUR PARRY (FARMERS) LIMITED

BILLY BIFF LTD

DALHOUSIE CASTLE OP CO LLP

DALHOUSIE CASTLE PROP CO LLP

DES EVANS (STEEL FABRICATION) LIMITED

DIRT PRO LIMITED EMPLOYER VISION LTD ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS (SHROPSHIRE) LIMITED

FARR BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED FIONA WHITTINGHAM LTD GUYZANCE ESTATE LIMITED

HAWTHORNS ESTATE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED

BILL CORK CARPENTRY & JOINERY LIMITED

Address Line1

Company Name

QUEENS HEAD

WEST FELTON WEST FELTON WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON WEST FELTON WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

REDNAL, WEST FELTON

Address Line2

SY11 4QE SY11 4EX SY11 4HD SY11 4FB

SY11 4HT SY11 4JR SY11 4RB

SY11 4HD SY11 4HD SY11 4EY

SY11 4RD

SY11 4LX

SY11 4JU

SY11 4HX

01691 610713

01691 611671

PostCode Telephone

The following is a list of all known, publically listed West Felton Businesses

123

5 THE HAWTHORNS 3 THE COURTLANDS GRANARY BARN IVY HOUSE FARM GARDEN COTTAGE NESSCLIFFE HOUSE SUTTON FARM UNITS 1-4 THE STABLES, SUTTON FARM THE OLD BARGEHOUSE 37 APPLEWOOD HEIGHTS 11 SCHOOL ROAD LAWLEY THE MALT HOUSE, FELTON PARK SUTTON FARM, REDNAL, WEST FELTON TEDSMORE HALL TEDSMORE HALL TEDSMORE LILAC COTTAGE REDNAL OLD FARM BARN OLD FARM BARN

HUMM-BUSTERS LIMITED IGWPOWER LTD

INDUS RECORDS LTD.

IVY HOUSE ENTERPRISES LTD JAMES UNETT EQUINE SERVICES LIMITED

LOVE TIMBER LIMITED

RIVERSIDE HOLDINGS LIMITED

SHROPSHIRE PADDLESPORT CLUB SHROPSHIRE POOLS AND SPAS LIMITED SKYSHOTS LIMITED

SPIRETECH LIMITED STENWOOD LIMITED SUTTON MORTGAGES LTD

TEDSMORE DEVELOPMENTS LLP

TEDSMORE LLOYD DEVELOPMENTS LLP

TJ CLADDING DESIGN & CONSULTANCY LIMITED

VETRI SCIENCE OSWESTRY LTD

VSL LABORATORIES LIMITED

FOX LANE WEST FELTON

FOX LANE WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

TEDSMORE

WEST FELTON WEST FELTON OSWESTRY

QUEENS HEAD WEST FELTON WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

THE CROSS, WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON TEDSMORE WEST FELTON

FELTON PARK WEST FELTON

SY11 4JU

SY11 4JU

SY11 4HD SY11 4HD SY11 4HT

SY11 4EB SY11 4RA SY11 4HH SY11 4EQ SY11 4HJ SY11 4HX

SY11 4HX

SY11 4EH

SY11 4JP SY11 4HD

SY11 4HJ

QUEENS HEAD SY11 4FB THREADNEEDLE SY11 4LE STREET

01691 610818

01691 610818

01691 610046

01691 610131 01691 610230

01691 611888

124

IVY FARM 9, School Rd 1, Orchard Drive 3, Orchard Drive 22, Orchard Drive 12, Bishops Close Oak Farm 7, Alma Close West Felton C Of E School The Old Fox Studio, Holyhead Road 69, Applewood Heights Threadneedle St The Manor 32, Applewood Heights Fields Cottage (Evans) 90, Applewood Heights Hollies Bungalow The Old Malthouse

WEST FELTON SUPPLIES LIMITED Tony Williams (painters & decorators)

Building Revolutions (builders) Eco Dog Co Ltd (pet supplies) Claire's School Of Motoring (driving schools)

A & M Garden Services (garden services)

T.J & C.C Coles (farmers) rAccountancy (accountants) West Felton Pre School (playgroups & pre-school)

CMS Video (TV, film & video production services)

Colin Leddington (painters & decorators)

The Court Residential & Nursing Home (nursing homes)

R.L. Jones & Son (farmers) Phil Jones Photography (general photographers)

G R Lewis Arboricultural Contractor (tree surgeons)

Applewood Landscapes (fencing services)

Enter Shropshire (entertainment agencies)

JMB Block Management (property management)

West Felton

West Felton

West Felton

West Felton

West Felton West Felton

West Felton

West Felton

West Felton

West Felton West Felton West Felton

West Felton

West Felton West Felton West Felton

WEST FELTON West Felton

SY11 4JU

SY11 4JU

SY11 4RB

SY11 4RD

SY11 4LE SY11 4RB

SY11 4LE

SY11 4RA

SY11 4EN

SY11 4JR SY11 4QF SY11 4JR

SY11 4LY

SY11 4JP SY11 4HH SY11 4LX SY11 4LX SY11 4LX

0844 5863252

07731 122630

01691 611827

07565 771665

01691 610247 01691 610766

01691 610626

07980 144587

07808 103737

01691 610225 01691 610208 01691 610895

07706 424865

07863 555316 01691 610522 07947 640938

01691 610657 01691 610942

125

Rednal Farm Haughton , 4 Berrywood Top Farm, Hen Barns Woodhouse Hawkswood Farm High House Sandford House Farm

PN & SR Williams & Son (farmers) D N Edwards (steel erectors) A.H & J.G Royle & Son (farmers)

D.J Edwards (farmers) Woodhouse Farm & Estate (farmers) R.W & J.I Faulkner (farmers) N.W.L Whittingham (farmers) H.R Whittingham & Sons (farmers)

Haughton Rednal Rednal Sandford Sandford

Rednal Haughton Rednal

Haughton Rednal

Haughton Farm Keepers Bridge

H Hampson (farmers) Capers (caterers)

Sandford

Tedsmore

South Barn, Sandford Court

Honey Communications (fitted furniture)

West Felton West Felton Grimpo

Tedsmore Hall

Sutton Farm Sutton Farm Holly Cottage

Train 4 Care Ltd (educational services) T.H Nicholas & Son (farmers) The Cleaning Co Shropshire Ltd (commercial cleaning)

