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What is a
Parish Plan?
A Parish
Plan is a way of summarising what local people think about the area they
live in, and what they believe are the priorities for change and
improvement in their town or village and the surrounding villages and
rural areas. It is not an 'official' document - it is produced and
designed by local people. Views were gathered between May and October
2003 in a questionnaire survey and then endorsed through public and
parish meetings.
Most
importantly, however, the Parish Plan sets out actions that should be
taken to tackle these priorities, and it indicates who and when the
actions should be taken by.
The Parish
Plan covers the areas of Chebsey, Eccleshall, Gnosall, Stone and
Swynnerton, with the five Parish and Town Councils working together as
the 'Mid West Stafford Market Towns Partnership' |
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Key issue across the Parish
Plan area |
Percentage of respondents who
said issue was important |
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Shops and
other retail services |
70% |
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Crime and
safety |
60% |
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Public
transport services |
50% |
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Health and
personal care |
48% |
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Traffic,
parking and access |
43% |
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Social
activities, leisure and recreation |
38% |
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Noise,
waste and other nuisances |
32% |
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Wildlife
and natural habitats |
31% |
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Community
buildings and spaces |
29% |
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Housing and
buildings |
22% |
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Others |
18% |
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Historic
sites and features |
15% |
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Businesses
and employment |
15% |
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Community
information |
15% |
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Tourism and
visitors |
7% |
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What will
this Parish Plan achieve?
- This Parish Plan, and
the constituent plans for each parish, will:
- provide a base for
community action and pressure to get things done
- give a set of
measures or targets so people can see what progress is being made.
- inform the planning
process - local authorities and others will understand more clearly
what local people's priorities are. Parish Plans are used by many
different local government and other agencies.
- help attract funding
for agreed actions - funding bids will be supported by information
and priorities in the Parish Plan; and,
- inspire people,
organisations and local agencies to think of new solutions to new
and old problems.
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The main actions focused on in
the plan were:
traffic management
Included in this are concerns across all five parishes about speeding;
heavy goods vehicles using narrow roads or village high streets;
increasing volumes of traffic and congestion; access to business parks;
particular problems related to ‘improvement’ schemes recently undertaken
in the centres of Stone and Eccleshall; fear of accidents and
fatalities; specific issues regarding certain junctions and roads; and,
many people in Eccleshall want a by-pass. Related to this are concerns
about pedestrian dangers. Enhanced street lighting is seen as essential
in certain locations.
retail services
A desire for improved retail facilities and a wider range of shops, in
particular DIY stores, clothes shops, and teashops. The loss of some
traditional retail services, such as bakers and butchers, is a concern.
Some feel that there are too many pubs and restaurants in Stone, but a
greater range of eating places is desired elsewhere. Many people would
like better accessibility to shops for the disabled and those with
pushchairs, together with longer opening hours for village shops. There
is a demand for post offices and boxes where they do not exist and an
opportunity to develop the market and farmers’ market in Stone. Many
young people want some form of ‘fast food’ outlet in their area (and as
a meeting point).
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Additional
facilities (and activities) for
young people Older people
generally want ‘something for the young people to do’ so as not to be
hanging around the streets, whilst younger people want greater choice in
leisure and recreation activities. Both groups highlight the need for
youth activities and facilities of all types, including community centre
developments and improvements – particularly for teenagers. This issue
links to enhanced public transport services to Stafford and Stoke, to
access opportunities elsewhere
crime issues
Fear of crime, and prevention of criminal or illegal activities are
prominent concerns, particularly in Swynnerton and Gnosall. More
visible policing, including community policemen on the beat; a greater
night-time police presence; the use and proper enforcement of
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs); neighbourhood watch schemes; and
wardens - are all mentioned as ways forward.
In Eccleshall top of the list
of priorities was Traffic Management, followed by Parking, Youth
Facilities, Crime issues, Pedestrian issues and Public transport
provision. |
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ACTIONS
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Since
the document was produced the A519 Route Strategy has been published
by the County Council and the Parish Council has submitted comments
and continues to pressurise for improvements to be implemented,
especially at the junction of Green Lane with Newport Road.
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Speedwatch Groups operate regularly in Croxton and Eccleshall.
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Waiting restrictions are enforced by the Community Support Officer.
The Partnership partly funded the purchase of a vehicle and bicycles
for the use of Community Support Officers in the area.
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Completion of the High Street paving was undertaken in 2005.
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Work
on the new the Co-op store is due to commence on June 19th 2006. A
zebra crossing is being designed by the County Council and should be
installed on Stafford Street prior to the completion of the
development.
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Work
to compile a booklet detailing activities available for young people
in the area is currently being carried out by the Partnership.
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