Woolston West Felton Sandford

Guyzance Hall Ltd (self catering holiday accommodation)

Red House 1, Aston Moors Fields Cottage (Evans)

A.St. John Williams (farmers) Edwards V & W (dairies) Mark Evans Construction (builders)

West Felton

Tedsmore

The Cwms

D.I Ryder (pest & vermin control services)

West Felton

Tedsmore Estate (farmers)

3 Milloon Gardens

Sandra Speck Line Dancing (dancing schools)

SY11 4HF SY11 4HU SY11 4HT SY11 4HF SY11 4HU SY11 4HE SY11 4HP SY11 4HR SY11 4EX SY11 4EX

SY11 4HD SY11 4HD

SY11 4EX

SY11 4HX SY11 4HX SY11 4HL

SY11 4LB SY11 4LA SY11 4EY

SY11 4EW

SY11 4EW

01691 610283 01691 610303 01691 610278 01691 610433 01691 610266

01691 610203 01691 610747 01691 610213

01691 610233 07791 576679

01691 611011

01691 611012

0845 1306066

0845 6431433 01691 610230 01691 610525

01691 610319 01691 610676 01691 610489

01691 610585

07884 180833

126

3, Old Rectory Gardens White Cottage The Twyfords Red House, Woolston Road Old Cottage Oaklea, Woolston Road 1 Old Rectory Gardens

G K Flooring (flooring services) D & E James Accountancy Service/UK Payroll Service

Engineering Inspiration

1, The Court Courtland Milnecroft

5, The Willows 81, Applewood Heights

6, Nursery Close 11, The Willows

Chime Cakes (cake makers) Mrs M K Manford & Partners (haulage) The Twyfords (dairy farmers) Albert St Hohn Williams (livestock breeder)

Ace Carpets (carpet shop) Price Waste Services (haulage) Shropshire Council Hamilton School Of Motoring (school) Extreme Bykesportz D I Ryder (fruit producers)

The Old Bakehouse

D Price Upholstery (upholsterers) West Felton Post Office Brian Owen (painter & decorator) A J Plumbing (plumber) Chop & Chip (tree surgeon) West Felton Memorial Hall (function room) Marches House

2 Criftins

Old Cottage

C&J Maintenance (domestic maintenance & repairs)

The Punch Bowl West Felton Stores The Queens Head H2O Clear Exterior Cleaning Services (window cleaners)

West Felton

West Felton West Felton

West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton

West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton

Queens Head West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton West Felton

Queens Head

West Felton West Felton Queens Head Queens Head

SY11 4QE

SY11 4EG SY11 4LB

SY11 4JX SY11 4RA SY11 4JR SY11 4JU SY11 4LE SY11 4EW SY11 4QE SY11 4JN SY11 4JN SY11 4LB

SY11 4ED SY11 4EH SY11 4EH SY11 4EH SY11 4LZ SY11 4JX

SY11 4EE

SY11 4EH SY11 4EH SY11 4EB SY11 4EG

01691 611811

07734 245086 01691 610908

01691 611811 01691 610978 01691 610204 01691 610319

01691 610003 01691 610978 01691 610388 07776 322841 01691 610927 01691 610585

01691 610153 01691 610220 01691 610335 07010 055840 01691 610191 01691 610400

01691 610591

01691 610201 01691 610220 01691 610255 07734 245086

127

Address Line1 UNIT 10 SITE A4 REDNAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE UNIT 9N REDNAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, REDNAL UNIT 9 REDNAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, REDNAL BUILDINGS 25 UNIT 10 SITE A4 REDNAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE Unit 9e, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 17, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 205, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 195, Rednal Industrial Estate Site B, Rednal Industrial Estate Site A, Rednal Industrial Estate Building 5, Rednal Industrial Estate

BENEFICIAL CONTRACTS LIMITED

HILLIAN DESIGN LTD

NORLOG (UK) LIMITED

QUICKFREIGHT SERVICES LIMITED

SALVOR PROJECTS LIMITED

Black (furniture repair & restoration)

M J Engineering (motor sports)

Peter Thomas Upholstery (furniture repair & restoration)

Granitecraft (granite suppliers)

Taylors & Lee (plastering & screeding) APTT Ltd (driving school) Rednal Garage (garage services)

4 Woodhouse Drive

PO Box 173

Company Name

Rednal Businesses

Globe Paper Systems CAS Estates (estate agents) Team Building & Fun Near Birmingham Bench Memorials

SY11 4JY SY11 4HE SY11 4HS SY11 4HS

Rednal Rednal Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

REDNAL

REDNAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, REDNAL

WEST FELTON

WEST FELTON

REDNAL

Address Line2

West Felton Haughton Rednal Rednal

SY11 4HS SY11 4HF SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

01691 661830 01691 610631 01691 610466

01691 610550

01691 880770

01691 610677

01691 881289

01691 610431

01691 611631

PostCode Telephone

01691 610111 01691 610558 01691 611897 01691 611864

128

Rednal Airfield Unit 200, Site B, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 15, Rednal Industrial Estate 4, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 1, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 26, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 8, Site A, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 19-26, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 8, Rednal Industrial Estate Unit 196, Site B, Rednal Industrial Estate Rednal Airfield Smithy House Rednal Airfield 196 B, Site B, Rednal Industrial Estate 196 C, Site B, Rednal Industrial Estate Rednal Industrial Estate

Rednal Carts Racing (karting) Cambrian Powder Paints (powder coating)

Martin Howard Furniture (furniture manufacturers)

Clear Your Waste (recycling) Ozloos Portable Toilet Hire (portable toilets)

Oswestry Body Repairs Ltd (car body repairs)

Circle Joinery (carpenters & joiners)

North Shropshire Timber (timber merchants)

Chris Nangle Furniture Design (furnitue manufacturers)

D.R Jebb & Sons (road haulage services)

Hoverdays (outdoor pursuits) Academy Of Professional Transport Training Ltd

Rednal Paintball Arena Seens Design Ltd

Stephen Sustad

Walker Driving Skills, Skid Control Training

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal Rednal

Rednal Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal

Rednal Rednal

Rednal

Rednal Rednal

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HT SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS SY11 4HT

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS

SY11 4HS SY11 4HS

07779 451666

01691 610700 0208 1338657

01691 611897 01978 311333

01691 610667

01691 611864

01691 610570

07725 691243

01691 610949

01691 778918 01691 772904

01691 610013

07989 471307 01691 610596

129

REPORT FROM CLUBS AND SOCIETIES SURVEY Sixteen completed questionnaires were received. Clubs and Societies in the village cover all age groups from Mothers and Toddlers to The Feltonians (a small group of pensioners who meet weekly).

Name of Group Mother & Toddlers

No: 20

Likes Facility at Chapel Hall warm, adequate storage

MD Warriors

30 +

Rainbows

8

WI

42

Garden Club

18

Walking Club

8/10

Thriving activity group, children enthusiastic, parents glad to have somewhere for their children to learn social and self-defence skills Happy group – activities for girls aged 5-7. Like the venue and the booking secretary Women’s group for friendship, skills, talks, social issues etc Village Hall fine as venue Not just a garden club – have participated in community schemes around the village. Chapel Hall just right size for our group Our co-ordinator Liz is excellent at introducing us to countryside walks

Flexors

23

Whist

15

Happy Fit Pilates

10/15

Short Mat Bowls

17

Badminton Club Table Tennis Club Methodist Chapel

6/8 8 6

Activity Group for older people. Good hire facility in V.Hall /now have good storage. Would like instruction in how to use Hearing Loop Meets during the winter – enjoyed but need more participants Pilates Class – V.Hall clean, spacious and warm. Key facilities good Social game meeting Fridays during Winter months

Village Hall ideal.

Great Village Hall. Self-funded Christian presence – for caring, support, hope, and prayer.

Dislikes Lack of sufficient parking and volunteers No parking at V.Hall, would like more time Would like Youth Club Need storage ideally and notice board Car park for village hall Numbers falling away -

We could do with more members and somewhere to have a coffee or lunch

Parking problems – could arrangement be made with Publican to hire space on an annual basis Need more members Need more members

130

St Michaels with Chad

50

12th Century tradition – historic building to maintain. Excellent links with CofE Primary School. Arrange weddings, baptisms, funerals. Spiritual guidance and hope to develop the church building for wider use by the community

Feltonians

9

Royal British Legion

20/70

Social Meeting – play games and chat.

Good companionship and friendship although few of us.

Service Charity. Support members of armed forces, veterans and families.

Organise Poppy Appeal locally

Little support offered from local community especially young families. People like to have an historic building for ceremonial purposes but do not support its weekly life Need more members and volunteers to help elderly with transport

Although all these clubs and activities continue – most have recurring themes. x x

More members would be welcome to enable them all to flourish and continue.

Parking provision would be most welcome for the Village Hall, Chapel and School.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Non-Parish Plan Steering Group Assistance A very considerable amount of time has been given freely to this project by Parish Plan Steering Committee, most of which is recorded below. However thanks are also due to: West Felton Village Hall Committee for allowing free use of the hall for the initial Parish Plan meeting in March 2013.

‘Round and About West Felton’ Parish Magazine distribution staff for collation and delivery to residents of the residents’ questionnaire and the summary of findings.

131

Community Volunteer Time, Freely Donated to the West Felton Parish Plan Project From the initial Parish Plan meeting of March 2013, which was attended by 85 local residents a total of 15 people came forward to work with a Parish Plan Steering Group (PPSG). The first meeting of the PPSG was held later that month. Later a further 2 people came forward to help. Since the PPSG began their work, they have met at least once a month and each meeting has lasted on average 3 hours.

There have been 22 meetings in all. It is planned that a further number of meetings be held, on a quarterly basis, in order to chase up and track progress made on the issues raised by the Parish Plan.

During the process of the Plan’s progression, for a variety of personal reasons, 5 of the volunteers had to curtail their participation. Their help was appreciated and in some cases very valuable, prior to their involvement diminishing. Some, whilst unable to attend meetings, still kept up with the progress of the plan through e mail communication and continued to play a valuable role.

The remaining 12 members of PPSG did the great majority of the ongoing work associated with the plan. This was far greater than originally anticipated because of the detail and quality members clearly wanted to press into the research and final Parish Plan document. Also and very significantly, the amount of time which was devoted by volunteers to West Felton’s, democratically popular resistance to the over-development of the Parish, in terms of new housing development applications. This resulted from the unfortunate position Shropshire’s Planning Authority were placed in, due to the implications of its temporary inability to prove Central Government’s requirement for a 5 year housing land supply, an issue explored earlier in this document, but too complex to explain here. In short this matter alone took an inordinate amount of work by several volunteers, in research, liaison with relevant bodies, preparation of relevant arguments and presenting the Parish case to the Planning Committee.

All members were asked to keep a record of their time devoted to the Parish Plan. These are recorded below in summary form, from the individual personal records of the 14 members who have forwarded their volunteer time logs.

Planning and Research 141 40 16 15 48 24 28

Questionnaire Planning and preparation

Meetings including Steering/RCC/Liaison

60 22 24 4 9 28 6 7 24 7 3

Total hours from responding volunteers

93 38 60 57 60 44 32 42 42 6 51 30 5 12

Publicity/logistics/Admin 203 14 45 8 12 25 66 10 20 12

Total 497 114 129 85 81 112 86 115 100 6 106 45 5 12 1493

132

APPENDIX 1

West Felton Parish Enviroment Report - 2014 History 1.

West Felton is mentioned in the Domesday Book and had strategic importance following the Norman invasion, which was demonstrated by the construction of a small motte and bailey castle on land belonging to Roger de Montgomery in the late 11th century, adjacent to St Michael’s Church. (English Heritage, 2000) There is earlier aerial evidence of Saxon habitation that probably made best use of West Felton’s high ground, which provided a good defensive position. Possibly the Romans were here before the Saxons; the Eardiston Copper Mine located on the parish border near Lane End may have been first been mined by them. There is evidence of human habitation here for at least 2000 years.

2.

Queens Head By 1851, the parish consisted of the townships of West Felton, Haughton, Rednal, Sandford, Sutton, Tedsmore, Twyford and Woolston; and apart from a

few changes would have been very similar to today’s parish boundary. Agriculture has always been at the heart of the local economy but due to the parish’s location it became an important local transport hub, where over time, the Montgomery Canal, Holyhead to London turnpike road and railway all met. Queen’s Head developed as a small canal port with an agricultural wharf, coal wharf, limekilns, sand quarry and glassworks. A tunnel, known as “Donkey Tunnel” ran beneath the Rednal road connecting the sand quarry to the canal. (Shropshire County Council, 1996). In 1853, a “daily packet boat service”, brought passengers and freight from Newtown to Rednal Station along the Montgomery Canal. Also related to the railway and canal was a bone and manure works which was built next to Rednal basin. The Eardiston Copper mine consisted of a 700m long body of ore at depths of between thirty to sixty metres. The ore is found along a geological fault line that runs from Elbridge, through Eardiston and to Tedsmore. The mined ore was transported to Liverpool using the canal via Queen’s Head wharf, and later on the railway via Rednal station.

Queen’s Head Toll House

Rednal Station

Ground investigation around Eardiston Ͳ Bateson, 1982 1

APPENDIX 1 In 1942 an RAF base was opened at Rednal and an ‘Operational Training Unit’ for Spitfire pilot training was based there. The airfield consisted of three runways, eleven hangers, cinema, hospital, flight simulator, aerial reconnaissance section and fire station. Following DͲDay in 1944, casualties were flown in for treatment at nearby hospitals. The airfield was no longer

required by June 1945 and was sold off in 1962.

Over the last few decades there has been rapid development around West Felton and Queen’s Head where businesses, gardens and open land has been developed for housing. This change has reduced the services of a community that once boasted garages, shops, bakers and several pubs

Spitfire Landing at Rednal

Rednal Control Tower 1945

Notable Historic Features 3.

The parish contains fortyͲfour listed buildings, the majority of these are grade two listed. These buildings add character to the parish and are an important part of its history. These buildings are related to agriculture, the Montgomery Canal and are linked to significant residences such as Tedsmore Hall, but there are no listed buildings related to past industries located at Queen’s Head. Details of each listed building can be found in Appendix 1.

The Motte Castle adjacent to St Michael’s Church in West Felton, is registered as an ‘Ancient Monument’ by English Heritage.

“The motte castle is a wellͲpreserved example of this class of monument, which has been subsequently adapted both to prolong its military role and as a possible prospect mound. The archaeological investigation has provided significant information about the monument's construction. The motte will retain buried evidence relating to the nature of occupation and the types of structures

built upon its summit. Organic remains preserved within both mounds, in the buried ground surfaces beneath them, and within the ditches, will provide valuable evidence about the local environment and the use of the land before and after the motte castle was constructed. The importance of the monument is further enhanced by its association with the neighbouring 12th century church.” English Heritage Website

Currently the Motte is isolated on private land and some members of the community do not know that it exists. There was interest expressed in the residents survey to undertake a community project related to the Motte. This could involve researching it origins, improving its condition and making it more accessible to the community.

Local residents within the survey expressed their view that West Felton Parish’s historic sites are a particularly important part of its heritage and character, and should be protected for future generations.

2

APPENDIX 1 Research Recommendations:

Ǧ Review the current Listed Buildings list Ǧ Consider if other any historic sites require protection Ǧ Develop a community project around a historic site

Rights of Way Footpaths & bridleways 4.

The parish has many registered footpaths that intersect country lanes, providing access for the public to experience the countryside and its views. These footpaths are well spaced throughout the parish, but there are issues with accessing some routes. Due to budget cuts the county council no longer assesses rights of way and many of the parish’s footpaths are not maintained, with

crops and hedges growing across them, and stiles in disrepair. Most paths have stiles that make them inaccessible to some members of the community. The A5 and the railway have even cut a few marked footpaths in two. The parish only contains a few short sections of bridleway that are either isolated or provide links between roads.

Country Lanes The parish’s quiet country lanes provide good access routes across the parish and link through to Ellesmere, Baschurch, Ruyton XI Towns and Knockin. Apart from Rednal Road, only local & agricultural traffic use these lanes, so they are ideal for walking, cycling and horseriding. Special attention should be given to reduce speeding traffic, especially large agricultural vehicles, to ensure the lanes can continue to be used by all. Both the youth & resident’s surveys identified speeding traffic as a major annoyance and detrimental to their enjoyment of the parish.

Local people believe that footpaths and quiet country lanes are especially important

features of the parish. 90% of respondents to the resident’s survey want footpaths protecting and 81% want quiet country lanes protected.

The survey also identified a demand for local footpath maps and improved footpath accessibility.

Improved access to local footpaths could be partially funded by Shropshire Council but this work would have to be community driven with the active participation of local residents.

Research Recommendations

Assess current footpath accessibility. Ǧ Clear footpath routes of vegetation and encourage local landowners to clear routes through crops. Ǧ Carry out repairs to existing stiles and install kissing gates to improve access to all. Ǧ Develop a circular walk and local route maps.

3

APPENDIX 1

Natural Landscape 5.

West Felton parish falls within the Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain National Character Area. In general terms, it is an area of flat or gently undulating pastoral farmland with notable sandstone ridges, ponds and meres that have glacial origins.

The ponds and meres have over time been colonised by vegetation, which created areas of bog, which are known as mosses. (Natural England, 2014) The parish has several areas of bog / wetland around the Montgomery Canal and River Perry, most notably Baggy Moor.

The parish is characterised by small to medium sized fields with a network of country lanes linking the villages and hamlets.

Arable and pasture farmland cover much of the parish and are divided by mature hedgerows, ditches and small pockets of woodland. The River Perry in the north and the Montgomery Canal in the west, border West Felton parish.

Shropshire Council’s Local Landscape Character Assessment, divides the parish into six distinct areas, these can be viewed in Figure 2.

Below is a brief description of each landscape and further information can be found within “The Shropshire Landscape Typology”, document referenced below.

Research Recommendations:

Principal settled farmland: Ͳ Lowland, small to medium irregular field shapes with varied soil types.

Settled pastoral farmlands: Ͳ Small to medium sized irregular field shapes with heavy, often poorly drained soils.

Enclosed lowland heaths: Ͳ Rolling lowland with sandy soils with occasional semi – natural heathland.

Estate farmlands: Ͳ Gently rolling lowland with soils made up of glacial deposits and is some of the best agricultural land in the county.

Sandstone Hills: Ͳ Outcrops of ruddy Triassic sandstone, on which the overlying soils are sandy and free draining.

Lowland Moors: Ͳ Flat, low lying, wetland landscapes with formations of fen peat. Some areas have been drained for arable cultivation.

(Shropshire Council, 2006)

This natural landscape is enjoyed by local people and is one of primary reasons for living within this parish. 92% of the residents’ surveyed identified the local countryside and environment as their favourite aspect of living within this parish.

In order to preserve and improve this much loved natural landscape the parish council and local community should endeavour to undertake the following actions.

x Discover and collect information about West Felton Parish’s natural assets x Protect & manage the natural assets x Create & expand these natural assets

The following sections outline the current status of the parish’s natural assets with suggestions on how they could be further protected, managed and expanded.

4

APPENDIX 1 Hedgerows & Verges The mature hedgerows that flank many of the parish’s lanes and fields are a distinctive feature that provide a diverse habitat and enhance the character of the parish. Mature deciduous trees, shrubs and flowering plants provide an important habitat for insects, birds and small mammals, which also use hedgerows to travel across the parish to other important habitats such as woodland and the Montgomery Canal.

Hedgerows face threats such as illͲtimed and too frequent cutting, close cultivation, fertilisers and pesticides. A particular issue within West Felton parish is the damage caused to verges by large vehicles turning and passing on the small lanes, which undermine the hedges and cause root damage. Further information about the preservation of hedgerows can be found in the Shropshire Hedgerow Habitat Biodiversity Action Plan 2009.

Research Recommendations x Assess current condition of hedgerows & verges x Work with the landowners to promote hedgerow management

Trees There are many mature deciduous trees within West Felton parish, many of which are located within the hedgerows and areas of parkland such as the Tedsmore Estate.

Trees contribute to the landscape, character and biodiversity of the parish, as well as reducing pollution and the impact of flooding. The most notable tree within the parish is the Dovaston Yew located within the ‘Nursery’ in West Felton and John Dovaston planted this tree around 1777.

The copper beech tree under which traffic enters West Felton village is another notable tree. There are 166 Tree Preservation Orders

(TPO) within the parish all of which are located within West Felton village, these may have been created as a requirement prior to residential development. Details of all TPOs can be viewed in Appendix 2.

Trees in the parish face similar threats as the hedgerows from farming practices, damage to lane verges caused by passing heavy vehicles, climate change, pests and diseases such as ash die back. Many mature trees fell during the recent bad weather and all these threats and natural processes are more significant where there is no new tree planting taking place.

Research Recommendations: x A tree inventory should be established and record tree age, species, size and condition. This information can be assessed to determine the risks posed to local trees and a management plan established to ensure a solid tree stock.

5

APPENDIX 1

Agriculture 6.

Much of West Felton parish’s land is Approximately a third of the parish’s land is intensively farmed for the production of currently within the government crops such as wheat, maize and root ‘Environmental Stewardship’ scheme, which vegetables. Livestock are grazed on small promotes environmental conservation and fields and areas of parkland spread across improvement by providing farmers with the parish. The parish’s land class varies funding and advice. A map showing the between Grade 2 and Grade 4; a map land covered by the scheme can be seen in showing these variations can be seen in Appendix 5.

Appendix 4.

The Environmental Stewardship scheme aims to: x Look after wildlife species & their habitats x Ensuring that land is well managed and retains traditional character x Protect historic features and natural resources x Ensuring traditional livestock & crops are conserved x Provide opportunities for people to visit and learn about the countryside

Designated Areas Montgomery Canal Aston Locks – Keepers Bridge, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 7.

This SSSI runs along a section of the Montgomery Canal that forms the northerly border of the parish. It was notified in 1986 as being one of the best localities in Shropshire for aquatic plants, and demonstrated succession from open water to reed Ͳ swamp and fen, and it is a complimentary site to the meres of North Shropshire. (Natural England, citation 1986)

The SSSI’s current condition is less than the targeted “favourable condition” due to the

difficulty of conserving rare aquatic and margin plants. Diffuse pollution poses a significant risk and Natural England is working on a “Diffuse Water Pollution Plan”.

The current aim of Natural England is to gain “improving” status by establishing off channel reserves and pools such as those around Aston Locks, which would allow the aquatic plants to be relocated or manually translocated. These activities are critical to the status of the SSSI, especially due to increasing boat traffic.

Research Recommendations: Natural England identified the following actions that would assist in securing the SSSI, these include; x Help with the management of new off channel reserves x Volunteers to assist with clearance of invasive plant species and scrub x Additional signage along the canal

6

APPENDIX 1 Extent of the SSSI (blue area)

River Perry & Baggy Moor The River Perry and Baggy Moor make up part of the ‘Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme and Nature Improvement Area (NIA)’. This NIA is one of twelve in the country that were identified by 8. the government in the ‘Natural Environment White Paper’, June 2011. The meres and mosses landscape consists of water and peatͲ land sites such as Baggy Moor. These areas of low wetland formed after the last ice age and are home to important insects, plants and

birds. The scheme will provide landowners with support, advice and grants related to farming best practice and wetland & habitat management.

More information can be found at http://www.themeresandmosses.co.uk.

Currently Shropshire Wildlife Trust is producing the River Perry Plan that will provide additional river management information.

Wildlife & Biodiversity 8. The rural countryside location of West Felton parish means that there are a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are protected species. Local wildlife records taken from within the parish are sparse, although information can be found from the ‘Shropshire Ecological Data Network (SEDN) run by Shropshire Council and some wildlife protection organisations hold their own datasets. Shropshire Wildlife Trust recommends that the Parish Council, businesses and the local community adopt a ‘precautionary principle’, towards all

activities undertaken within the parish, such as development, and anticipate the likely impact to wildlife. A list and map of the species identified in the SEDN records can be viewed in Appendix 3. The species identified within the records are indicators of the types of habitat that can be found locally and these can be viewed in Figure 5.

Local biodiversity is linked to a small number of different habitats found within the parish.

Many notable species such as Common Snipe, Lapwing, Northern Water Vole and 7

APPENDIX 1 habitats. These habitats should be carefully managed to ensure they are protected. Many animals and birds identified in the SEDN records have been identified as ‘Biodiversity Priority Species’, which are known to be at risk and require conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP).

orchids are found in the areas of wetland fen / bog and standing water which are all located within the parish. These areas are located in the north of the parish, adjacent to the canal and River Perry. The Mere and Mosses Nature Improvement Area (NIA) project highlights the importance of such

Northern Water Vole

Southern MarshͲOrchid

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/waterͲvole

Many of the animals recorded have their own ‘Species Action Plan’ (SAP), which highlights risks and recommended management to assist with their continued presence within the parish. These SAP’s can be found at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pageͲ5717.

To allow animal populations to be sustained it is important that they can travel between habitats along ‘Wildlife Corridors & Stepping Stones Areas’. ‘Wildlife corridors’, are areas of semiͲnatural habitat, which allow free movement of species and ‘Stepping Stones’,

are small semiͲnatural habitats located near to corridors. With much of the parish being utilised for farmland it is important that such areas are protected and enlarged to sustain local biodiversity.

Shropshire Council has identified the parish’s corridors, which include watercourses, the railway and A5 verges, which connect areas such as Tedsmore Estate, Baggy Moor and Aston Locks SSSI. The extent of these corridors can be seen in Figure 4.

Research Recommendations: x Carry out a habitat mapping exercise x Review current habitat management best practice x Build effective relationships with local landowners to promote / enhance the local environment x Develop a habitat management plan x Protect and expand current habitats including ‘Wildlife Corridors & Stepping Stones

8

Figure 1: Ͳ Listed Buildings within West Felton Parish

APPENDIX 1

9

Figure 2: Ͳ Landscape Character Mapping of West Felton Parish

APPENDIX 1

10

There are seveeral other importaant environmental sites, which can be seen below.

Figure 3: Ͳ County Wildlife Sites

APPENDIX 1

1 11

Several unim mproved and semiiͲ improved we etland meadows

Grid ref Ͳ SJ3 333260)

Cupids Ramb ble (SJ32.03)

Area of unim mproved meadows and swamp

Grid ref Ͳ SJ3 386261

Henbarns Moor (SJ32.16)

Area of rough pastures and biirch woods.

Grid ref Ͳ SJ3 347273)

Rednal Mosss (SJ32.05)

Figure 4: Ͳ Wildlife Corridors & Stepping Stones of West Felton Parish

APPENDIX 1

12

APPENDIX 1

13

APPENDIX 1

References Bateson, 1982 ‘Geochemical reconnaissance in the Cheshire Basin’, Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Rep. Inst. Geol. Sci., No. 52, pp. 1Ͳ13 Rednal Airfield Photography http://www.airfieldͲsite.co.uk/page/history_and_heritage

Shropshire County Council (1996), Salvage Recording During Phase 2 of the Montgomery Canal Restoration. www.shropshirehistory.org.uk/html/resource/resource:20110503152433

West Felton Motte, English Heritage Website http://list.englishͲheritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1019296 Shropshire Council (2006), “The Shropshire Landscape http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/221958/theͲshropshireͲlandscapeͲtypology.pdf

Typology”

Local Landscape Character Assessment – Data.gov.uk

Natural England (2014), National Character Area Profile 61: Shropshire, Cheshire & Staffordshire Plain. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6076647514046464?category=587130

Shropshire Hedgerow Habitat Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/environment/biodiversityͲandͲecology/shropshireͲhabitatͲactionͲ plans/

Montgomery Canal Aston Locks – Keepers Bridge , Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Ͳ http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1000275.pdf

Contacts Tree Preservation Orders Ͳ Stephen Shields stephen.shields@shropshire.gov.uk Montgomery SSSI Ͳ Harvey Sherwood Harvey.Sherwood@naturalengland.org.uk RSPB Ͳ Mike Shurmer mike.shurmer@rspb.org.uk

14

11

10

9

8

7

6

1177812 BARN APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES TO EAST OF OLD FARMHOUSE 1295213 SUNDIAL AND STEPS APPROXIMATELY 20 METRES SOUTH OF NAVE OF CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL 1367365 CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL 1054206 BENTLEY MEMORIAL APPROXIMATELY 1 METRE NORTH

1054233 MILESTONE AT NGR II SJ 3487 2503 1307262 LODGE II FARMHOUSE WITH ATTACHED STABLES AND MALTHOUSE 1054235 OLD FARMHOUSE II

5

II

II*

II

II

II

II

II

II

1054197 HIGH HOUSE

3

2

1

II

Page 1 of 5

Grade

4

Name

1367380 MORTON BRIDGE (THAT PART IN WEST FELTON CP) 1307291 MILESTONE AT NGR SJ 3525 2350 1054196 SANDFORD HOUSE FARMHOUSE 1367363 HOME FARMHOUSE

ListEntry

0

FID

02/09/1987

08/10/1959

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

19/01/1952

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

ListDate

West Felton Parish Listed Buildings

Appendix 1: Ͳ West Felton Parish Listed Buildings

Appendices

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

AmendDate

APPENDIX 1

Northing

334116 325242.36084

334114 325225.36084

334119 325199.36084

334362 325170.36084

334342 325166.36084

334268 325154.36084

334863.505 325027.90484

334253 323596.36084

334275 323585.36084

334318 323566.36084

335259.04 323501.73884

331349.24 323192.94484

Easting

15

Name

1054234 WALL II APPROXIMATELY 20 METRES NORTH OF FELTON GRANGE

22

21

1054202 ICE HOUSE AT NGR II SJ 3693 2555 1177799 FELTON GRANGE II

Page 2 of 5

Grade

EAST OF NORTH AISLE OF CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL 1295248 BARN II APPROXIMATELY 15 METRES SOUTH WEST OF MANOR FARMHOUSE 1054203 THREADNEEDLE II COTTAGE 1307270 MANOR II FARMHOUSE AND ATTACHED GARDEN WALL 1367364 THREADNEEDLE II WELL 1054237 OUTBUILDING AND II PRIVY ATTACHED TO WALL TO RIGHT OF MANOR FARMHOUSE 1054201 TEDSMORE HALL II WITH ATTACHED BALUSTRADE, ARCHWAY AND OUTBUILDING 1177790 GRANGE COTTAGE II OLD PLOUGH COTTAGE 1054232 THE BRICK HOUSE II

ListEntry

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

FID

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

19/01/1952

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

17/03/1986

ListDate

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

02/09/1987

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

02/09/1987

AmendDate

APPENDIX 1

Easting

334581 325630.36084

334594 325584.36084

336930 325550.36084

334742 325534.36084

334720 325505.36084

336718 325442.36084

334108 325300.36084

334303 325294.36084

334095 325290.36084

334326 325274.36084

334095 325257.36084

Northing

16

Name

1367379 MILESTONE AT NGR SJ 3417 2643 1177818 HENBARNS FARMHOUSE 1054236 2 BARNS APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES NORTH OF HENBARNS FARMHOUSE 1367382 THE FORDS

27

34

33

32

31

30

29

1178000 PUMP AND BASIN APPROXIMATELY 2 METRES NORTH OF THE FORDS 1054199 DISUSED BARGE HOUSE 1367381 ABBOT'S MOOR FARMHOUSE 1054200 BARN AND ATTACHED WALL APPROXIMATELY 20 METRES NORTH

1178054 THE TWYFORDS

28

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

Page 3 of 5

Grade

AND ATTACHED OUTBUILDING AT SOUTH WEST END 1054205 ARCH WAY IN WALL II APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES EAST OF THE NURSERY 1178060 CIDER PRESS II APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES NORTH EAST OF THE NURSERY 1054204 TWYFORD HOUSE II

ListEntry

26

25

24

23

FID

<null>

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

02/09/1987 02/09/1987

<null>

<null>

AmendDate

30/04/1986

30/04/1986

ListDate

APPENDIX 1

334919 326250.36084

334808 326176.36084

334692 325951.36084

334714 325860.36084

Northing

335819 327106.36084

337383 326948.36084

333984 326816.36084

334302 326685.36084

334312 326674.36084

338037 326602.36084

338039 326556.36084

334168.2 326431.06084

Easting

17

Name

1177740 L SHAPED BARN APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE BUILDINGS FARMHOUSE 1367377 THE BUILDINGS FARMHOUSE 1054231 WOODHOUSE INCLUDING ATTACHED SERVICE RANGE TO NORTH 1177779 WALL ATTACHED TO WEST FRONT OF WOODHOUSE WITH ATTACHED KITCHEN GARDEN WALL INCLUDING OUTBUILDING TO NORTH EAST CORNER 1367378 STABLE BLOCK APPROXIMATELY 50 METRES NORTH OF WOOD HOUSE WITH ATTACHED WALL TO SOUTH

39

43

42

41

40

1054238 SMITHY COTTAGE

EAST OF SUTTON FARMHOUSE 1054198 SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL BRIDGE NUMBER 74 1241464 MONTGOMERY CANAL CANAL WAREHOUSE 1260498 HEATH HOUSE

ListEntry

38

37

36

35

FID

II*

II

II*

II

II

II

II

II

II

Page 4 of 5

Grade

19/01/1952

02/09/1987

19/01/1952

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

02/09/1987

08/07/1992

01/12/1992

02/09/1987

ListDate

02/09/1987

<null>

02/09/1987

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

<null>

AmendDate

APPENDIX 1

Northing

336410 328925.36084

336323 328840.36084

336417 328835.36084

336955 328188.36084

336961 328149.36084

336514 328011.36084

335128.859 327672.39484

335114.614 327638.23884

335096.455 327635.01484

Easting

18

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Name

1177780 PUMP AND BASIN IN YARD TO EAST OF STABLE BLOCK TO NORTH OF WOODHOUSE

ListEntry II

Grade 02/09/1987

ListDate <null>

AmendDate

Easting

Northing 336420 328929.36084

Page 5 of 5

The English Heritage GIS Data contained in this material was obtained on July 2014. The most publicly available up to date English Heritage GIS Data can be obtained from http://www.english-heritage.org.uk.

© English Heritage 2014. © Crown Copyright and database right 2014. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.

44

FID

APPENDIX 1

19

West Felton Village: Ͳ West of the A5

© Crown Copyright and database right 2014. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900

Appendix 2 – Tree Preservation Orders July 2014

APPENDIX 1

20

© Crown Copyright and database right 2014. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900

West Felton Village: Ͳ Nr Whispering Oaks Estate

APPENDIX 1

21

West Felton Village

APPENDIX 1

All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900

Š Crown Copyright and database right 2014.

22

APPENDIX 1

23

APPENDIX 1

24

APPENDIX 1

25

APPENDIX 1

26

APPENDIX 1

27

A Appendix 3 Ͳ Shro opshire Ecological Data Network (SSEDN) 2014

APPENDIX 1

2 28

Archiearis parthenias #N/A #N/A

Orange%Underwing%moth% WhiteIline%Dart Double%Kidney

Arvicola terrestris Lepus europaeus Lutra lutra Meles meles Myotis daubentonii Myotis mystacinus Myotis nattereri Nyctalus noctula Pipistrellus pipistrellus

National National

Boloria selene Lasiommata megera Platycnemis pennipes

Small%PearlIbordered%Fritillary Wall WhiteIlegged%Damselfly

Northern%Water%Vole Brown%Hare Otter Badger Daubenton's%Bat Whiskered%Bat Natterer's% Bat Noctule%Bat Common%Pipistrelle

National National

Bufo bufo Zootoca vivipara

Common%Toad Common%Lizard

Shropshire Shropshire Shropshire National Shropshire

National National National

National National

National National

Shropshire National National National National National National National National Shropshire National

Axiophyte BAP National

Latin Name Alauda arvensis Alcedo atthis Carduelis cabaret Carduelis cannabina Coturnix coturnix Cuculus canorus Emberiza citrinella Emberiza schoeniclus Falco peregrinus Gallinago gallinago Locustella naevia Motacilla flava Muscicapa striata Numenius arquata Passer domesticus Passer montanus Poecile palustris Pyrrhula pyrrhula Tyto alba Vanellus vanellus

Common%Skylark% Common%Kingfisher Lesser%Redpoll Common%Linnet Common%Quail Common%Cuckoo Yellowhammer Reed%Bunting Peregrine% Common%Snipe Common%Grasshopper%Warbler Yellow%Wagtail Spotted%Flycatcher Eurasian%Curlew House%Sparrow Tree%sparrow Marsh%Tit Bullfinch Barn%Owl Lapwing

Common Name

Site Name:- West Felton Parish Ancient and semi natural woodland Yes

Yes

Yes

Neutral grassland and lowland meadow

Lowland and upland acid grassland

APPENDIX 1

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Upland Lowland Standing calcereou Floodplai and Wetland - Wetland - open n grazing lowland s water heathland fen bog grassland marsh

HABITAT INDICATOR

29

Sneezewort Moschatel Silver%HairIgrass Early%HairIgrass Common%Lady'sImantle NarrowIleaved%WaterIplantain Ramsons Bog%Pimpernel Bugloss Wood%Anemone Stinking%Chamomile Lesser%WaterIparsnip Betony Nodding%BurImarigold Trifid%BurImarigold QuakingIgrass Hairy%Brome Flowering%Rush Annual%WaterIstarwort NettleIleaved%Bellflower Common%Yellow%Sedge Tawny%Sedge Pale%Sedge Carnation%Sedge Greater% TussockIsedge Cyperus%Sedge Bottle%Sedge Spiked%Sedge WoodIsedge BladderIsedge WhorlIgrass Greater% Knapweed Little%MouseIear Climbing%Corydalis Wild%Basil Marsh%Cinquefoil Early%MarshIorchid Heath%SpottedIorchid Southern%MarshIorchid HeathIgrass SpurgeIlaurel Wavy%HairIgrass GoldenIscaled%MaleIfern

Soprano%Pipistrelle Brown%LongIeared%Bat Lesser%Horseshoe%Bat

Achillea ptarmica Adoxa moschatellina Aira caryophyllea Aira praecox Alchemilla vulgaris Alisma lanceolatum Allium ursinum Anagallis tenella Anchusa arvensis Anemone nemorosa Anthemis cotula Berula erecta Stachys officinalis Bidens cernua Bidens tripartita Briza media Bromopsis ramosa Butomus umbellatus Callitriche hermaphroditica Campanula trachelium Carex demissa Carex hostiana Carex pallescens Carex panicea Carex paniculata Carex pseudocyperus Carex rostrata Carex spicata Carex sylvatica Carex vesicaria Catabrosa aquatica Centaurea scabiosa Cerastium semidecandrum Ceratocapnos claviculata Clinopodium vulgare Potentilla palustris Dactylorhiza incarnata Dactylorhiza maculata Dactylorhiza praetermissa Cortaderia selloana Daphe laureola Deschampsia flexuosa Dryopteris filix-mas

Pipistrellus pygmaeus Plecotus auritus Rhinolophus hipposideros

Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Shropshire

National National National

Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

APPENDIX 1

Yes Yes Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Yes Yes Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

30

Narrow%BucklerIfern Viper's%Bugloss Needle%SpikeIrush Bearded%Couch Water%Horsetail Spindle Alder%Buckthorn LargeIflowered%HempInettle Sweet%Woodruff Water%Avens WaterIviolet Bluebell Frogbit Marsh%Pennywort Trailing%St%John'sIwort Slender%St%John'sIwort Bristle%ClubIrush Bulbous%Rush BluntIflowered%Rush Yellow%Archangel Henbit%deadnettle Bitter%vetch Fairy%Flax Hairy%WoodIrush Yellow%Loosestrife Water%Purslane Wood%Melick Bogbean Purple%MoorIgrass Changing%ForgetImeInot Common%Twayblade FineIleaved%WaterIdropwort Tubular%WaterIdropwort Common%Restharrow Bee%Orchid Early%purple%orchid Bird'sIfoot WoodIsorrel Marsh%Lousewort Common%Reed Burnet%saxifrage Heath%Milkwort Hard%ShieldIfern Black%Poplar Reddish%pondweed Grasswrack%Pondweed FlatIstalked%Pondweed BluntIleaved%Pondweed

Dryopteris carthusiana Echium vulgare Eleocharis acicularis Elymus caninus Equisetum fluviatile Euonymus europaeus Frangula alnus Galeopsis speciosa Galium odoratum Geum rivale Hottonia palustris Hyacinthoides non-scripta Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Hydrocotyle vulgaris Hypericum humifusum Hypericum pulchrum Isolepis setacea Juncus bulbosus Juncus subnodulosus Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. montanum Lamium amplexicaule Lathyrus linifolius Linum catharticum Luzula pilosa Lysimachia vulgaris Lythrum portula Melica uniflora Menyanthes trifoliata Molinia caerulea Myosotis discolor Listera ovata Oenanthe aquatica Oenanthe fistulosa Ononis repens Ophrys apifera Orchis mascula Ornithopus perpusillus Oxalis acetosella Pedicularis palustris Phragmites australis Pimpinella saxifraga Polygala serpyllifolia Polystichum aculeatum Populus nigra Potamogeton alpinus Potamogeton compressus Potamogeton friesii Potamogeton obtusifolius Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

National

Shropshire

National

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

APPENDIX 1

Strong Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Yes

Strong

Strong

Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong Strong Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

31

Perfoliate% Pondweed LongIstalked% Pondweed Salad% Burnet Bird% Cherry Common% Fleabane Goldilocks% Buttercup FanIleaved% WaterIcrowfoot FanIleaved% WaterIcrowfoot Buckthorn Yellow% rattle Water% Dock Water% Dock Sanicle Common% ClubIrush Field% Madder Corn% Spurrey Greater% Duckweed Field% Woundwort Marsh% Woundwort Greater% Chickweed Devil'sIbit% Scabious SmallIleaved% Lime Hop% Trefoil Marsh% Arrowgrass Yellow% OatIgrass Bilberry Marsh% Valerian Blue% Water% speedwell Pink% Water% speedwell Wood% Speedwell Marsh% Violet Early% DogIviolet Wild% Pansy Horned% Pondweed

Potamogeton perfoliatus Potamogeton praelongus Sanguisorba minor Prunus padus Pulicaria dysenterica Ranunculus auricomus Ranunculus circinatus Ranunculus circinatus Rhamnus cathartica Rhinanthus minor Rumex hydrolapathum Rumex hydrolapathum Sanicula europaea Schoenoplectus lacustris Sherardia arvensis Spergula arvensis Spirodela polyrhiza Stachys arvensis Stachys palustris Stellaria neglecta Succisa pratensis Tilia cordata Trifolium campestre Triglochin palustris Trisetum flavescens Vaccinium myrtillus Valeriana dioica Veronica anagallis-aquatica Veronica catenata Veronica montana Viola palustris Viola reichenbachiana Viola tricolor Zannichellia palustris Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

APPENDIX 1

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Yes

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

Strong

Strong Strong

Strong

32

Appendix 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Land Class

APPENDIX 1

33

Appendix 5: Ͳ West Felton Parish Land Within the Environmental Stewardship Scheme

APPENDIX 1

34